Calcluating the Hubble Radius for an open universe?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the Hubble Radius for an open, dust-filled universe using the Friedmann Equation. The original attempt to derive the Hubble Radius, R=c/H(t), encounters issues, particularly in integrating variables x and t, which are not independent. Participants identify mistakes in the integration process and suggest alternative approaches, including using WolframAlpha for calculations. The correct relationship involves recognizing the hyperbolic cotangent of x/2 rather than x. The conversation concludes with a focus on deriving the particle horizon from the established relationships.
CharlesB
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Given the following parametric form of the Friedmann Equation for an open, dust-filled (matter-dominated) universe:
a(x)={a_0 \Omega \over 2(1-\Omega)}(cosh(x)-1)

t(x)={\Omega \over 2 H_0 (1- \Omega)^{3/2}}(sinh(x)-x)

I am trying to calculate the Hubble Radius, R=c/H(t) where H(t)=(da/dt)/a and have come up with the following solution:

{da \over dt} = {da \over dx} {dx \over dt}

{da \over dx}={a_0 \Omega \over 2(1-\Omega)}sinh(x)

{dt \over dx}={\Omega \over 2H(1- \Omega)^{3/2}}(cosh(x)-1)

{da \over dt}=Ha_0(1-\Omega)^{1/2}coth({x \over 2})

Integrate to find a:

a=Ha_0(1-\Omega)^{1/2}coth({x \over 2})t

{{da \over dt} \over a}={1 \over t}

Therefore, the Hubble Radius:

R_H={c a \over ({da \over dt})}=ct

I just can't seem to find any references to this solution, so I don't know if it is actually correct.
Can anyone confirm?
 
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Could you please enclose the latex in [noparse][/noparse] tags?

e.g.

[noparse]{dy \over dx} = x[/noparse]
 
Chalnoth said:
Could you please enclose the latex in [noparse][/noparse] tags?

e.g.

[noparse]{dy \over dx} = x[/noparse]

Sorry, fixed now.
 
CharlesB said:
Sorry, fixed now.
Thanks!

Unfortunately, I don't think it's correct. The step after "Integrate to find a:" appears to be wrong. Basically, x and t are not independent variables, so you can't integrate a function which includes x over t without first substituting x as a function of t.

Edit: Looks like a potential solution may be:

\int f(x)dt = \int {f(x) \over {dx \over dt} } {dx \over dt} dt = \int {f(x) \over {dx \over dt} } dx
 
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Thanks, I thought that might have been the case. Any ideas how to get a solution for a then?
 
CharlesB said:
Thanks, I thought that might have been the case. Any ideas how to get a solution for a then?
Heh, you replied too fast :) I think the edit in my above post may be a way to go.
 
Tricky. Thanks for your help!
 
CharlesB said:
Tricky. Thanks for your help!
Heh, just realized that doesn't actually get you anywhere, because it just gives a(x), which you already have!

I also think I've noticed another mistake, where you say da/dt is proportional to the hyperbolic cotangent. I don't think this is the case, as it looks like you've dropped the -1 in dt/dx.

Anyway, you should be able to get the Hubble radius as a function of x no problem. Getting it as a function of t analytically may not be possible.
 
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CharlesB said:
Yeah, I realized it was pretty stupid to integrate da/dt since I already had a(x). And I just used WolframAlpha to get coth(x/2), http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=d/dx(cosh(x)-1)*(1/(d/dx(sinh(x)-x))). It's probably just as easy to use sinh(x)/{cosh(x) -1}.

Now to get the particle horizon!
Oh, I see, it's the hyperbolic cotangent of x/2, not x. That makes sense now. For some reason I missed the division by 2 before. Obviously they're using some interesting trigonometric identities to get that answer.
 
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