Alternatives to current dark energy models

Abstract

The envisioned characteristics of a multi-component, inhomogeneous ``cosmological plasma" model are considered whose heavier visible component consists of ``loaded galaxy clusters". These include the optically observed clusters of galaxies, the characteristic electromagnetic radiation (X-rays) emitting plasmas associated with them, whose mass is larger or comparable to that of the galaxies, and the containing dark matter. The other visible component consists of the lighter but far more numerous ``field galaxies". A third component is the ``pervading dark matter" in which the visible components are immersed. On this basis, an energy transport equation, involving a ``dark wind", is proposed for the accelerating expansion energy of the multi-component plasma, rather than a homogeneous, ``dark energy" equation of state. This is in analogy to transport equations based on processes relevant to laboratory and space plasmas that are not in thermal equilibrium and for which equations of state cannot be formulated.