No Arabic abstract
We propose and construct a two-parameter perturbative expansion around a Friedmann-Lema^{i}tre-Robertson-Walker geometry that can be used to model high-order gravitational effects in the presence of non-linear structure. This framework reduces to the weak-field and slow-motion post-Newtonian treatment of gravity in the appropriate limits, but also includes the low-amplitude large-scale fluctuations that are important for cosmological modelling. We derive a set of field equations that can be applied to the late Universe, where non-linear structure exists on supercluster scales, and perform a detailed investigation of the associated gauge problem. This allows us to identify a consistent set of perturbed quantities in both the gravitational and matter sectors, and to construct a set of gauge-invariant quantities that correspond to each of them. The field equations, written in terms of these quantities, take on a relatively simple form, and allow the effects of small-scale structure on the large-scale properties of the Universe to be clearly identified. We find that inhomogeneous structures source the global expansion, that there exist new field equations at new orders, and that there is vector gravitational potential that is a hundred times larger than one might naively expect from cosmological perturbation theory. Finally, we expect our formalism to be of use for calculating relativistic effects in upcoming ultra-large-scale surveys, as the form of the gravitational coupling between small and large scales depends on the non-linearity of Einsteins equations, and occurs at what is normally thought of as first order in cosmological perturbations.
The study of the Universe on ultra-large scales is one of the major science cases for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). The SKA will be able to probe a vast volume of the cosmos, thus representing a unique instrument, amongst next-generation cosmological experiments, for scrutinising the Universes properties on the largest cosmic scales. Probing cosmic structures on extremely large scales will have many advantages. For instance, the growth of perturbations is well understood for those modes, since it falls fully within the linear regime. Also, such scales are unaffected by the poorly understood feedback of baryonic physics. On ultra-large cosmic scales, two key effects become significant: primordial non-Gaussianity and relativistic corrections to cosmological observables. Moreover, if late-time acceleration is driven not by dark energy but by modifications to general relativity, then such modifications should become apparent near and above the horizon scale. As a result, the SKA is forecast to deliver transformational constraints on non-Gaussianity and to probe gravity on super-horizon scales for the first time.
This article derives a multipolar hierarchy for the propagation of the weak-lensing shear and convergence in a general spacetime. The origin of B-modes, in particular on large angular scales, is related to the local isotropy of space. Known results assuming a Friedmann-Lema^itre background are naturally recovered. The example of a Bianchi I spacetime illustrates our formalism and its implications for future observations are stressed.
Model-independent constraints on modified gravity models hitherto exist mainly on linear scales. A recently developed formalism presented a consistent parameterisation that is valid on all scales. Using this approach, we perform model-independent modified gravity $N$-body simulations on all cosmological scales with a time-dependent $mu$. We present convergence tests of our simulations, and we examine how well existing fitting functions reproduce the non-linear matter power spectrum of the simulations. We find that although there is a significant variation in the accuracy of all of the fitting functions over the parameter space of our simulations, the ReACT framework delivers the most consistent performance for the matter power spectrum. We comment on how this might be improved to the level required for future surveys such as Euclid and the Vera Rubin Telescope (LSST). We also show how to compute weak-lensing observables consistently from the simulated matter power spectra in our approach, and show that ReACT also performs best when fitting the weak-lensing observables. This paves the way for a full model-independent test of modified gravity using all of the data from such upcoming surveys.
We perform a combined perturbation and observational investigation of the scenario of non-minimal derivative coupling between a scalar field and curvature. First we extract the necessary condition that ensures the absence of instabilities, which is fulfilled more sufficiently for smaller coupling values. Then using Type Ia Supernovae (SNIa), Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO), and Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) observations, we show that, contrary to its significant effects on inflation, the non-minimal derivative coupling term has a negligible effect on the universe acceleration, since it is driven solely by the usual scalar-field potential. Therefore, the scenario can provide a unified picture of early and late time cosmology, with the non-minimal derivative coupling term responsible for inflation, and the usual potential responsible for late-time acceleration. Additionally, the fact that the necessary coupling term does not need to be large, improves the model behavior against instabilities.
Continuum and HI surveys with the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will allow us to probe some of the most fundamental assumptions of modern cosmology, including the Cosmological Principle. SKA all-sky surveys will map an enormous slice of space-time and reveal cosmology at superhorizon scales and redshifts of order unity. We illustrate the potential of these surveys and discuss the prospects to measure the cosmic radio dipole at high fidelity. We outline several potentially transformational tests of cosmology to be carried out by means of SKA all-sky surveys.