Testing the distance-duality relation with a combination of cosmological distance observations

We propose an accurate test of the distance-duality （DD） relation, η = DL（z）（1 ＋ z）^-2/DA（z） = 1 （where DL and DA are the luminosity distances and angular diameter distances, respectively）, with a combination of cosmological observational data of Type Ia Supernovae （SNe Ia） from the Union2 set and the galaxy cluster sample under an assumption of the spherical model. In order to avoid bias brought on by redshift non-coincidence between observational data and to consider redshift error bars of both clusters and SNe Ia in the analysis, we carefully choose the SNe Ia points which have the minimum acceptable redshift difference of the galaxy cluster sample （│△Z│min = σz,SN ＋σz,cluster）. By assuming η to be a constant and defined as functions of the redshift parameterized by six different expressions, we find that there exists no observable evidence for variations in the DD relation based on the collected data, since related statistical tests are well satisfied within the 1σ confidence level for most cases. Further, considering different values of △z as constraints, we also find that the choice of △z may play an important role in this model-independent test of the DD relation for the spherical sample of galaxy clusters.

Are Type Ia Supernovae Reliable Distance Indicators?

Recent applications of type Ia supernovae （SNe Ia） in cosmology have successfully revealed the accelerating expansion of the universe. However, as distance indicators used in measuring the expansion history of the universe and probing the nature of dark energy, these objects must pass more strict tests. We propose a K-S test to investigate if there exists any systematic bias when deriving the luminosity distances under the standard candle assumption. Two samples, one comprising 71 high-redshift SNe Ia and the other, 44 nearby ones, are used in our investigation. We find that it is likely there exists a bias in the adopted samples, which is probably caused by a systematic error, e.g. in the color parameter used in the luminosity calibration and a bias may be caused by the SN evolution or by varying properties of the dust surrounding the SNe Ia.

Application of a Space-based Optical Interferometer Toward Measuring Cosmological Distances of Quasars

Measuring quasar distance through joint analysis of spectroastrometry and reverberation mapping observations is a new method for driving the development of cosmology.In this paper,we carry out detailed simulation and analysis to study the effect of four basic observational parameters(baseline length,exposure time,equivalent diameter and spectral resolution)on the data quality of differential phase curves(DPCs),and furthermore on the accuracy of distance measurement.In our simulation,we adopt an axisymmetrical disk model of a broad line region(BLR)to generate differential phase signals.We find that the differential phases and their Poisson errors could be amplified by extending the baseline,while the influence of optical path difference errors can be reduced during fitting the BLR model.Longer exposure time or larger equivalent diameter helps reduce the absolute Poisson error.Therefore,the relative error of DPCs could be reduced by increasing any of the above three parameters,then the accuracy of distance measurement could be improved.In contrast,the uncertainty of absolute angular distances(D_(A))could be improved with higher spectral resolution,although the relative error of DPCs would be amplified.We show how the uncertainty of distance measurement varies with the relative error of DPCs.For our specific set of model parameters,without considering more complicated structures and kinematics of BLRs in our simulation,it is found that the relative error of DPCs<20%is a limit for accurate distance measurement.The relative error of DPCs has a lower limit(roughly 5%)and the uncertainty in distance measurement can be better than 2%.

Testing X-ray measurements of galaxy cluster gas mass fraction using the cosmic distance-duality relation

We propose a consistency test for some recent X-ray gas mass fraction （fgas） measurements in galaxy clusters, using the cosmic distance-duality relation, Ttneory = DL（1 ＋ Z）-2/DA, with luminosity distance （DL） data from the Union2 compilation of type Ia supernovae. We set Z/theory = 1, instead of assigning any red- shift parameterizations to it, and constrain the cosmological information preferred by fga8 data along with supernova observations. We adopt a new binning method in the reduction of the Union2 data, in order to minimize the statistical errors. Four data sets of X-ray gas mass fraction, which are reported by Allen et al. （two samples）, LaRoque et al. and Ettori et al., are analyzed in detail in the context of two theoretical models of fgas. The results from the analysis of Alien et al.＇s samples demonstrate the feasibility of our method. It is found that the preferred cosmology by LaRoque et al.＇s sample is consistent with its reference cosmology within the 1σ confidence level. However, for Ettori et al.＇s fgas sample, the inconsistency can reach more than a 3σ confidence level and this dataset shows special preference to an ΩA = 0 cosmology.

Benchmark calculations and error cancelations for bond dissociation enthalpies of X-NO_(2)

Safety plays an important role in determining the applicability of energetic compounds,and the bond dissociation enthalpy(BDE)of the“trigger bond”X-NO_(2) provides useful information to evaluate various safety properties.Accurate and rapid calculation of the BDE of X-NO_(2) is of great significance to perform the high-throughput design of energetic compounds,which becomes an increasingly popular means of materials design.We conduct a benchmark BDE calculation for 44 X-NO_(2) samples extracted from the iBond database,with the accuracies of 55 quantum chemistry calculation levels evaluated by the experimentally measured values.Only four levels have the global mean-absolute deviation(MAD)less than 10 kJ/mol,but no calculation level can achieve that all the local MADs of each category less than 10 kJ/mol.We propose a simple correction strategy for the original calculation deviations,and apply it to 30 calculation levels screened out through a series of accuracy assessments and obtain the corrected MAD<6 kJ/mol in some cases.We define a normalized time-cost(NTC)to evaluate the time-cost of each calculation level,and confirm that PBE0-D3/6-31G^(**)(MAD=6.4 kJ/mol,NTC?0.8)works the best for most cases,followed by M062X/6-31g^(**),M062X/6-311g^(**)andɷB97XD/6-311g^(**),based on an insight into the accuracy-cost trade.The present work provides an accurate and fast solution for calculating XNO_(2) BDE via quantum chemical methods,and is expected to be beneficial to enhance the safety prediction efficiency of energetic compounds.

Method of determining cosmological parameter ranges with samples of candles with an intrinsic distribution

In this paper, the effect of the intrinsic distribution of cosmological candles is investigated. We find that in the case of a narrow distribution the deviation of the observed modulus of sources from the expected central value can be estimated within a ceratin range. We thus introduce lower and upper limits of X^2, X^2min and X^2max to estimate cosmological parameters by applying the conventional minimizing X^2 method. We apply this method to a gammaray burst （GRB） sample as well as to a combined sample including this GRB sample and an SN Ia sample. Our analysis shows that： a） in the case of assuming an intrinsic distribution of candles of the GRB sample, the effect of the distribution is obvious and should not be neglected; b） taking into account this effect would lead to a poorer constraint of the cosmological parameter ranges. The analysis suggests that in the attempt of constraining the cosmological model with current GRB samples, the results tend to be worse than was previously anticipated if the mentioned intrinsic distribution does exist.

Constraining Dark Energy and Cosmological Transition Redshift with Type Ia Supernovae

The property of dark energy and the physical reason for the acceleration of the present universe are two of the most difficult problems in modern cosmology. The dark energy contributes about two-thirds of the critical density of the present universe from the observations of type-Ia supernovae （SNe Ia） and anisotropy of cosmic microwave background （CMB）. The SN Ia observations also suggest that the universe expanded from a deceleration to an acceleration phase at some redshift, implying the existence of a nearly uniform component of dark energy with negative pressure. We use the ＂Gold＂ sample containing 157 SNe Ia and two recent well-measured additions, SNe Ia 1994ae and 1998aq to explore the properties of dark energy and the transition redshift. For a fiat universe with the cosmological constant, we measure ΩM=0.28-0.05^＋0.04 which is consistent with Riess et al. The transition redshift is zT=0.60-0.08^＋0.04. We also discuss several dark energy models that define w（z） of the parameterized equation of state of dark energy including one parameter and two parameters （w（z） being the ratio of the pressure to energy density）. Our calculations show that the accurately calculated transition redshift varies from zT =0.29-0.06^＋0.07 to zT =0.60-0.08^＋0.06 across these models. We also calculate the minimum redshift zc at which the current observations need the universe to accelerate.

Probing model-independent cosmic opacity and its spatial properties

Cosmic opacity and its spatial distribution have been constrained with a model independent method. The average opacity of the universe is not zero, but can be zero in the 1σ error range. The bestfit value of the spatial distribution of cosmic opacity is not a constant as the redshift varies, though a homogeneous and transparent universe is favored in the 2σ error range.

Testing cosmic transparency with the latest baryon acoustic oscillations and type Ia supernovae data

Observations show that Type Ia supernovae （SNe Ia） are dimmer than ex- pected from a matter dominated Universe. It has been suggested that this observed phenomenon can also be explained using light absorption instead of dark energy. However, there is a serious degeneracy between the cosmic absorption parameter and the present matter density parameter Ωm when one tries to place constraints on the cosmic opacity using SNe Ia data. We combine the latest baryon acoustic oscillation （BAO） and Union2 SNe Ia data in order to break this degeneracy. Assuming a fiat ACDM model, we find that, although an opaque Universe is favored by SNe Ia＋BAO since the best fit value of the cosmic absorption parameter is larger than zero, fire = 1 is ruled out at the 99.7% confidence level. Thus, cosmic opacity is not sufficient to account for the present observations and dark energy or modified gravity is still re- quired.

Dependence of low redshift Type Ia Supernovae luminosities on host galaxies

We study the relation between Type Ia Supernovae （SNe Ia） and properties of their host galaxies using a large sample with low redshift. By examining the Hubble residuals of the entire sample from the best-fit cosmology, we show that SNe Ia in passive hosts are brighter than those in star-forming hosts after light curve correction at the 2. 1σ confidence level. We find that SNe Ia in high luminosity hosts are brighter after light-curve correction at the 〉 3σ confidence level. We also find that SNe Ia in large galaxies are brighter after light-curve correction at the ≥2σ confidence level. We demonstrate that the residuals depend linearly on host luminosity at a confidence of 4or or host size at a confidence of 3.3σ.

The Peak Luminosity of Type Ia Supernovae and its Implications for the Cosmic Expansion Rate

Supernovae of type Ia (SNe Ia) are confirmed to be the best distance indicators to derive the cosmic expansion rate. The dispersion of their peak luminosity at optical bands (BVI) is approximate to 0.13 mag, after taking into account the effects of the second parameters (i.e., the Antial decline rate m15(B) and (B - V) color at maximum light). The local calibrations from HST indicate an absolute magnitude of 19.48 ± 0.08mag (in V band) for SNe Ia in spiral galaxies. The current expansion rate, Ho, is found to be 63.6 ± 1.8 (random) ±5.7 (systematic) kms-1 Mpc-1. This Value will decrease by 3% when the metallicity effect on the cepheid distances is considered. In addition, a marginal local outward flow of 4.0 ± 4.5% within the velocity-distance of 7000 km s-1 can be inferred from SNe Ia for the Einstein-de Sitter universe; however, this outward flow is only 2.2 ± 4.4% for an accelerating expansion universe (which is supported by high-z SNe Ia).

Concordance of Kinematics and Lensing of Elliptical Galaxies with WMAP Cosmology

We explore degeneracies in strong lensing model so to make time delay data consistent with the WMAP （Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe） cosmology. Previous models using a singular isothermal lens often yield a time delay between the observed multiple images too small than the observed value if we ＂hardwire＂ the now widely quoted post-WMAP ＂high＂ value of the Hubble constant （Ho ～71 ± 4km s^-1 Mpc^-1）. Alternatively, the lens density profile （star plus dark matter） is required to be locally steeper than r-2 （isothermal） profile near the Einstein radius （of the order 3 kpc） to fit the time delays; a naive extrapolation of a very steep profile to large radius would imply a lens halo with a scale length of the order only 3 kpc, too compact to be consistent with CDM. We explore more sophisticated, mathematically smooth, positive lens mass density profiles which are consistent with a large halo and the post-WMAP H0. Thanks to the spherical monopole degeneracy, the ＂reshuffling＂ of the mass in a lens model does not affect the quality of the fit to the image positions, amplifications, and image time delays. Even better, unlike the better-known mass sheet degeneracy, the stellar mass-to-light and the H0 value are not affected either. We apply this monopole degeneracy to the quadruple imaged time-delay system PG 1115＋080. Finally we discuss the implications of the time delay data on the newly proposed relativistic MOND theory.

Mitigation effects on the reflected overpressure of blast shock with water surrounding an explosive in a confined space

The mitigation of blast shock with water has broad application prospects. Understanding the mitigation effects on the reflected overpressure of the explosion shock with water surrounding an explosive in a confined space is of great significance for military explosives safety applications. To estimate the effects of the parameters on the reflected overpressure of blasted shock wave, a series of experiments were carried out in confined containers with spherical explosives immersed in a certain thickness of water,and numerical simulations were conducted to explore the corresponding mechanisms. The results reveal that the reflected overpressure is abnormally aggravated at a small scaled distance. This aggravation is due to the high impulse of the bulk accelerated water shell converted from the explosion. With increasing scaled distance, the energy will be gradually dissipated. The mitigation effects will appear with the dispersed water phase front impacting at a larger scaled distance, except in the case of a dense water phase state. A critical scaled distance range of 0.7-0.8 m/kg^(1/3) for effective mitigation was found. It is suggested that the scaled distance of space walls should be larger than the critical value for a certain water-to-explosive weight ratio range(5-20).

Response of masonry systems against blast loading

In this paper eight successive experimental blast tests with an increasing TNT equivalent charge weights ranging from 0.56 kg to 17.78 kg were conducted on unreinforced,ferrocemented overlay masonry and confined masonry walls.The pressure-time history caused by the blast was recorded by pressure sensors installed on the test specimen.The resulting damage pattern was observed during each test.Weak zones in the three systems of masonry were identified.Scaled distances for different damage levels in the three masonry systems were experimentally obtained.The results provide a basis for determining the response of each masonry system against blast loading.Consequently,efficiency of ferrocemented overlay masonry and confined masonry was found established in mitigation against blast loads.

Revisiting progenitor-age dependence of type Ia supernova luminosity standardization process

Much of the research in supernova cosmology is based on an assumption that the peak luminosity of type Ia supernovae(SNe Ia),after a standardization process,is independent of the galactic environment.A series of recent studies suggested that there is a significant correlation between the standardized luminosity and the progenitor age of SNe Ia.The correlation found in the most recent work by Lee et al.[Mon.Not.R.Astron.Soc.517,2697(2022)]is strong enough to explain the extra dimming of distant SNe Ia and therefore casts doubts on the direct evidence of cosmic acceleration.The present work incorporates the uncertainties of progenitor ages,which were ignored in Lee et al.,into a fully Bayesian inference framework.We find a weaker dependence of supernova standardized luminosity on the progenitor age,but the detection of correlation remains significant(3.5σ).Assuming that such correlation can be extended to high redshift and applying it to the Pantheon SN Ia data set,we confirm that when the Hubble residual does not include intrinsic scatter,the age-bias could be the primary cause of the observed extra dimming of distant SNe Ia.Furthermore,we use the PAge formalism,which is a good approximation to many dark energy and modified gravity models,to do a model comparison.We find that if intrinsic scatter is included in the Hubble residual,the Lambda cold dark matter model remains a good fit.However,in a scenario without intrinsic scatter,the Lambda cold dark matter model faces a challenge.

A possible resolution of tension between Planck and Type Ia supernova observations

There is an apparent tension between cosmological parameters obtained from Planck cosmic microwave background radiation observations and that derived from the observed magnitude-redshift relation for the type Ia supernova （SNe Ia）. Here, we show that the tension can be alleviated, if we first calibrate, with the help of the distance-duality relation, the light-curve fitting parameters in the distance estimation in SNe Ia observations with the angular diameter distance data of the galaxy clusters and then re-estimate the distances for the SNe Ia with the corrected fitting parameters. This was used to explore their cosmological implications in the context of the spatially fiat cosmology. We find a higher value for the matter density parameter, Ωm, as compared to that from the original SNLS3, which is in agreement with Planck observations at 68.3% confidence. Therefore, the tension between Planck measurements and SNe Ia observations regarding Ωm can be effectively alleviated without invoking new physics or resorting to extensions for the standard concordance model. Moreover, with the absolute magnitude of a fiducial SNe Ia, M, determined first, we obtained a constraint on the Hubble constant with SNLS3 alone, which is also consistent with Planck.

Local probes strongly favor ΛCDM against power-law and Rh=ct universe

We constrain three cosmological models - the concordance cold dark matter plus cosmological constant（ΛCDM） model, the power-law（PL） model, and the Rh =ct model - using the available local probes, which include the JLA compilation of type-Ia supernovae（SNe Ia）, the direct measurement of the Hubble constant（Hz）, and the baryon acoustic oscillations（BAO）. For the ΛCDM model, we consider two different cases, i.e. zero and non-zero spatial curvature. We find that by using the JLA alone, the ΛCDM and PL models are indistinguishable, but the Rh =ct model is strongly disfavored. If we combine JLA＋Hz, the ΛCDM model is strongly favored over the other two models. The combination of all three datasets supports ΛCDM as the best model. We also use the low-redshift（z 〈0.2） data to constrain the deceleration parameter using the cosmography method, and find that only the ΛCDM model is consistent with cosmography. However, there is no strong evidence to distinguish between flat and non-flatΛCDM models by using the local data alone.