Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Predictability Time Of Chaotic Cosmologies, John Max Wilson

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

We examine the predictability time scales for a cosmological model from the Einstein field equations coupled to the Klein-Gordon equations for a spin zero scalar field with an interaction potential V(φ). The cosmological equations resulting from this coupling are nonlinear in the scale cosmic parameter and scalar field, thus exhibiting characteristics of chaos. The equations can be linearized in the neighborhood of equilibrium points and then diagonalized to yield its Lyapunov exponents. One e-folding time of the system is then found to estimate the predictability time. This time is compared to the Big Rip time theorized by Yurov, Moruno, and …