English

Future singularities if the universe underwent Starobinsky inflation in the past

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2017-08-24 v5

Abstract

The effects which quantum fields and an α0R2\alpha_0 R^2 term in the gravitational Lagrangian have on future singularities are investigated. While all values of α0\alpha_0 are considered, an emphasis is placed on those values which are compatible with the universe having undergone Starobinsky inflation in the past. These are also values which lead to stable solutions to the semiclassical backreaction equations in the present universe. The dark energy is modeled as a perfect fluid, and the focus is on type I-IV singularities and little rips which result when the classical Einstein equations are solved with various types of dark energy as a source. First, evidence is provided that the energy densities of massive conformally coupled scalar fields approach that of the conformally invariant scalar field as a type III singularity is approached. Then, solutions to the semiclassical backreaction equations are investigated when conformally invariant fields and the α0R2 \alpha_0 R^2 term in the gravitational Lagrangian are present. General proofs regarding the behaviors of the solutions are given. The proofs are illustrated by analytic and numerical calculations in specific cases.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1607.01699,
  title  = {Future singularities if the universe underwent Starobinsky inflation in the past},
  author = {Eric D. Carlson and Paul R. Anderson and John R. Einhorn and Bradley Hicks and Andrew J. Lundeen},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1607.01699},
  year   = {2017}
}

Comments

Two references and minor changes added to the PRD version, 45 pages, 5 figures