Dark-energy equation of state: how far can we go from \Lambda?

In this paper we calculate the Einstein cosmological constant.Following our results presented in monograph: From quark to bulk matter, we obtain the new formula for the time dependent cosmological constant, lambda. Following the general formula for time dependent lambda, we can describe the history of the cosmological constant

One of the main aims in the next generation of precision cosmology experiments will be an accurate determination of the equation of state (EOS) for the dark energy (DE). If the latter is dynamical, the resulting barotropic index \omega should exhibit a non-trivial evolution with the redshift. Usually this is interpreted as a sign that the mechanism responsible for the DE is related to some dynamical scalar field, and in some cases this field may behave non-canonically (phanto...

We propose a time-varying cosmological constant with a fixed equation of state, which evolves mainly through its interaction with the background during most of the long history of the universe. However, such interaction does not exist in the very early and the late-time universe and produces the acceleration during these eras when it becomes very nearly a constant. It is found that after the initial inflationary phase, the cosmological constant, that we call as lambda paramet...

Observations suggest that nearly seventy per cent of the energy density in the universe is unclustered and exerts negative pressure. Theoretical understanding of this component (`dark energy'), which is driving an accelerated expansion of the universe, is {\it the} problem in cosmology today. I discuss this issue with special emphasis on the cosmological constant as the possible choice for the dark energy. Several curious features of a universe with a cosmological constant ar...

A generalized parameterization $w_\beta(z)$ for the dark energy equation of state (EoS) is proposed and some of its cosmological consequences are investigated. We show that in the limit of the characteristic dimensionless parameter $\beta \to +1, 0$ and -1 some well-known EoS parameterizations are fully recovered whereas for other values of $\beta$ the proposed parameterization admits a wider and new range of cosmological solutions. We also discuss possible constraints on the...

The physical process leading to the acceleration of the expansion of the universe is unknown. It may involve new high energy physics or extensions to gravitation. Calling this generically dark energy, we examine the consistencies and relations between these two approaches, showing that an effective equation of state function w(z) is broadly useful in describing the properties of the dark energy. A variety of cosmological observations can provide important information on the d...

After decades of successful hot big-bang paradigm, Cosmology still lacks a framework in which the early inflationary phase of the universe smoothly matches the radiation epoch and evolves to the present `quasi' de Sitter spacetime. No less intriguing is that the current value of the effective vacuum energy density is vastly smaller than the value that triggered inflation. In this Essay we propose a new class of cosmologies capable of overcoming, or highly alleviating, some of...

We consider a model-independent approach to constrain the equivalence redshift, $z_{eq}$, at which dark energy and the total matter (cold dark matter and baryonic) equate their magnitudes. To this aim, in the context of a homogeneous and isotropic universe, we first consider a generic model where the dark energy contribution is provided by an unknown function of barotropic fluids. Afterwards, we compute the deceleration and jerk parameters, evaluating at our epoch, namely $z=...

The acceleration of the expansion of the universe has deep implications for structure formation, the composition of the universe, and its fate. Roughly 70% of the energy density is in a dark energy, whose nature remains unknown. Mapping the expansion history through supernovae, mapping the geometry of the universe and formation of structure through redshift surveys, and mapping the distance to recombination through the cosmic microwave background provide complementary, precis...

We propose a new equation of state for the Dark Energy component of the Universe. It is modeled on the equation of state $p=w(\rho-\rho_{*})$ which can describe a liquid, for example water. We show that its energy density naturally decomposes into a component that behaves as a cosmological constant and one whose energy density scales as $a^{-3(1+w)}$, and fit the parameters specifying the equation of state to the new SNIa data, as well as WMAP and 2dF data. We find that reaso...