A decoupled system of hyperbolic equations for linearized cosmological perturbations

In this paper we consider second order perturbations of a flat Friedmann-Lema\^{i}tre universe whose stress-energy content is a single minimally coupled scalar field with an arbitrary potential. We derive the general solution of the perturbed Einstein equations in explicit form for this class of models when the perturbations are in the super-horizon regime. As a by-product we obtain a new conserved quantity for long wavelength perturbations of a single scalar field at second ...

We give a concise, self-contained introduction to perturbation theory in cosmology at linear and second order, striking a balance between mathematical rigour and usability. In particular we discuss gauge issues and the active and passive approach to calculating gauge transformations. We also construct gauge-invariant variables, including the second order tensor perturbation on uniform curvature hypersurfaces.

We give a pedagogical review of a covariant and fully non-perturbative approach to study nonlinear perturbations in cosmology. In the first part, devoted to cosmological fluids, we define a nonlinear extension of the uniform-density curvature perturbation and derive its evolution equation. In the second part, we focus our attention on multiple scalar fields and present a nonlinear description in terms of adiabatic and entropy perturbations. In both cases, we show how the form...

We present the complete solution of the first order metric and density perturbation equations in a spatially flat (K=0), Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) universe filled with pressureless ideal fluid, in the presence of cosmological constant. We use covariant linear perturbation formalism and the comoving gauge condition to obtain the field and conservation equations. The solution contains all modes of the perturbations, i.e. scalar, vector and tensor modes, and we show that ...

In this paper, we analyze a two coupled fluids model by investigating several solutions for accelerated universe in flat FRW space-time. One of the fluids can be identified with the matter and the model possesses the standard matter solution also. Beyond the removal of the coincidence problem, we will see how the coupling may change the description of the energy contents of the universe and which features can be aquired with respect to the standard decoupled cases.

Previously defined covariant and gauge-invariant perturbation variables, representing, e.g., the fractional spatial energy density gradient on hypersurfaces of constant expansion, are used to simplify the linear perturbation analysis of a classical scalar field. With the help of conserved quantities on large scales we establish an exact first-order relation between comoving fluid energy density perturbations at `reentry' into the horizon and corresponding scalar field energy ...

This is a review on cosmological perturbation theory. After an introduction, it presents the problem of gauge transformation. Gauge invariant variables are introduced and the Einstein and conservation equations are written in terms of these variables. Some examples, especially perfect fluids and scalar fields are presented in detail. The generation of perturbations during inflation is studied. Lightlike geodesics and their relevance for CMB anisotropies are briefly discussed....

Except for the presence of gravitational wave source term, the relativistic perturbation equations of a zero-pressure irrotational fluid in a flat Friedmann world model coincide exactly with the Newtonian ones to the second order in perturbations. Such a relativistic-Newtonian correspondence is available in a special gauge condition (the comoving gauge) in which all the variables are equivalently gauge invariant. In this work we compare our results with the ones in the synchr...

We present a new covariant, gauge-invariant formalism describing linear metric perturbation fields on any spherically symmetric background in general relativity. The advantage of this formalism relies in the fact that it does not require a decomposition of the perturbations into spherical tensor harmonics. Furthermore, it does not assume the background to be vacuum, nor does it require its staticity. In the particular case of vacuum perturbations, we derive two master equatio...

We discuss several aspects of quantum field theory of a scalar field in a Friedmann universe, clarifying and highlighting several conceptual and technical issues. (A) We show that one can map the dynamics of (1) a massless scalar field in a universe with power law expansion to (2) a massive scalar field in the de Sitter spacetime, which allows us to understand several features of either system and clarifies several issues related to the massless limit. (B) We obtain a useful ...