We review analytical solutions of the Einstein equations which are expressed in terms of elementary functions and describe Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker universes sourced by multiple (real or effective) perfect fluids with constant equations of state. Effective fluids include spatial curvature, the cosmological constant, and scalar fields. We provide a description with unified notation, explicit and parametric forms of the solutions, and relations between different expressions present in the literature. Interesting solutions from a modern point of view include interacting fluids and scalar fields. Old solutions, integrability conditions, and solution methods keep being rediscovered, which motivates a review with modern eyes.
In Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker cosmology, it is sometimes possible to compute analytically lookback time, age of the universe, and luminosity distance versus redshift, expressing them in terms of a finite number of elementary functions. We classify these situations using the Chebyshev theorem of integration and providing examples.
Formal analogies between the ordinary differential equations describing geophysical flows and Friedmann cosmology are developed. As a result, one obtains Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of these equations, while laboratory experiments aimed at testing geophysical flows are shown to constitute analogue gravity systems for cosmology.
Formal analogies between the ordinary differential equations describing geophysical flows and Friedmann cosmology are developed. As a result, one obtains Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations of these equations, while laboratory experiments aimed at testing geophysical flows are shown to constitute analogue gravity systems for cosmology.
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