 Constant-equation-of-state comoving density equation

For a flat single-fluid background with constant barotropic equation of state, $w\ne -1/3$, adiabatic perturbations and zero anisotropic stress, $a\propto {\eta }^{2/(1+3w)}$ and $a^2\bar{\rho }\propto {\eta }^{-2}$. The scalar potential obeys ${\varphi }^{\prime \prime }+[6(1+w)/(1+3w)]{\varphi }^{\prime }/\eta -w{\nabla }^2\varphi =0$. Substituting the Poisson constraint $\Delta \propto {\eta }^2{\nabla }^2\varphi$ gives the displayed equation. The homogeneous mode and the degenerate vacuum fluid $w=-1$ require separate interpretation.