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Centro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto

Supernova constraints on spatial variations of the vacuum energy density

P. P. Avelino, J. P. M. de Carvalho, C. J. A. P. Martins

Abstract
We consider a very simple toy model for a spatially varying "cosmological constant", where we are inside a spherical bubble (with a given set of cosmological parameters) that is surrounded by a larger region where these parameters are different. This model includes essential features of more realistic scenarios with a minimum number of parameters. We calculate the luminosity distance in the presence of spatial variations of the vacuum energy density using linear perturbation theory and discuss the use of type Ia supernovae to impose constraints on this type of model. We find that presently available observations are only constraining at very low redshifts, but also provide independent confirmation that the high-redshift supernovae data do prefer a relatively large positive cosmological constant.

Physical Review D
Volume 64, Page 063505
September 2001

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Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences

Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences (IA) is a new but long anticipated research infrastructure with a national dimension. It embodies a bold but feasible vision for the development of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Sciences in Portugal, taking full advantage and fully realizing the potential created by the national membership of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Southern Observatory (ESO). IA resulted from the merging the two most prominent research units in the field in Portugal: the Centre for Astrophysics of the University of Porto (CAUP) and the Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics of the University of Lisbon (CAAUL). It currently hosts more than two-thirds of all active researchers working in Space Sciences in Portugal, and is responsible for an even greater fraction of the national productivity in international ISI journals in the area of Space Sciences. This is the scientific area with the highest relative impact factor (1.65 times above the international average) and the field with the highest average number of citations per article for Portugal.

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