We study the motion of particles in the background of a scalar-tensor theory of gravity in which the scalar field is kinetically coupled to Einstein tensor. We constrain the value of the derivative parameter $z$ through solar system tests. By considering the perihelion precession we obtain the constrain $\sqrt{z}/m_p > 2.6\times 10^{12}$ m, the gravitational red-shift $\frac{\sqrt{z}}{m_{p}}>2.7\times10^{\,10}$ m, the deflection of light $\sqrt{z}/m_p > 1.6 \times 10^{11}$ m, and the gravitational time delay $\sqrt{z}/m_p > 7.9 \times 10^{12}$ m; thereby, our results show that it is possible to constrain the value of the $z$ parameter in agreement with the observational tests that have been considered.
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.
We investigate a linearized tensor-tensor theory of gravity with torsion and a perturbed torsion wave solution is discovered in background Minkowski spacetime with zero torsion. Furthermore, gauge transformations of any perturbed tensor field are derived in general background non-Riemannian geometries. By calculating autoparallel deviations, both longitudinal and transverse polarizations of the torsion wave are discovered.
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.
The dynamical equivalence between modified and scalar-tensor gravity theories is revisited and it is concluded that it breaks down in the limit to general relativity. A gauge-independent analysis of cosmological perturbations in both classes of theories lends independent support to this conclusion. As a consequence, the PPN formalism of scalar-tensor gravity and Solar System experiments do not veto modified gravity, as previously thought.
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…
A relativistic modified gravity (MOG) theory leads to a self-consistent, stable gravity theory that can describe the solar system, galaxy and clusters of galaxies data and cosmology.
We find the linearized gravitational field of a static spherically symmetric mass distribution in massive conformal gravity and test it with some solar system experiments. The result is that the theory agrees with the general relativistic observations in the solar system for a determined lower bound on the graviton mass.
As an extension of previous works on classical tests of Kaluza-Klein (KK) gravity and as an attempt to find more stringent constraints on this theory, its effects on physical experiments and astronomical observations conducted in the Solar System are studied. We investigate the gravitational time delay at inferior conjunction caused by KK gravity, and use new Solar System ephemerides and the observation of \textit{Cassini} to strengthen constraints on KK gravity by up to two orders of magnitude. These improved upper bounds mean that the fifth-dimensional space in the soliton case is a very fla…
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.
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.
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 comment on, and complete, the analysis of the weak field limit of metric f(R) gravity in T. Chiba, T.L. Smith, and A.L. Erickcek, Phys. Rev. D 75, 124014 (2007).
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…
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.
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.
We construct a conserved, symmetric energy-momentum (pseudo-)tensor for Chern-Simons modified gravity, thus demonstrating that the theory is Lorentz invariant. The tensor is discussed in relation to other gravitational energy-momentum tensors and analyzed for the Schwarzschild, Reissner-Nordstrom, and FRW solutions. To our knowledge this is the first confirmation that the Reissner-Nordstrom and FRW metrics are solutions of the modified theory.
The quantum fluctuation of the stress tensor of a quantum field are discussed, as are the resulting spacetime metric fluctuations. Passive quantum gravity is an approximation in which gravity is not directly quantized, but fluctuations of the spacetime geometry are driven by stress tensor fluctuations. We discuss a decomposition of the stress tensor correlation function into three parts, and consider the physical implications of each part. The operational significance of metric fluctuations and the possible limits of validity of semiclassical gravity are discussed.
Recently in boson star models in framework of Brans-Dicke theory, three possible definitions of mass have been identified, all identical in general relativity, but different in scalar-tensor theories of gravity.It has been conjectured that it's the tensor mass which peaks, as a function of the central density, at the same location where the particle number takes its maximum.This is a very important property which is crucial for stability analysis via catastrophe theory. This conjecture has received some numerical support. Here we give an analytical proof of the conjecture in framework of the g…
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 extend the analysis of Chiba, Smith and Erickcek \cite{CSE} of Solar System constraints on $f(R)$ gravity to a class of nonminimally coupled (NMC) theories of gravity. These generalize $f(R)$ theories by replacing the action functional of General Relativity (GR) with a more general form involving two functions $f^1(R)$ and $f^2(R)$ of the Ricci scalar curvature $R$. While the function $f^1(R)$ is a nonlinear term in the action, analogous to $f(R)$ gravity, the function $f^2(R)$ yields a NMC between the matter Lagrangian density $\LL_m$ and the scalar curvature. The developed method allows f…
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…
We build up a new phenomenological framework associated with a minimal generalization of Einsteinian gravitation theory. When linearity, stationarity and isotropy are assumed, tests in the solar system are characterized by two potentials which generalize respectively the Newton potential and the parameter $γ$ of parametrized post-Newtonian formalism. The new framework seems to have the capability to account for the Pioneer anomaly besides other gravity tests.
We present a description of CMB anisotropies generated by tensor perturbations in f(R) theories of gravity. The temperature power spectrum in the special case of $f(R)=R^n$ is computed using a modified version of CAMB package.
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.
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.
The stress-energy tensor of a matter shell whose history coincides with a null hypersurface in the Einstein-Cartan gravity is revisited. It is demonstrated that with a proper choice for the torsion discontinuity taken to be orthogonal to the null hypersurface and consistent with the antisymmetric property of torsion tensor, the modified expression for the asymmetric stress-energy tensor is automatically tangent to the hypersurface. The main differences with respect to a previous work are addressed
It is shown how the different irreducibility classes of the energy-momentum tensor allow for a Lagrangian formulation of the gravity-matter system using a selfdual 2-form as a basic variable. It is pointed out what kind of difficulties arise when attempting to construct a pure spin-connection formulation of the gravity-matter system. Ambiguities in the formulation especially concerning the need for constraints are clarified.
The explicit derivation for the orbital precession of the S2 star in the Galactic Center in the Scalar-Tensor-Vector Gravity is discussed and compared with previous research. The two different predictions are validated by numerically integrating the geodesic equations for a test particle.
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.
In this paper we consider the cosmological inflation within scalar-tensor gravity and compare it with standard inflation based on general relativity. The difference is determined by the value of the parameter $Δ$. This approach is associated with using the special ansatz which links a function that defines a type of gravity with a scale factor of the universe.
In this paper, we study the properties of gravitational waves in the scalar-tensor-vector gravity theory. The polarizations of the gravitational waves are investigated by analyzing the relative motion of the test particles. It is found that the interaction between the matter and vector field in the theory leads to two additional transverse polarization modes. By making use of the polarization content, the stress-energy pseudo-tensor is calculated by employing the perturbed equation method. Besides, the relaxed field equation for the modified gravity in question is derived by using the Landau-L…
Penrose suggested that issues with the origin of the second law of thermodynamics and the remarkable homogeneous and isotropic nature of the universe on large scales can be resolved with a concept of an entropy for gravitational fields captured by the Weyl curvature tensor. This has led to various proposals for an entropy density for gravity constructed from the Weyl tensor. Most work investigating such entropy densities have been restricted to general relativity and little work has been done to them in modified theories of gravity. To remedy this, we investigate the simplest proposal for an e…
The metric recommanded by the IAU2000 resolutions allows propagation of light calculations at the c-3 level in the general relativity framework. In a recent paper [1], motivated by forthcoming space experiments involving propagation of light in the Solar System (ASTROD, GAIA, LATOR, ODYSSEY, SAGAS, SIM, TIPO, ...), we have proposed an extention of the IAU metric equations at the c-4 level. This has been made in the general relativity framework. However, scalar-tensor theories may induce corrections numerically comparable to the c-4 general relativistic terms. Accordingly, one proposes in this …
A specific choice of gauge is shown to imply a decoupling between the tensor and scalar components of Gravitational Radiation in the context of Brans-Dicke type theories of gravitation. The comparison of the predictions of these theories with those of General Relativity is thereby made straightforward.
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…
Recently, it was shown that the quantum effects of the matter, could be used to determine the conformal degree of freedom of the space-time metric. So both gravity and quantum are geometrical features. Gravity determines the causal structure of the space-time, while quantum determines the scale of the space-time. In this article, it is shown that it is possible to use the scalar-tensor framework to build a unified theory in which both quantum and gravitational effects are present.
As confirmed by tests performed in the solar system, General Relativity (GR) presently represents the best description of gravitation. It is however challenged by observations at very large length scales, and already at the solar system scale, tracking of the Pioneer 10/11 probes has failed to confirm their expected behavior according to GR. Metric extensions of GR, which are presented here, have the quality of preserving the fundamental properties of GR while introducing scale dependent modifications. We show that they moreover represent an appropriate family of gravitation theories to be com…
We revisit singularities of two distinct kinds in the Cauchy problem of general scalar-tensor theories of gravity (previously discussed in the literature), and of metric and Palatini f(R) gravity, in both their Jordan and Einstein frame representations. Examples and toy models are used to shed light onto the problem and it is shown that, contrary to common lore, the two conformal frames are equivalent with respect to the initial value problem.
We systematically examine the compactness of neutron stars as Tolman VII solutions in scalar-tensor theory of gravity. As a result, when the coupling constant is confined to values provided by astronomical observations we show that the maximum compactness of neutron stars in general relativity is higher than that in scalar-tensor gravity. In addition, we show that although ultra-compact stars, with radius smaller than the Regge-Wheeler potential peak, can exist in general relativity (e.g., Tolman VII solution), their scalarized counterparts cannot {be constructed} even in the limiting case of …
The work provides a possible explanation of a well motivated question - why the present universe is practically free from any noticeable footmarks of higher rank antisymmetric tensor fields, despite having the signatures of scalar, vector, fermion as well as symmetric rank 2 tensor field in the form of gravity ? The explanation proposed here originates from the higher curvature degrees of freedom present in a $F(R)$ gravity model. In such a model, we show that the scalar degree of freedom (also known as scalaron) associated with the higher curvature term may undergo a quantum tunneling which i…
The expected tensor-to-scalar ratio estimate of the upcoming CMB mission probe measurements may establish a lower value of the ratio than the currently obtained value. It can be described in terms of a single field chaotic inflation model along with the curvaton or quantum gravity or their combined effect. Consequently, the role of quantum gravity or curvaton in the dynamics of the early universe may not be ruled out. The curvaton scenario and quantum gravity effect can be tested experimentally.
The field equations of $f(R)$ gravity are rewritten in the form of obvious wave equations with the stress-energy pseudotensor of the matter fields and the gravitational field as its source under the de Donder condition. The method of multipole analysis in terms of irreducible Cartesian tensors is applied to the linearized $f(R)$ gravity, and its multipole expansion is presented explicitly. In this expansion, the tensor part is symmetric and trace-free and is the same as that in General Relativity, and the scalar part predicts the appearance of monopole and dipole radiation in $f(R)$ gravity, a…
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 have obtained the first constraint of the parameter space of Scalar-Tensor-Vector-Gravity using the motion of the S2-star around the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way, and we did not find any serious tension with General Relativity. We used the Schwarzschild-like metric of Scalar-Tensor-Vector-Gravity to predict the orbital motion of S2-star, and to compare it with the publicly available astrometric data, which include 145 measurements of the positions, 44 measurements of the radial velocities of S2-star along its orbit, and the recent measurement of the orbital precess…
The cosmic microwave background (CMB) carries information from the last scattering surface that puts constraints on the multitude of proposed cosmological models and the gravitation theories they are based on. One class of such theories is $f(R)$ gravity, which has become an interesting endeavour to correct for the degeneracies of the concordance model. We presents a description of CMB anisotropies generated by tensor perturbations in $f(R)$ theories of gravity. The temperature and the $E$-mode polarisation power spectra in the special case of $f(R)=R^n$ are computed using a modified version o…
It is shown the antisymmetric part of the metric tensor is the potential for the spin field. Various metricity conditions are discussed and comparisons are made to other theories, including Einstein's. It is shown in the weak field limit the theory reduces to one with a symmetric metric tensor and totally antisymmetric torsion. It is also shown, due to gauge invariance, the electromagnetic field must be present.
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.
We show that if all observers see an isotropic cosmic microwave background in an expanding geodesic perfect fluid spacetime within a scalar-tensor theory of gravity, then that spacetime must be isotropic and spatially homogeneous. This result generalizes the Ehlers-Geren-Sachs Theorem of General Relativity, and serves to underpin the important result that any evolving cosmological model in a scalar-tensor theory that is compatible with observations must be almost Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker.
The linear approximation of scalar-tensor theories of gravity is obtained in the physical (Jordan) frame under the 4+0 (covariant) and 3+1 formalisms. Then the weak-field limit is analyzed and the conditions leading to significant deviations of the $1/r^{2}$ Newton's law of gravitation are discussed. Finally, the scalarization effects induced by these theories in extended objects are confronted within the weak-field limit.
Recently, a strong debate has been pursued about the Newtonian limit (i.e. small velocity and weak field) of fourth order gravity models. According to some authors, the Newtonian limit of $f(R)$-gravity is equivalent to the one of Brans-Dicke gravity with $ω_{BD} = 0$, so that the PPN parameters of these models turn out to be ill defined. In this paper, we carefully discuss this point considering that fourth order gravity models are dynamically equivalent to the O'Hanlon Lagrangian. This is a special case of scalar-tensor gravity characterized only by self-interaction potential and that, in th…
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 …
The $1/r$-expansion in the distance to the source is applied to the linearized $f(R)$ gravity, and its multipole expansion in the radiation field with irreducible Cartesian tensors is presented. Then, the energy, momentum, and angular momentum in the gravitational waves are provided for linearized $f(R)$ gravity. All of these results have two parts which are associated with the tensor part and the scalar part in the multipole expansion of linearized $f(R)$ gravity, respectively. The former is the same as that in General Relativity, and the latter, as the correction to the result in General Rel…
In this work an extension to Eddington's gravitational action is analyzed. We consider the tensor perturbations of a FLRW space-time in the Eddington regime in where the tensor mode is linearly unstable deep and the resulting modifications to Einstein regime are quite strong.
