Entropic cosmology in a dissipative universe

Abstract

The bulk viscosity of cosmological fluid and the creation of cold dark matter both result in the generation of irreversible entropy (related to dissipative processes) in a homogeneous and isotropic universe. To consider such effects, the general cosmological equations are reformulated, focusing on a spatially flat matter-dominated universe. A phenomenological entropic-force model is examined that includes constant terms as a function of the dissipation rate ranging from $\tilde{\mu} =0$, corresponding to a nondissipative $\Lambda$CDM (lambda cold dark matter) model, to $\tilde{\mu} =1$, corresponding to a fully-dissipative CCDM (creation of cold dark matter) model. A time evolution equation is derived for the matter density contrast, in order to characterize density perturbations in the present entropic-force model. It is found that the dissipation rate affects the density perturbations even if the background evolution of the late universe is equivalent to that of a fine-tuned pure $\Lambda$CDM model. With increasing dissipation rate $\tilde{\mu}$, the calculated growth rate for the clustering gradually deviates from observations, especially at low redshifts. However, the growth rate for low $\tilde{\mu}$ (less than 0.1) is found to agree well with measurements. A low-dissipation model predicts a smaller growth rate than does the pure $\Lambda$CDM model (for which $\tilde{\mu} =0$). More detailed data are needed to distinguish the low-dissipation model from the pure $\Lambda$CDM one.