Journal article

Relativistic scalar fields and the quasi-static approximation in theories of modified gravity

Abstract:: Relativistic scalar fields are ubiquitous in modified theories of gravity. An important tool in understanding their on structure formation, especially in the context of N-body simulations, is the quasistatic approximation in which the time evolution of perturbations in the scalar fields is discarded. We show that this approximation must be used with some care by studying linearly perturbed scalar field cosmologies and quantifying the errors that arise from taking the quasistatic limit. We focus on f(R) and chameleon models and link the accuracy of the quasistatic approximation to the fast/slow-roll behavior of the background and its proximity to ΛCDM. Investigating a large range of scales, from super- to subhorizon, we find that slow-rolling (ΛCDM-like) backgrounds generically result in good quasistatic behavior, even on (super-)horizon scales. We also discuss how the approximation might affect studying the nonlinear growth of structure in numerical N-body simulations.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

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APA Style

Noller, J., von Braun-Bates, F., & Ferreira, P. (2014). Relativistic scalar fields and the quasi-static approximation in theories of modified gravity. Physical Review D, 89(2), 023521.

MLA Style

Noller, J., et al. “Relativistic Scalar Fields and the Quasi-Static Approximation in Theories of Modified Gravity.” Physical Review D, vol. 89, no. 2, American Physical Society, 2014, p. 023521.

Chicago Style

Noller, J, F von Braun-Bates, and P Ferreira. 2014. “Relativistic Scalar Fields and the Quasi-Static Approximation in Theories of Modified Gravity.” Physical Review D 89 (2): 023521.
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Files:: Relativistic_scaler_fields_Noller_(2014).pdf

(Preview, Accepted manuscript, pdf, 896.1KB, Terms of use)

Publisher copy:: 10.1103/PhysRevD.89.023521

Authors

+ Noller, J More by this author

Institution:: University of Oxford
Division:: MPLS
Department:: Physics
Sub department:: Astrophysics
Role:: Author

+ von Braun-Bates, F More by this author

Institution:: University of Oxford
Division:: MPLS
Department:: Physics
Sub department:: Astrophysics
Role:: Author

+ Ferreira, P More by this author

Institution:: University of Oxford
Division:: MPLS
Department:: Physics
Sub department:: Astrophysics
Role:: Author

Publisher:: American Physical Society
Journal:: Physical Review D More from this journal
Volume:: 89
Issue:: 2
Pages:: 023521
Publication date:: 2014-01-27
DOI:: 10.1103/PhysRevD.89.023521
EISSN:: 1550-2368
ISSN:: 1550-7998

Keywords:: astro-ph.CO

gr-qc
UUID:: uuid:e564d8bf-1b32-403d-bd91-00c31a7abb17
Local pid:: pubs:435886
Source identifiers:: 435886
Deposit date:: 2014-05-10

Terms of use

Copyright holder:: American Physical Society
Copyright date:: 2014
Notes:: This is the accepted manuscript version of the article. The final version is available online from the publisher at: 10.1103/PhysRevD.89.023521

Licence:: Terms and Conditions of Use for Oxford University Research Archive

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