Acceleration of the Universe via f(R) Gravities and The Stability of Extra Dimensions

We analyze the stability of the Einstein static universe by considering homogeneous scalar perturbations in the context of f(R) modified theories of gravity. By considering specific forms of f(R), the stability regions of the solutions are parameterized by a linear equation of state parameter w=p/rho. Contrary to classical general relativity, it is found that in f(R) gravity a stable Einstein cosmos with a positive cosmological constant does indeed exist. Thus, we are lead to...

A fundamental criterion of viability of any gravity theory is existence of a stable ground-state solution being either Minkowski, dS or AdS space. Stability of the ground state is independent of which frame is physical. In general, a given theory has multiple ground states and splits into independent physical sectors. All metric gravity theories with the Lagrangian being a function of Ricci tensor are dynamically equivalent to Einstein gravity with a source and this allows us...

The present work shows that a combination of nonlinear contribution from the Ricci curvature in Einstein field equations can drive a late time acceleration of expansion of the universe. The transit from the decelerated to the accelerated phase of expansion takes place smoothly without having to resort to a study of asymptotic behaviour. This result emphasizes the need for thorough and critical examination of models with nonlinear contribution from the curvature.

We consider a modified gravity theory, f(R)=R-a/R^n+bR^m, in the metric formulation, which has been suggested to produce late time acceleration in the Universe, whilst satisfying local fifth-force constraints. We investigate the parameter range for this theory, considering the regimes of early and late-time acceleration, Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and fifth-force constraints. We conclude that it is difficult to find a unique range of parameters for consistency of this theory.

We analyze the evolution of a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker spacetime within the framework of $f(R)$ metric gravity using an exponential model. We show that $f(R)$ gravity may lead to a vanishing effective cosmological constant in the far future (i.e. $R\rightarrow 0$) and yet produce a transient accelerated expansion at present time with a potentially viable cosmological history. This is in contrast with several $f(R)$ models which, while viable, produce in general a non-vanish...

We study the evolution of linear cosmological perturbations in f(R) models of accelerated expansion in the physical frame where the gravitational dynamics are fourth order and the matter is minimally coupled. These models predict a rich and testable set of linear phenomena. For each expansion history, fixed empirically by cosmological distance measures, there exists two branches of f(R) solutions that are parameterized by B propto d^2 f/dR^2. For B<0, which include most of th...

Modified gravity theories have received increased attention lately to understand the late time acceleration of the universe. This viewpoint essentially modifies the geometric components of the universe. Among numerous extension to Einstein's theory of gravity, theories which include higher order curvature invariant, and specifically the class of $f(R)$ theories, have received several acknowledgments. In our current work we try to understand the late time acceleration of the u...

A review of the new of the problem of dark energy using modified gravity approach is considered. An explanation of the difficulties facing modern cosmology is given and different approaches are presented. We show why some models of gravity may suffer of instabilities and how some are inconsistent with observations.

We review on the viability of $F(R)$-gravity. We show that recent cosmic acceleration, radiation/matter-dominated epoch and inflation could be realized in the framework of $F(R)$-gravity in the unified way. For some classes of $F(R)$-gravity, the correction to the Newton law is extremely small and there is no so-called matter instability (the very heavy positive mass for additional scalar degree of freedom is generated). The reconstruction program in modified gravity is also ...

In this paper we propose that the accelerating expansion of the present matter-dominated universe, as suggested by the recent distance measurements of type Ia supernovae, is generated along with the evolution of space in extra dimensions. The Einstein equations are first analyzed qualitatively and then solved numerically, so as to exhibit explicitly these patterns of the accelerating expansion in this scenario. A fine-tuning problem associated with such a scenario is also des...