International Journal of Modern Physics D

We review old and recent results on a special limit of string theory on $Ad{S}_3\times M_7$ with pure NS–NS fluxes: the limit in which the string length ${\ell }_s=\sqrt{{\alpha }^{\prime }}$ equals the $Ad{S}_3$ radius $R$. At this point of the moduli space, the theory exhibits special properties, which we discuss. Special attention is focused on features of correlation functions that are related to the noncompactness of the boundary CFT target space, and on how these features change when the point $k\equiv R^2/{\alpha }^{\prime }=1$ is approached. Also, we briefly review the recent proposals for exact realizations of AdS/CFT correspondence at this special point.

We study a braneworld Randall–Sundrum type II (RSII) model using the Hamilton–Jacobi formalism. We extend the standard inflationary parameters and the flow equations for this braneworld scenario. We investigate the conditions that reduce the infinite number of flow equations into a finite number and confirm that by considering one of the inflationary parameters that vanishes, the Hubble expansion rate gets a polynomial form in both General Relativity (GR) and in the high-energy regime of RSII. We also show that if one sets this inflationary parameter to a constant value, the model features a nonpolynomial form of the Hubble expansion rate. The form of the Hubble parameter in this case is different in GR and RSII. Next, we consider a single-scalar field model with a Hubble expansion rate behaving as $H\propto {\varphi }^n$ and show that compared to GR, the RSII model has a smaller tensor-to-scalar ratio and larger spectral index for $n>1$. Therefore, RSII model leads to better predictions than GR.

Cosmological models, stemming from the extension of the “special relativity (SR) with a privileged frame” to general relativity (GR), are developed and fitted to the observational data. The framework termed “SR with a privileged frame” incorporates the privileged frame into SR while retaining the fundamental spacetime symmetry which, in the standard SR, manifests itself as Lorentz invariance. The correspondingly modified GR, like the standard GR, is based on the equivalence principle but with the properly modified spacetime local symmetry in which an invariant combination differs from the Minkowski interval of the standard SR. Applying the modified GR to cosmology yields the luminosity distance — redshift relation corrected such that the observed deceleration parameter can be negative as it is obtained from the data for Type Ia supernovae. Thus, the observed negative values of the deceleration parameter can be explained within the matter-dominated Friedman–Robertson–Walker (FRW) cosmological model of the universe without introducing the dark energy. A number of other observations, such as Baryon Acoustic Oscillations and Cosmic Microwave Background, also can be well fit to the cosmological model arising from the GR based on the SR with a privileged frame.

In this work, we construct a noncommutative version of the Friedmann equations in the framework of effective loop quantum cosmology, extending and applying the ideas presented in a previous proposal by some of the authors. The model under consideration is a flat FRW spacetime with a free scalar field. First, noncommutativity in the momentum sector is introduced. We establish the noncommutative equations of motion and obtain the corresponding exact solutions. Such solutions indicate that the bounce is preserved, in particular, the energy density is the same as in the standard LQC. We also construct an extension of the modified Friedmann equations arising in effective LQC which incorporates corrections due to noncommutativity, and argue that an effective potential is induced. This, in turn, leads us to investigate the possibility of an inflationary era. Finally, we obtain the Friedmann and the Raychaudhuri equations when implementing noncommutativity in the configuration sector. In this case, no effective potential is induced.

These notes provide a detailed catalog of surface charge formulas for different classes of gravity theories. The present catalog reviews and extends the existing literature on the topic. Part of the focus is on reviewing the method to compute quasi-local surface charges for gauge theories in order to clarify conceptual issues and their range of applicability. Many surface charge formulas for gravity theories are expressed in metric, tetrads-connection, Chern–Simons connection, and even BF variables. For most of them, the language of differential forms is exploited and contrasted with the more popular metric components language. The gravity theory is coupled with matter fields as scalar, Maxwell, Skyrme, Yang–Mills, and spinors. Furthermore, three examples with ready-to-download notebook codes, show the method in full action. Several new results are highlighted through the notes.

In this paper, we explore decoupled anisotropic interior solutions for static sphere using extended gravitational decoupling technique in $f({𝒢})$ gravity. We choose Tolman-IV solution as the isotropic interior source describing compact spherical geometry and extend its domains to determine two anisotropic models using some physical constraints. We test physical acceptability of both models for the compact star PSRJ1416-2230 through physical parameters, energy bounds and causality condition. It is observed that both models are physically viable as well as stable. It is also found that the first star model becomes more dense at its core as compared to the second for a small increase in the coupling constant $\xi$.

In this study, we investigate the effects of the one- and two-parameters deformed systems on the Friedmann equations of the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) universe by using the entropic gravity approach in the framework of the early universe era. We give simplified forms for the deformed Unruh temperature and Einstein field equations for three different deformed systems. Based on these compact equations, we derive the Friedmann equations with the effective gravitational and cosmological terms.

We investigate the multi-band properties of the GRB 161017A with $z=2.013$, which was detected by Swift and Fermi satellites, and other instruments. The optical and X-ray afterglows were all detected at early times after the prompt emission. The optical light curve shows a very bright onset peak at about 100 s for 13 mag of $R$-band, while the X-ray light curve occurs several flares at the beginning. We investigate the origin of X-ray and optical afterglows by analyzing the optical and X-ray data. Considering the smooth onset bump in the early time of the optical band and the erratic pulses for the X-ray lightcurve, we suppose that the early optical afterglow may be produced by the external shock, while the early time of X-ray light curve is dominated by flares. Therefore, GRB optical afterglows with smooth onset bump features at early time are possibly produced by external — forward shock (FS). According to the fireball external-model, the temporal slopes of the onset bumps are determined by both the medium density profile and the electron spectral index. Therefore, the afterglow onset bumps would be an ideal probe to study the properties of the fireball and the circumburst medium. The density profile has a slope of $k=0.74\pm 0.08$, which suggests that the circumburst environment of the GRB 161017A would be an intermediate regime that are between the homogeneous interstellar medium (ISM) and wind-type medium. In addition, the optical light curve of the GRB 161017A exhibits a plateau feature and rebrightening after the onset bump, which may be related to the long-acting central engine of GRBs.