Work

New approach to the evolution of cosmological perturbations on large scales

Year: 2000

Type: article

Abstract: We discuss the evolution of linear perturbations about a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker background metric, using only the local conservation of energy momentum. We show that on sufficiently large scales the curvature perturbation on spatial hypersurfaces of uniform density is conserved when the non-adiabatic pressure perturbation is negligible. This is the first time that this result has been demonstrated independently of the gravitational field equations. A physical picture of long-wavelength perturbations as being composed of separate Robertson-Walker universes gives a simple understanding of the possible evolution of the curvature perturbation, in particular clarifying the conditions under which super-horizon curvature perturbations may vary.

Source: Physical review. D. Particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology/Physical review. D. Particles and fields

DOI: 10.1103/physrevd.62.043527

Authors: David Wands, Karim A. Malik, David H. Lyth, Andrew R. Liddle

Institutions: University of Portsmouth, Lancaster University, University of Sussex, Imperial College London

Language: English

Topic: Cosmology and Gravitation Theories

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Royal Society

OpenAlex ID: W2086160589

FWCI: 11.15

Cites: 33

Cited by: 836

Related to: 10