We construct solutions, for small values of $G$ and angular frequency $Ω$, of special relativistic scalar gravity coupled to ideally elastic matter which have helical but no stationary or axial symmetry. They correspond to a body without any symmetries in steady rotation around one of its axes of inertia, or two bodies moving on a circle around their center of gravity. Our construction is rigorous, but modulo an unproved conjecture on the differentiability of a certain functional.
Within a scalar model theory of gravity, where the interaction between particles is given by the half-retarded + half-advanced solution of the scalar wave equation, we consider an N-body problem: we investigate configurations of N particles which form an equilateral N-angle and are in helical motion about their common center. We prove that there exists a unique equilibrium configuration and compute the equilibrium radius explicitly in a post-Newtonian expansion.
The periodic standing wave approach to binary inspiral assumes rigid rotation of gravitational fields and hence helically symmetric solutions. To exploit the symmetry, numerical computations must solve for ``helical scalars,'' fields that are functions only of corotating coordinates, the labels on the helical Killing trajectories. Here we present the formalism for describing linearized general relativity in terms of helical scalars and we present solutions to the mixed partial differential equations of the linearized gravity problem (and to a toy nonlinear problem) using the adapted coordinate…
We investigate properties of solutions of the scalar wave equation and Maxwell's equations on Minkowski space with helical symmetry. Existence of local and global solutions with this symmetry is demonstrated with and without sources. The asymptotic properties of the solutions are analyzed. We show that the Newman--Penrose retarded and advanced scalars exhibit specific symmetries and generalized peeling properties.
We study the inflationary generation of helical magnetic fields from the Riemann coupling with the electromagnetic field. Most models in the literature introduce non-minimal coupling to the electromagnetic fields with a scalar field, hence, breaking the conformal invariance. In this work, we show that non-minimal coupling to the Riemann tensor generates sufficient primordial helical magnetic fields at all observable scales. We explicitly show that one of the helical states decay while the other helical mode increases, leading to a net non-zero helicity. Our model has three key features:~(i) th…
One often resorts to a non-minimal coupling of the electromagnetic field in order to generate magnetic fields during inflation. The coupling is expected to depend on a scalar field, possibly the same as the one driving inflation. At the level of three-point functions, such a coupling leads to a non-trivial cross-correlation between the perturbation in the scalar field and the magnetic field. This cross-correlation has been evaluated analytically earlier for the case of non-helical electromagnetic fields. In this work, we numerically compute the cross-correlation for helical magnetic fields. No…
Stationary, asymptotically flat black holes in scalar-tensor theories of gravity are studied. It is shown that such black holes have no scalar hair and are the same as in General Relativity.
We discuss a class of teleparallel scalar-torsion theories of gravity, which is parametrized by five free functions of the scalar field. The theories are formulated covariantly using a flat, but non-vanishing spin connection. We show how the actions of different theories within this class are related via conformal transformations of the tetrad and redefinitions of the scalar field, and derive the corresponding transformation laws for the free function in the action. From these we construct a number of quantities which are invariant under these transformations, and use them to write the action …
We discuss a generic form of the scalar potential appearing in the geometric scalar theory of gravity. We find the conditions on the potential by considering weak and strong gravity. The modified black hole solutions are obtained for generic potentials and the inverse problems on a black hole and on a spherical body (`pseudo-gravastar') are investigated.
The analysis of certain singularities in scalar-tensor gravity contained in a recent paper is completed, and situations are pointed out in which these singularities cannot occur.
A role of the scalar-matter direct coupling in the evolution of scalar-tensor gravity was studied. If the coupling functions in the generalized scalar-tensor gravity satisfy a definite equation the scalar-tensor gravity is reduced to Einstein's tensor gravity. We consider the issue in Jordan frame and then Einstein frame. It is shown that the coupling strength in the right hand side of the master equation obtained in Damour and Nordtvedt(1993) must be added by a coupling strength $\hatβ$ which characterizes the scalar-matter direct coupling. If a minimum of potential $\ln C(φ)$ does not coinci…
We study the dynamical description of gravity, the appropriate definition of the scalar field energy-momentum tensor, and the interrelation between them in scalar-tensor theories of gravity. We show that the quantity which one would naively identify as the energy-momentum tensor of the scalar field is not appropriate because it is spoiled by a part of the dynamical description of gravity. A new connection can be defined in terms of which the full dynamical description of gravity is explicit, and the correct scalar field energy-momentum tensor can be immediately identified. Certain inequalities…
Critical collapse in tensor-multi-scalar gravity theories is studied, and found that for any given target space all the theories conformally related belong to the same universal class. When only one scalar field is present, the universality is extended to include a class of non-linear gravity theories.
The scalar-tensor representation of nonlocally corrected gravity is considered. Some special solutions of the vacuum background equations were obtained that indicate to the nonequivalence of the initial theory and its scalar-tensor representation.
Wehus and Ravndal have argued that in d + 1 dimensions the general solution for gravity minimally coupled to a scalar field can not be explicitly written in Schwarzschild coordinates. We contest these objections.
A combined variable theory of gravity and scalar field is developed under ADM formulation by redefining new canonical conjugate variables (Φ, Π). It is a dynamical theory of the space-matter with implicit time dependence. Quantizing this new field theory results in quantization of geometry and scalar field combined.
In this paper we quantize the Klein--Gordon scalar field coupled to gravity in the instanton representation for spatially homogeneous variables. The construction provides a well-defined Hilbert space of states for generic self-interaction potential V, with a direct link to the semiclassical limit below the Planck scale. Additionally, we compute the Hamilton's equations of motion for this model, performing various consistency checks on the quantum theory.
Nordstrom's theory of gravity, which describes gravity by a scalar field in flat spacetime, is observationally ruled out. It is however the only theory of gravity with General Relativity to obey the strong equivalence principle. I show in this paper that this remarkable property is true beyond post-newtonian level and can be related to the existence of a 'Nordstrom-Katz' superpotential.
The canonical theory of gravity together with the scalar field is written as a combined variable theory in ADM form, in the classical and quantum theory. FLRW $κ= 0$ cosmology is rewritten in the combined variable theory.
We consider the Wheeler-De Witt equation for canonical quantum gravity coupled to massless scalar field. After regularizing and renormalizing this equation, we find a one-parameter class of its solutions.
We reformulate the recently proposed regularized version of Lovelock gravity in four dimensions as a scalar-tensor theory. By promoting the warp factor of the internal space to a scalar degree of freedom by means of Kaluza-Klein reduction, we show that regularized Lovelock gravity can be described effectively by a certain subclass of the Horndeski theory. Cosmological aspects of this particular scalar-tensor theory are studied. It is found that the background with a scalar charge is generically allowed. The consequences of this scalar charge are briefly discussed.
A stochastic background of relic gravitational waves is achieved by the so called adiabatically-amplified zero-point fluctuations process derived from early inflation. In principle, it provides a distinctive spectrum of relic gravitational waves. In the framework of scalar-tensor gravity, we discuss the scalar modes of gravitational waves and the primordial production of this scalar component which is generated beside tensorial one. We discuss also the upper limit for such a relic scalar component with respect to the WMAP constraints.
The modified gravity with 1/R term (R being scalar curvature) and the Einstein-Hilbert term is studied by incorporating the phantom scalar field. A number of cosmological solutions are derived in the presence of the phantom field in the perfect fluid background. It is shown the current inflation obtained in the modified gravity is affected by the existence the phantom field.
The quantization of the Hamiltonian for a scalar field is performed in the framework of Quantum Reduced Loop Gravity. We outline how the regularization can be performed by using the analogous tools adopted in full Loop Quantum Gravity and the matrix elements of the resulting operator between basis states are analytic coefficients. These achievements open the way for a consistent analysis of the Quantum Gravity corrections to the classical dynamics of gravity in the presence of a scalar field in a cosmological setting.
We present a geometric scalar theory of gravity. Our proposal will be described using the "background field method" introduced by Gupta, Feynman and others as a field theory formulation of general relativity. We analyze previous criticisms against scalar gravity and show how the present proposal avoids these difficulties. This concerns not only the theoretical complaints but also those related to observations. In particular, we show that the widespread belief of the conjecture that the source of scalar gravity must be the trace of the energy-momentum tensor - which is one of the main difficult…
We construct a group field theory model for quantum gravity minimally coupled to relativistic scalar fields, defining as well a corresponding discrete gravity path integral (and, implicitly, a coupled spin foam model) in its Feynman expansion. We also analyze a number of variations of the same model, the corresponding discrete gravity path integrals, its generalization to the coupling of multiple scalar fields and discuss its possible applications to the extraction of effective cosmological dynamics from the full quantum gravity formalism, in the context of group field theory condensate cosmol…
A generalization of the Hawking-Hayward quasilocal mass to scalar-tensor gravity is compared, in vacuo and for asymptotically flat stationary geometries, with a recent multipole expansion of the gravitational field. The quasilocal mass seen at spatial infinity coincides with the monopole term, lending credibility to this construct.
The main results are reviewed of relating the scalar field of noncompactified Kaluza-Klein gravity to the Higgs field of particle physics. The embedding of 4D spacetime in a 5D manifold can result in a variable cosmological 'constant' and particle masses tiny compared to the Planck value.
We study some aspects of three-dimensional gravity by extending Jackiw's scalar theory to (2+1)-dimensions and find a black hole solution. We show that in in general this teory does not possess a Newtonian limit except for special metric configurations.
We consider modified $f(R)$ gravity with a kinetic curvature scalar as a chiral self-gravitating model in a spherically symmetric spacetime. Most attention devoted to finding solutions for special case of scaling transformation when modified gravity transforms to Einstein frame from Jordan one. We proposed the method of determination of kinetic function for given scalar field dependence on space coordinate. New classes of solutions are found for special choice of $f(R)$ function.
Linearized gravitational waves in Brans-Dicke and scalar-tensor theories carry negative energy. A gauge-invariant analysis shows that the background Minkowski space is stable at the classical level with respect to linear scalar and tensor inhomogeneous perturbations.
We examine the compatibility of the Einstein minimally coupled self-interacting scalar field theory with the local tests of gravity. We find that apart from the trivial case of the Schwarzschild-de Sitter solution with constant scalar field the theory does not admit any other static solution, which is consistent with the solar system tests of gravity.
A spin-foam model is derived from the canonical model of Loop Quantum Gravity coupled to a massless scalar field. We generalized to the full theory the scheme first proposed in the context of Loop Quantum Cosmology by Ashtekar, Campiglia and Henderson, later developed by Henderson, Rovelli, Vidotto and Wilson-Ewing.
We derive a family of exact solutions for bi-metric gravity with an exchange symmetry between the two metrics. In this two-parameter family of solutions the gravitational field is sourced by a time-independent massless scalar field. We find that the only limit in which the scalar field entirely vanishes is flat space. The regular Schwarzschild-solution is left with a scalar field hidden in the second metric's sector.
Within the scope of $f(R,\,T)$ gravity we have studied the interacting scalar and electromagnetic fields in a Bianchi type I universe. It was found that if the study is confined to the case $f(R,\,T) = R + λf(T)$, the system is completely given by the equations similar to Einstein gravity. Moreover, the present study imposes some severe restrictions on the field equations as well.
A short overview of black hole entropy in alternative gravitational theories is presented. Motivated by the recent attempts to explain the cosmic acceleration without dark energy, we focus on metric and Palatini f(R) gravity and on scalar-tensor theories.
We consider an approach to Brans-Dicke theory of gravity in which the scalar field has a geometrical nature. By postulating the Palatini variation, we find out that the role played by the scalar field consists in turning the space-time geometry into a Weyl integrable manifold. This procedure leads to a scalar-tensor theory that differs from the original Brans-Dicke theory in many aspects and presents some new features.
We discuss and expand a new approach to the thermodynamics of scalar-tensor gravity and its diffusion toward general relativity (seen as an equilibrium state) proposed in a previous Letter [Phys. Rev. D 103, L121501 (2021)], upon which we build. We describe scalar-tensor gravity as an effective dissipative fluid and apply Eckart's first order thermodynamics to it, obtaining explicitly effective quantities such as heat flux, "temperature of gravity", viscosities, entropy density, plus an equation describing the "diffusion" to Einstein gravity. These quantities, still missing in the usual thermo…
Scalar perturbation represented by the Klein-Gordon field equation of the system of black holes in 2+1 dimensional Static charged dilaton gravity proposed by Chan and Mann is investigated analytically. The radial equation is analyzed near horizon and at the asymptotic region to show the absence of superradiance instability.
In the present paper we construct novel non-topological, spontaneously scalarized neutron stars in multi-scalar Gauss-Bonnet gravity with maximally symmetric target space, and nontrivial map $φ:spacetime \rightarrow target\ space$. The theory is characterized by the fact that for some classes of coupling functions the field equations allow solutions with trivial scalar field, which coincide with the general relativistic ones. For a certain range of parameters those solutions lose stability and new branches of solutions with nontrivial scalar field bifurcate from the trivial branch. For a given…
The notions of mass and range of a Brans-Dicke-like scalar field in scalar-tensor and f(R) gravity are subject to an ambiguity that hides a potential trap. We spell out this ambiguity and identify a physically meaningful and practical definition for these quantities. This is relevant when giving a mass to this scalar in order to circumvent experimental limits on the PPN parameters coming from Solar System experiments.
We present a reconstruction technique for models of $f(R)$ gravity from the Chaplygin scalar field in flat de Sitter spacetimes. Exploiting the equivalence between $f(R)$ gravity and scalar-tensor theories, and treating the Chaplygin gas as a scalar field model in a universe without conventional matter forms, the Lagrangian densities for the $f(R)$ action are derived. Exact $f(R)$ models and corresponding scalar field potentials are obtained for asymptotically de Sitter spacetimes in early and late cosmological expansion histories. It is shown that the reconstructed $f(R)$ models all have Gene…
I discuss the relation between arbitrarily high-order theories of gravity and scalar-tensor gravity at the level of the field equations and the action. I show that $(2n+4)$-order gravity is dynamically equivalent to Brans-Dicke gravity with an interaction potential for the Brans-Dicke field and $n$ further scalar fields. This scalar-tensor action is then conformally equivalent to the Einstein-Hilbert action with $n+1$ scalar fields. This clarifies the nature and extent of the conformal equivalence between extended gravity theories and general relativity with many scalar fields.
General relativity characterizes gravity as a geometric property exhibited on spacetime by massive objects while teleparallel gravity achieves the same results, at the level of equations, by taking a torsional perspective of gravity. Similar to f (R) theory, teleparallel gravity can also be generalized to f (T ), with the resulting field equations being inherently distinct from f (R) gravity in that they are second order, while in the former case they turn out to be fourth order. In the present case, a minimally coupled scalar field is investigated in the f (T ) gravity context for several for…
We consider Lorentz invariant scalar-tensor teleparallel gravity theories with a Lagrangian built from the torsion scalar, a scalar field, its kinetic term and a derivative coupling between the torsion and the scalar field. The field equations of the theory are derived and the relation between the spin connection and the antisymmetric part of the tetrad field equations is found explicitly, which is an important consistency result for Lorentz invariant teleparallel theories of gravity. Afterwards we study the behaviour of this class of theories under conformal transformations and find that such…
We investigate the Cartan formalism in $F(R)$ gravity. $F(R)$ gravity has been introduced as a theory to explain cosmological accelerated expansion by replacing the Ricci scalar $R$ in the Einstein-Hilbert action with a function of $R$. As is well-known, $F(R)$ gravity is rewritten as a scalar-tensor theory by using the conformal transformation. Cartan $F(R)$ gravity is described based on the Riemann-Cartan geometry formulated by the vierbein. In the Cartan formalism, the Ricci scalar $R$ is divided into two parts, one derived from the Levi-Civita connection and the other from the torsion. Ass…
We study the Hamiltonian structure of the general parity-invariant model of three-dimensional gravity with propagating torsion, with eight parameters in the Lagrangian. In the scalar sector, containing scalar or pseudoscalar modes with respect to maximally symmetric background, the phenomenon of constraint bifurcation is observed and analyzed. The stability of the Hamiltonian structure under linearization is used to identify dynamically acceptable values of parameters.
It is shown that, when f'' is non-vanishing, metric f(R) gravity is completely equivalent to a scalar-tensor theory (with zero Brans-Dicke parameter) with respect to perturbations of de Sitter space, contrary to previous expectations. Moreover, the stability conditions of de Sitter space with respect to homogeneous and inhomogeneous perturbations coincide in most scalar-tensor theories, as is the case in metric f(R) gravity.
Scalar-tensor theories offer the prospect of explaining the cosmological evolution of the Universe through an effective description of dark energy as a quantity with a non-trivial evolution. In this work, we investigate this feature of scalar-tensor theories in the teleparallel gravity context. Teleparallel gravity is a novel description of geometric gravity as a torsional-rather than curvature-based quantity which presents a new foundational base for gravity. Our investigation is centered on the impact of a nontrivial input from the kinetic term of the scalar field. We consider a number of mo…
We consider scalar-tensor theories of gravity defined in Weyl integrable space-time and show that in the ADM formalism Weyl transformations corresponding to change of frames induce canonical transformations between different representations of the phase space. In this context, we discuss the physical equivalence of two distinct Weyl frames at the classical level.
Motivated by statements in the literature which contradict two general theorems, the static and spherically symmetric Brans solutions of scalar-tensor gravity are analyzed explicitly in both the Jordan and the Einstein conformal frames. Depending on the parameter range, these solutions describe wormholes or naked singularities but not black holes.
In the present work we revisit a model consisting of a scalar field with a quartic self-interaction potential non-minimally (conformally) coupled to gravity [1]. When the scalar field vacuum is in a broken symmetry state, an effective gravitational constant emerges which, in certain regimes, can lead to gravitational repulsive effects when only ordinary radiation is coupled to gravity. In this case, a bouncing universe is shown to be the only cosmological solution admissible by the field equations when the scalar field is in such a broken symmetry state.
We obtain an exact solution for the Einstein's equations with cosmological constant coupled to a scalar, static particle in static, "spherically" symmetric background in 2+1 dimensions.
We formulate axion-electrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) in the cosmological context assuming weak gravity. The two formulations are made for a general scalar field with general $f(ϕ)$-coupling, and an axion as a massive scalar field with $ϕ^2$-coupling, with the helical electromagnetic field. The $α$-dynamo term appears naturally from the helical coupling in the MHD formulation. In the presence of the electromagnetic coupling, however, the Schrödinger and hydrodynamic formulations of the coherently oscillating axion are {\it not} available for the conventional $ϕ$ coupling; instead, …
