Thesis

Modified gravity: Astrophysical and cosmological applications

• Call:

  PT-CERN Call 2021/1

• Academic Year:

  2021

• Domain:

  Astroparticle Physics

• Supervisor:

  Francisco Lobo

• Co-Supervisor:

  João Rosa

• Institution:

  FCUL (Universidade de Lisboa)

• Host Institution:

  IA - Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço

• Abstract:

  Phenomena like inflation, structure formation and late-time cosmic accelerated expansion need further explanation. Although current models favour the existence of dark energy and dark matter, tensions between observational data begin to arise. Modified theories of gravity could resolve these problems. This project aims to explore existing modified theories of gravity, with regard to current and future experimental data, in order to test their viability. This theoretical work will consider generalized scalar-tensor and vector-tensor theories, f(R), f(R,T), and modified Gauss-Bonnet f(G) theories. Brane-world accelerated cosmologies and dynamical dark energy models will also be studied. A successful project would mean uncovering further aspects of these theories, exploring issues of the extra degrees of freedom, and identifying further constraints. It could lead to the rejection of some theories or the proposal of new ones and, ultimately, to better understanding of cosmological data.