Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: We give a rigorous and mathematically well defined presentation of the covariant and gauge invariant theory of scalar perturbations of a Friedmann-Lema\^{\i}tre-Robertson-Walker universe for fourth order gravity, where the matter is described by a perfect fluid with a barotropic equation of state. The general perturbations equations are applied to a simple background solution of ${R}^{n}$ gravity. We obtain exact solutions of the perturbations equations for scales much bigger than the Hubble radius. These solutions have a number of interesting features. In particular, we find that for all values of $n$ there is always a growing mode for the density contrast, even if the universe undergoes an accelerated expansion. Such behavior does not occur in standard general relativity, where as soon as dark energy dominates, the density contrast experiences an unrelenting decay. This peculiarity is sufficiently novel to warrant further investigation of fourth order gravity models.
Authors: S. Carloni, P. K. S. Dunsby, A. Troisi
Language: Latvian
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2057737710