University of
Notre Dame
College of
Science
Department of
Physics

 

Astrophysics Seminar

 

Effects of Structure Formation on the Expansion Rate of the Universe: a Realistic Estimate Direct from N-body Simulations

 

 

Xinghai Zhao
University of Notre Dame

 

 

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - 12:30 p.m.   NSH 184

 

General relativistic corrections to the expansion rate of the universe arise when the Einstein equations are averaged over a spatial volume in a locally inhomogeneous cosmology. It has been suggested that they may contribute to the observed cosmic acceleration. In this talk, we propose a new scheme that enables us to use N-body simulations to make a realistic estimate of the magnitude of these corrections for general inhomogeneities in (3+1) spacetime. We then quantitatively calculate the volume averaged modified expansion rate using the N-body simulation code Gadget_2 and compare it with the expansion rate in a standard FRW cosmology. We will also discuss its possible impacts on the cosmological observables.

 

All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.