Search Talks

The Horndeski program is motivated by arguing that scalar-tensor modifications to gravity should have two properties: effective interactions that are at most second-order in time derivatives and only a single scalar. I will argue against both of these criteria. First I argue why the low-energy limit of known well-behaved theories can have more than two-derivative field equations. Second I argue why the scalar-tensor interactions most likely to be found competing with gravity at very low energies typically are those with two derivatives, at least when semiclassical methods are justified, and this suggests exploring multiple-scalar models.

I extend EFT of inflation/dark energy to arbitrary background with timelike scalar profile. In this framework a set of consistency relations among EFT coefficients ensures the spatial diffeo invariance. Some applications to will also be discussed.

We study the weak-gravity regime of higher-order scalar-tensor theories that are degenerate in the unitary gauge. In a certain subset of theories analogous to Lorentz-violating scalar-tensor theories, we show that the Vainshtein mechanism due to nonlinear derivative interactions does not work. For this family of theories we determine all the PPN parameters in terms of the EFT of dark energy parameters and discuss the experimental bounds.

We present key cosmological findings from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI)’s first year baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) measurements. DESI's BAO provide robust measurements of the transverse comoving distance and Hubble rate across seven redshift bins, spanning a redshift range of 0.1 < z < 4.2. DESI BAO data alone align well with the flat ΛCDM model with Ωm=0.295±0.015. Paired with a baryon density prior from Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and the acoustic angular scale from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) data, we find H0=68.52±0.62 km/s/Mpc. Combined analyses with CMB anisotropies and lensing from Planck and ACT yield Ωm=0.307±0.005 and H0=67.97±0.38 km/s/Mpc. Extending the baseline model with a constant dark energy equation of state parameter, w, results in w=−0.99+0.15−0.13. In a dark energy model with time-varying equation of state parametrized by w0 and wa, combined with various supernovae data, indicate deviations from ΛCDM at significance levels up to 3.9σ. For flat ΛCDM with the sum of neutrino mass free, DESI and CMB establish an upper limit of ∑ mν <0.072 (0.113) at 95% confidence for a ∑mν>0 (0.059) eV prior. We will also show forecasts for Y3 and Y5 results as well as prospects with DESI II.

We present a model that modifies general relativity on cosmological scales, specifically by having a 'glitch' in the gravitational constant between the cosmological (super-horizon) and Newtonian (sub-horizon) regimes. This gives a single-parameter extension to the standard ΛCDM model, which is equivalent to adding a dark energy component, but where the energy density of this component can have either sign. Fitting to data from the Planck satellite, we find that negative contributions are, in fact, preferred. Additionally, we find that roughly one percent weaker superhorizon gravity can somewhat ease the Hubble and clustering tensions in a range of cosmological observations. Therefore, the extra parametric freedom offered by our model deserves further exploration, and we discuss how future observations may elucidate this potential cosmic glitch in gravity, through a four-fold reduction in statistical uncertainties.

Measurements of the large-scale distribution of matter in the Universe are one of our primary tools for testing the predictions of general relativity on cosmological scales. I will describe how we pursue this using data from galaxy imaging surveys, focusing on Dark Energy Survey galaxy clustering and weak lensing analyses as an example. I will highlight results from the DES Year 3 analysis that are relevant for testing gravity, some practical aspects of extending survey analyses beyond ΛCDM, as well as ongoing work to address these challenges to prepare for future surveys.

I will introduce mochi_class, a refined version of the popular Einstein-Boltzmann solver hi_class optimised for calculations within Horndeski's gravity framework. Thanks to (i) a re-parametrisation of Horndeski functions, (ii) a numerically stable quasi-static approximation, and (iii) support for time-dependent inputs, mochi_class enhances hi_class capabilities and nicely complements other public Einstein-Boltzmann solvers. Additionally, I will present a non-parametric approach that, when integrated with Principal Component Analysis, can effectively reconstruct Horndeski functions from well-studied modified gravity models, extending the exploration of scalar-tensor theories beyond conventional parametrisations. I will conclude by highlighting practical applications where mochi_class can prove instrumental in analysing current and forthcoming large-scale structure data.

We present a comprehensive joint analysis of two distinct methodologies for measuring the masses of galaxy clusters: hydrostatic measurements and caustic techniques. We show that by including cluster-specific assumptions obtained from hydrostatic measurements in the caustic method, the potential mass bias between these approaches can be significantly reduced. While this may appear to diminish the caustic method as a technique independent of the dynamical state of a cluster, it provides a means to refine mass constraints and offers an avenue for scrutinizing modifications to gravity. Applying this approach to two well-observed massive galaxy clusters A2029 and A2142, we find no discernible mass bias, affirming the method's validity. We draw a similar conclusion when applying this approach to modified gravity models. Specifically, our implementation allows us to investigate Chameleon and Vainshtein screening mechanisms, enhancing our understanding of these modified gravity scenarios. Furthermore, we explore the prospect of achieving more precise constraints with fewer systematic errors by exclusively employing the caustic method to constrain screening mechanisms on a larger scale, encompassing several hundred stacked galaxy clusters.

Since the discovery of the accelerated expansion of the universe, significant progress has been made to develop modified gravity theories as alternatives to dark energy and these have been developed into tests of General Relativity itself via cosmological observations. These models share common properties such as screening mechanisms they use to evade the stringent Solar System tests. In this talk, I will review recent status of observational tests of screened modified gravity models and discuss the prospect of cosmological tests of gravity from ongoing surveys such as Euclid.

The coming years will see an amazing increase in data on the large-scale structure of the Universe, ushering in a new phase for "precision cosmology". One of the major questions in fundamental physics concerns the nature of the dark energy, and the new data may help to shed light on this issue. But in order to unlock the full power of the future data to test alternative models like Horndeski Gravity, we need theoretical predictions that are as accurate as the new observations on all scales, including non-linear scales. In my presentation I will introduce our relativistic N-body code for cosmological simulations, gevolution, and how we are using it to look at non-linear effects in the Universe. In particular I will discuss our k-essence simulations, how to use them for cosmology, and what can happen when dark energy clustering becomes non-linear in models with low speed of sound.