We study holographic superconductors in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity. We consider two particular backgrounds: a d-dimensional Gauss-Bonnet-AdS black hole and a Gauss-Bonnet-AdS soliton.We discuss in detail the effects that the mass of the scalar field, the Gauss-Bonnet coupling and the dimensionality of the AdS space have on the condensation formation and conductivity. We also study the ratio ωg/Tc for various masses of the scalar field and Gauss-Bonnet couplings.

Presently there is preliminary observational evidence that the cosmological constant might be non zero, and hence that our Universe is eternally accelerating (de Sitter). This poses fundamental problems for string theory, since a scattering matrix is not well defined in such Universes. In a previous paper we have presented a model, based on (non-equilibrium) non-critical strings, which is characterized by eventual "graceful" exit from a de Sitter phase. The model is based on a type-0 string theory, involving D3 brane worlds, whose initial quantum fluctuations induce the non criticality. We argue in this article that this model is compatible with the current observations. A crucial rôle for the correct "phenomenology" of the model is played by the relative magnitude of the flux of the five form of the type 0 string to the size of five of the extra dimensions, transverse to the direction of the flux-field. We do not claim, at this stage at least, that this model is a realistic physical model for the Universe, but we find it interesting that the model cannot be ruled out immediately, at least on phenomenological grounds.

Abstract:We study the cosmology of the Randall-Sundrum brane-world where the Einstein-Hilbert action is modified by curvature correction terms: a four-dimensional scalar curvature from induced gravity on the brane, and a five-dimensional Gauss-Bonnet curvature term. The combined effect of these curvature corrections to the action removes the infinite-density big bang singularity, although the curvature can still diverge for some parameter values. A radiation brane undergoes accelerated expansion near the minimal scale factor, for a range of parameters. This acceleration is driven by the geometric effects, without an inflaton field or negative pressures. At late times, conventional cosmology is recovered.

Abstract:We study certain bi-scalar-tensor theories emanating from conformal symmetry requirements of Horndeski's four-dimensional action. The former scalar is a Galileon with shift symmetry whereas the latter scalar is adjusted to have a higher order conformal coupling. Employing techniques from local Weyl geometry certain Galileon higher order terms are thus constructed to be conformally invariant. The combined shift and partial conformal symmetry of the action, allow us to construct exact black hole solutions. The black holes initially found are of planar horizon geometry embedded in anti de Sitter space and can accommodate electric charge. The conformally coupled scalar comes with an additional independent charge and it is well-defined on the horizon whereas additional regularity of the Galileon field is achieved allowing for time dependence. Guided by our results in adS space-time we then consider a higher order version of the BBMB action and construct asymptotically flat, regular, hairy black holes. The addition of the Galileon field is seen to cure the BBMB scalar horizon singularity while allowing for the presence of primary scalar hair seen as an independent integration constant along-side the mass of the black hole.

We study the cosmological evolution of a type-0 string theory by employing noncriticality, which may be induced by fluctuations of the D3 brane worlds. We check the consistency of the approach to O(α ′ ) in the corresponding σ-model. The ten-dimensional theory is reduced to an effective four-dimensional model, with only time dependent fields.We show that the four-dimensional universe has an inflationary phase and graceful exit from it, while the other extra dimensions are stabilized to a constant value, with the fifth dimension much larger than the others. We pay particular attention to demonstrating the rôle of tachyonic matter in inducing these features. The Universe asymptotes, for large times, to a non-accelerating linearly-expanding Universe with a time-dependent dilaton and a relaxing to zero vacuum energy a lá quintessence.