Related papers: How Much NEC Breaking Can the Universe Endure?
Although well motivated from theoretical arguments, the cosmological constant \emph{barrier}, i.e., the imposition that the equation-of-state parameter of dark energy ($\omega_x \equiv p_x/\rho_x$) is $\geq -1$, seems to introduce bias in…
We study the Null Energy Condition (NEC) arising from the Virasoro constraint on the string worldsheet. We then analyze how the NEC in the external spacetime directions emerges under general time-dependent string compactifications. Finally,…
In this dissertation, the nature of Dark Energy (DE) is examined from both theoretical and phenomenological perspectives. The possibility of DE being a dynamic quantity in quantum field theory (QFT) in curved spacetime is studied. The…
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) second data release shows a moderate preference for dark energy with a time-varying equation of state parameter, suggesting that the standard $\Lambda$CDM model may need to be revised. In…
New observational constraints on the cosmic matter density $\Omega_m$ and an effectively redshift-independent equation of state parameter $w_x$ of the dark energy are obtained while simultaneously testing the strong and null energy…
New Early Dark Energy (NEDE) is a component of vacuum energy at the electron volt scale, which decays in a first-order phase transition shortly before recombination [arXiv:1910.10739]. The NEDE component has the potential to resolve the…
Quantum field theory allows for the suppression of vacuum fluctuations, leading to sub-vacuum phenomena. One of these is the appearance of local negative energy density. Selected aspects of negative energy will be reviewed, including the…
The presence of dark energy in the Universe is inferred directly and indirectly from a large body of observational evidence. The simplest and most theoretically appealing possibility is the vacuum energy density (cosmological constant).…
The null energy condition (NEC) is a cornerstone of general relativity, and its violation could leave observable imprints in the cosmic gravitational wave spectrum. Theoretical models suggest that NEC violations during inflation can amplify…
In loop quantum cosmology nonperturbative modification to a scalar matter field at short scales implies inflation which also means a violation of the strong energy condition. In the framework of effective Hamiltonian we discuss the issue of…
Physics invites the idea that space contains energy whose gravitational effect approximates that of Einstein's cosmological constant, Lambda; nowadays the concept is termed dark energy or quintessence. Physics also suggests the dark energy…
The Quantum Null Energy Condition (QNEC) relates energy to the second variation of entropy in relativistic quantum field theory. We use the QNEC inequality to bound entanglement entropy in quenches. At early times the entanglement entropy…
It is extraordinary that a number of observations indicate that we live in a spatially flat, low matter density Universe, which is currently undergoing a period of accelerating expansion. The effort to explain this current state has focused…
We study nanohertz gravitational waves relevant to pulsar timing array experiments from quantum fluctuations in the early universe with null energy condition (NEC) violation. The NEC violation admits accelerated expansion with the scale…
Observations restrict the parameter space of Holographic Dark Energy (HDE) so that a turning point in the Hubble parameter $H(z)$ is inevitable. Concretely, cosmic microwave background (CMB), baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) and Type Ia…
The formalism in order to obtain the Dark Energy equation of state is extended to non-flat universes and we consider the inequalities that must be satisfied by Phantom Dark Energy in this case. We show that due to a non-vanishing spatial…
I consider some of the issues we face in trying to understand dark energy. Huge fluctuations in the unknown dark energy equation of state can be hidden in distance data, so I argue that model-independent tests which signal if the…
In this work we consider quantum electromagnetic fields in an expanding universe. We start by reviewing the difficulties found when trying to impose the Lorenz condition in a time-dependent geometry. Motivated by this fact, we explore the…
The equation of state of dark energy is investigated to determine how much it may deviate from the equation of state of the cosmological constant (CC). Two aspects of the problem are studied: the "expansion" around the vacuum equation of…
The issue of the vacuum energy of quantum fields is briefly reviewed. It is argued that this energy is normally either much too large or much too small to account for the dark energy, However, there are a few proposals in which it would be…