Cited by 162Cosmology and Gravitation TheoriesNoncommutative and Quantum Gravity TheoriesBlack Holes and Theoretical Physics

Nonlocal gravity. Conceptual aspects and cosmological predictions

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Belgacem, Enis, Dirian, Yves, Foffa, Stefano, Maggiore, Michele·2018·Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

Abstract

Even if the fundamental action of gravity is local, the corresponding quantum effective action, that includes the effect of quantum fluctuations, is a nonlocal object. These nonlocalities are well understood in the ultraviolet regime but much less in the infrared, where they could in principle give rise to important cosmological effects. Here we systematize and extend previous work of our group, in which it is assumed that a mass scale Λ is dynamically generated in the infrared, giving rise to nonlocal terms in the quantum effective action of gravity. We give a detailed discussion of conceptual aspects related to nonlocal gravity (including causality, degrees of freedom, ambiguities related to the boundary conditions of the nonlocal operator, scenarios for the emergence of a dynamical scale in the infrared) and of the cosmological consequences of these models. The requirement of providing a viable cosmological evolution severely restricts the form of the nonlocal terms, and selects a model (the so-called RR model) that corresponds to a dynamical mass generation for the conformal mode. For such a model: (1) there is a FRW background evolution, where the nonlocal term acts as an effective dark energy with a phantom equation of state, providing accelerated expansion without a cosmological constant. (2) Cosmological perturbations are well behaved. (3) Implementing the model in a Boltzmann code and comparing with observations we find that the RR model fits the CMB, BAO, SNe, structure formation data and local H 0 measurements at a level statistically equivalent to ΛCDM. (4) Bayesian parameter estimation shows that the value of H 0 obtained in the RR model is higher than in ΛCDM, reducing to 2.0σ the tension with the value from local measurements. (5) The RR model provides a prediction for the sum of neutrino masses that falls within the limits set by oscillation and terrestrial experiments (in contrast to ΛCDM, where letting the sum of neutrino masses vary as a free parameter within these limits, one hits the lower bound). (6) Gravitational waves propagate at the speed of light, complying with the limit from GW170817/GRB 170817A.

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Crossref · 10.1088/1475-7516/2018/03/002

Cites

96 of 96 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Some modified gravity models reduce or alleviate the tension in the Hubble parameter.

    “As we discuss further below in some of the sub-sections (see e.g., Sects. 9.7 and 9.9), some authors find that some modified gravity models reduce or alleviate the tension in the Hubble parameter (see e.g., Barreira et al. 2014a; Belgacem et al. 2018b).”

    From Testing general relativity in cosmology (2019) · cites this paper as Belgacem et al. 2018b

  • The ghost-like feature of the field U in this case is only classical, with no associated quanta nor instability when quantizing the theory.

    “The good news is that the ghost-like feature of the field in this case is only classical with no associated quanta nor instability when quantizing the theory.”

    From Testing general relativity in cosmology (2019) · cites this paper as Belgacem et al. (2018b)

  • In the minimal nonlocal gravity model, the flatness condition allows one to derive the mass parameter m, as in ΛCDM for the cosmological constant.

    “Interestingly, just like for in the CDM model, in the model, the flatness condition allows one to derive the mass parameter m.”

    From Testing general relativity in cosmology (2019) · cites this paper as Belgacem et al. (2018b)

  • The Deser-Woodard model can be adjusted to fit well the background accelerating expansion with no need for a dark energy component, although in a non-predictive way.

    “It is possible to adjust their model so it can fit well the background accelerating expansion with no need for a dark energy component (Woodard 2014), although in a non-predictive way state (Belgacem et al. 2018b).”

    From Testing general relativity in cosmology (2019) · cites this paper as Belgacem et al. 2018b

  • The classical instability of the field U is responsible for the observed late-time cosmic acceleration.

    “On the contrary, the classical instability is a plus and would be responsible for the observed late-time cosmic acceleration.”

    From Testing general relativity in cosmology (2019) · cites this paper as Belgacem et al. (2018b)

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Authors
Belgacem, E., Dirian, Y., Foffa, S., & Maggiore, M.
Affiliations
University of Geneva (CH)
Venue
Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Published
2018-03-05
Volume
2018
Issue
03
Pages
002-002
ISSN
  • 1475-7508 (ISSN-L)
  • 1475-7516
OpenAlex
W2776650608
Cited by
161
References
95
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 48 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 15
FWCI
15.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Funders
  • National Centres of Competence in Research SwissMAP
  • Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Nuclear and High Energy Physics › Black Holes and Theoretical Physics
Keywords
nonlocal gravity, effective action, conformal mode, dark energy, phantom equation of state, cosmic acceleration, cosmological perturbations, Hubble tension, sum of neutrino masses, gravitational wave speed, causality, Boltzmann code

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