We discuss correlation properties of a general mass density field introducing a classification of structures based on their complexity. Standard cosmological models for primordial mass fluctuations are characterized by a sort of large-scale stochastic order, that we call super-homogeneity to highlight the fact that mass fluctuations increase as a function of scale in the slowest-possible way for any stochastic mass field. On the other hand, the galaxy spatial distribution show complex structures with a high degree of inhomogeneity and fractal-like spatial correlations up to some relevant cosmological scale. The theoretical problem of cosmological structure formation should then explain the growth of strongly correlated and non-linear structures from the very uniform field of density fluctuations given as standard initial condition.
Complexity in cosmic structures
Andrea Gabrielli
2004
Abstract
We discuss correlation properties of a general mass density field introducing a classification of structures based on their complexity. Standard cosmological models for primordial mass fluctuations are characterized by a sort of large-scale stochastic order, that we call super-homogeneity to highlight the fact that mass fluctuations increase as a function of scale in the slowest-possible way for any stochastic mass field. On the other hand, the galaxy spatial distribution show complex structures with a high degree of inhomogeneity and fractal-like spatial correlations up to some relevant cosmological scale. The theoretical problem of cosmological structure formation should then explain the growth of strongly correlated and non-linear structures from the very uniform field of density fluctuations given as standard initial condition.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.


