Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2001 iii Paper 67 4 iii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
In deep radiation domination, and . Neglect against the radiation gravity source, so the supplied CDM density equation in a matter-radiation universe becomesOn superhorizon scales omit the pressure-gradient term. Under adiabatic initial conditions, then givesThe Euler-Cauchy equation characteristic polynomial is , soThese are the general growing and decaying adiabatic solutions in this approximation. A regular primordial growing mode discards the divergent solution. Although its conformal-time growth is again quadratic, now , rather than in matter domination.
If “general” is taken without imposing adiabaticity, both independent relative-entropy integration constants must also be retained. The gradient-free radiation equation givesSubstitution into the matter equation producesThis is the general solution of the leading supplied coupled system, described by the superhorizon radiation-era entropy integration constants. Setting both and to zero recovers the adiabatic result. Regularity and the full initial Einstein field equations constraints can further restrict which of these leading solutions represents a prescribed physical initial mode.
On scales well inside the horizon, radiation pressure drives oscillations at frequency approximately . Their amplitude is bounded at leading order, and their gravitational forcing of a slowly varying matter contrast can be averaged away. With this approximation, as well as negligible matter self-gravity,hence the logarithmic CDM growth after radiation-era horizon entry isThis is the Mészáros effect. It does not mean that itself vanishes. For a rapidly oscillating source , the matter equation has a particular responseIts leading second derivative reproduces ; the remaining terms are smaller by powers of . Thus the suppressed cold-matter forcing by rapid radiation oscillations is only order and does not change the secular logarithm. Radiation forcing near horizon entry determines and cannot be averaged away there. Neither this smoothing approximation nor the neglect of matter gravity remains uniformly valid near equality.