Cosmic stringlike objects in hybrid metric-Palatini gravity
Tiberiu Harko, Francisco S. N. Lobo, Hilberto M. R. da Silva
备注：
15 pages, 9 figures: V2: slight change in title and abstract; significant discussion and references added; conceptual changes; now 19 pages. Matches published version
We consider static and cylindrically symmetric interior string type solutions in the scalar-tensor representation of the hybrid metric-Palatini modified theory of gravity. As a first step in our study, we obtain the gravitational field equations and further simplify the analysis by imposing Lorentz invariance along the $t$ and $z$ axes, which reduces the number of unknown metric tensor components to a single function $W^2(r)$. In this case, the general solution of the field equations can be obtained, for an arbitrary form of the scalar field potential, in an exact closed parametric form, with the scalar field $ϕ$ taken as a parameter. We consider in detail several exact solutions of the field equations, corresponding to a null and constant potential, and to a power-law potential of the form $V(ϕ)=V_0ϕ^{3/4}$, in which the behaviors of the scalar field, of the metric tensor components and of the string tension can be described in a simple mathematical form. We also investigate the string models with exponential and Higgs type scalar field potentials by using numerical methods. In this way we obtain a large class of novel stable string-like solutions in the context of hybrid metric-Palatini gravity, in which the basic parameters, such as the scalar field, metric tensor components, and string tension, depend essentially on the initial values of the scalar field, and of its derivative, on the $r=0$ circular axis.
We discuss static, cylindrically symmetric vacuum solutions of hybrid metric-Palatini gravity (HMPG), a recently proposed theory that has been shown to successfully pass the local observational tests and to produce a certain progress in cosmology. We use HMPG in its well-known scalar-tensor representation. The latter coincides with general relativity containing, as a source of gravity, a conformally coupled scalar field $ϕ$ and a self-interaction potential $V(ϕ)$. The $ϕ$ field can be canonical or phantom, and accordingly the theory splits into canonical and phantom sectors. We seek solitonic …
We consider the possible existence of gravitationally bound stringlike objects in the framework of the generalized hybrid metric-Palatini gravity theory, in which the gravitational action is represented by an arbitrary function of the Ricci and of the Palatini scalars, respectively. The theory admits an equivalent scalar-tensor representation in terms of two independent scalar fields. Assuming cylindrical symmetry, and the boost invariance of the metric, we obtain the gravitational field equations that describe cosmic stringlike structures in the theory. The physical and geometrical properties…
In this work we made use of a general static cillindrically symmetric metric to find $U(1)$ local cosmic string solutions in the context of the hybrid metric-Palatini theory of gravity in it's scalar-tensor representation. After finding the dynamical equations for this particular case, we imposed boost invariance along $t$ and $z$ directions, which simplified the equations of motions, leaving only one single metric tensor component, $W^2(r)$. For an arbitrary potential $V(ϕ)$, the solutions obtained can be put in a closed parametric form, with $ϕ$ taken as a parameter. Several particular cases…
The coupling of a stringlike fluid with ordinary matter and gravity may lead to a closed Universe with the dynamic of an open one. This can provide an alternative solution for the age and horizon problems. A study of density perturbations of the stringlike fluid indicates the existence of instabilities in the small wavelength limit when it is employed a hydrodynamic approach. Here, we extend this study to gravitational waves, where the hydrodynamical approach plays a less important role, and we argue that traces of the existence of this fluid must be present in the anisotropies of the cosmic b…
A modified model of gravity with additional positive and negative powers of the scalar curvature, $R$, in the gravitational action is studied. This is done using the Palatini variational principle. It is demonstrated that using such a model might prove useful to explain both the early time inflation and the late time cosmic acceleration without the need for any form of dark energy.
We present a novel approach to modified theories of gravity that consists of adding to the Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian an f(R) term constructed a la Palatini. Using the respective dynamically equivalent scalar-tensor representation, we show that the theory can pass the Solar System observational constraints even if the scalar field is very light. This implies the existence of a long-range scalar field, which is able to modify the cosmological and galactic dynamics, but leaves the Solar System unaffected. We also verify the absence of instabilities in perturbations and provide explicit models w…
We consider vacuum static spherically symmetric solutions in the hybrid metric-Palatini gravity theory, which is a combination of the metric and Palatini $f(R)$ formalisms unifying local constraints at the Solar System level and the late-time cosmic acceleration. We adopt the scalar-tensor representation of the hybrid metric-Palatini theory, in which the scalar-tensor definition of the potential can be represented as a Clairaut differential equation. Due to their mathematical complexity, it is difficult to find exact solutions of the vacuum field equations, and therefore we adopt a numerical a…
Recently, a modified theory of gravity was presented, which consists of the superposition of the metric Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian with an $f(\cal R)$ term constructed à la Palatini. The theory possesses extremely interesting features such as predicting the existence of a long-range scalar field, that explains the late-time cosmic acceleration and passes the local tests, even in the presence of a light scalar field. In this brief report, we consider the possibility that wormholes are supported by this hybrid metric-Palatini gravitational theory. We present here the general conditions for worm…
A new setup of cosmic inflation with a periodic inflaton potential and conformal factor is discussed in the metric and Palatini formulations of gravity. As a concrete example, we focus on a natural-inflation-like inflaton potential, and show that the inflationary predictions fall into the allowed region of cosmic microwave background observations in both formulations.
We compute the complete post-Newtonian limit of the Palatini form of f(R) gravities using a scalar-tensor representation. By comparing the predictions of these theories with laboratory and solar system experiments, we find a set of inequalities that any lagrangian f(R) must satisfy. The constraints imposed by those inequalities allow us to find explicit functions that bound from above and from below the possible nonlinear terms of the lagrangian. We conclude that the lagrangian f(R) must be almost linear in R and that nonlinear corrections that grow at low curvatures are incompatible with obse…
We study new FRW type cosmological models of modified gravity treated on the background of Palatini approach. These models are generalization of Einstein gravity by the presence of a scalar field non-minimally coupled to the curvature. The models employ Starobinsky's term in the Lagrangian and dust matter. Therefore, as a by-product, an exhausted cosmological analysis of general relativity amended by quadratic term is presented. We investigate dynamics of our models, confront them with the currently available astrophysical data as well as against LCDM model. We have used the dynamical system m…
We reconsider the problem of $f(R)$ theories of gravity coupled to Born-Infeld theory of electrodynamics formulated in a Palatini approach, where metric and connection are independent fields. By studying electrovacuum configurations in a static and spherically symmetric space-time, we find solutions which reduce to their Reissner-Nordström counterparts at large distances but undergo important non-perturbative modifications close to the center. Our new analysis reveals that the point-like singularity is replaced by a finite-size wormhole structure, which provides a geodesically complete and thu…
In this paper by deriving the Modified Friedmann equation in the Palatini formulation of $R^2$ gravity, first we discuss the problem of whether in Palatini formulation an additional $R^2$ term in Einstein's General Relativity action can drive an inflation. We show that the Palatini formulation of $R^2$ gravity cannot lead to the gravity-driven inflation as in the metric formalism. If considering no zero radiation and matter energy densities, we obtain that only under rather restrictive assumption about the radiation and matter energy densities there will be a mild power-law inflation $a(t)\sim…
The non-equivalence between the metric and Palatini formalisms of $f(R)$ gravity is an intriguing feature of these theories. However, in the recently proposed hybrid metric-Palatini gravity, consisting of the superposition of the metric Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian with an $f(\cal R)$ term constructed à la Palatini, the "true" gravitational field is described by the interpolation of these two non-equivalent approaches. The theory predicts the existence of a light long-range scalar field, which passes the local constraints and affects the galactic and cosmological dynamics. Thus, the theory open…
The well-formulation and the well-posedness of the Cauchy problem is discussed for {\it hybrid metric-Palatini gravity}, a recently proposed modified gravitational theory consisting of adding to the Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian an $f(R)$ term constructed {\it à la} Palatini. The theory can be recast as a scalar-tensor one predicting the existence of a light long-range scalar field that evades the local Solar System tests and is able to modify galactic and cosmological dynamics, leading to the late-time cosmic acceleration. In this work, adopting generalized harmonic coordinates, we show that th…
Using a dynamical system approach we study the cosmological phase space of the generalized hybrid metric-Palatini gravity theory, characterized by the function $f\left(R,\mathcal R\right)$, where $R$ is the metric scalar curvature and $\mathcal R$ the Palatini scalar curvature of the spacetime. We formulate the propagation equations of the suitable dimensionless variables that describe FLRW universes as an autonomous system. The fixed points are obtained for four different forms of the function $f\left(R,\mathcal R\right)$, and the behavior of the cosmic scale factor $a(t)$ is computed. We sho…
We review the recent literature on modified theories of gravity in the Palatini approach. After discussing the motivations that lead to consider alternatives to Einstein's theory and to treat the metric and the connection as independent objects, we review several topics that have been recently studied within this framework. In particular, we provide an in-depth analysis of the cosmic speedup problem, laboratory and solar systems tests, the structure of stellar objects, the Cauchy problem, and bouncing cosmologies. We also discuss the importance of going beyond the f(R) models to capture other …
We discuss recent results on the cosmology of extended theories of gravity formulated in the Palatini approach, i.e., assuming that metric and connection are independent fields. In particular, we focus on the attempts to explain the cosmic speedup with f(R) theories and on models that avoid the big bang singularity. The field equations for gravity Lagrangians of the form f(g_{μν},{R^α}_{βμν}) (including torsion) are explicitly derived and discussed.
We show that there exist modified theories of gravity in which the metric satisfies second-order equations and in which the Big Bang singularity is replaced by a cosmic bounce without violating any energy condition. In fact, the bounce is possible even for presureless dust. We give a characterization of such theories, which are formulated in the Palatini formalism, and discuss their dynamics in the region near the bounce. We consider spatially flat and non-flat homogeneous and isotropic universes.
The current accelerated universe could be produced by modified gravitational dynamics as it can be seen in particular in its Palatini formulation. We analyze here a specific non-linear gravity-scalar system in the first order Palatini formalism which leads to a FRW cosmology different from the purely metric one. It is shown that the emerging FRW cosmology may lead either to an effective quintessence phase (cosmic speed-up) or to an effective phantom phase. Moreover, the already known gravity assisted dark energy dominance occurs also in the first order formalism. Finally, it is shown that a dy…
We consider the internal structure and the physical properties of specific classes of neutron, quark and Bose-Einstein Condensate stars in the hybrid metric-Palatini gravity theory, which is a combination of the metric and Palatini $f(R)$ formalisms. The theory is very successful in accounting for the observed phenomenology, since it unifies local constraints at the Solar System level and the late-time cosmic acceleration, even if the scalar field is very light. We derive the equilibrium equations for a spherically symmetric configuration (mass continuity and Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff) in the…
We investigate the modified gravity theories in terms of the effective dark energy models. We compare the cosmic expansion history and the linear growth in different models. We also study the evolution of linear cosmological perturbations in modified theories of gravity assuming the Palatini formalism. We find the stability of the superhorizon metric evolution depends on models. We also study the matter density fluctuation in the general gauge and show the differential equations in super and sub-horizon scales.
The generalized hybrid metric-Palatini theory of gravity admits a scalar-tensor representation in terms of two interacting scalar fields. We show that, upon an appropriate choice of the interaction potential, one of the scalar fields behaves like dark energy, inducing a late-time accelerated expansion of the universe, while the other scalar field behaves like pressureless dark matter that, together with ordinary baryonic matter, dominates the intermediate phases of cosmic evolution. This unified description of dark energy and dark matter gives rise to viable cosmological solutions, which repro…
We study Palatini f(R) cosmology using Noether symmetry approach for the matter dominated universe. In order to construct a point-like Lagrangian in the flat FRW space time, we use the dynamical equivalence between f(R) gravity and scalar-tensor theories. The existence of Noether symmetry of the cosmological f(R) Lagrangian helps us to find out the form of f(R) and the exact solutions for cosmic scale factor. We show that this symmetry always exist for f(R)~R^n and the Noether constant is a function of the Newton's gravitational constant and the current matter content of the universe.
Recently, the phenomenology of f(R) gravity has been scrutinized motivated by the possibility to account for the self-accelerated cosmic expansion without invoking dark energy sources. Besides, this kind of modified gravity is capable of addressing the dynamics of several self-gravitating systems alternatively to the presence of dark matter. It has been established that both metric and Palatini versions of these theories have interesting features but also manifest severe and different downsides. A hybrid combination of theories, containing elements from both these two formalisms, turns out to …
We study how higher-order gravity affects Higgs inflation in the Palatini formulation. We first review the metric and Palatini formulations in comparative manner and discuss their differences. Next cosmic inflation driven by a scalar field and inflationary observables are discussed. After this we review the Higgs inflation and compute the inflationary observables both in the metric and Palatini formulations. We then consider adding higher-order terms of the curvature to the action. We derive the equations of motion for the most general action quadratic in the curvature that does not violate pa…
A new class of modified theories of gravity, consisting of the superposition of the metric Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian with an $f(\cal R)$ term constructed à la Palatini was proposed recently. The dynamically equivalent scalar-tensor representation of the model was also formulated, and it was shown that even if the scalar field is very light, the theory passes the Solar System observational constraints. Therefore the model predicts the existence of a long-range scalar field, modifying the cosmological and galactic dynamics. An explicit model that passes the local tests and leads to cosmic acce…
We study the generalized version of energy-momentum squared gravity (EMSG) in the Palatini formalism. This theory allows the existence of a scalar constructed with energy-momentum tensor as $T_{αβ}T^{αβ}$ in the generic action of the theory. We study the most general form of this theory in the Palatini framework and present the underlying field equations. The equations of motion of a massive test particle have been derived. The weak field limit of the theory is explored and the generalized version of the Poisson equation is obtained. Moreover, we explore the cosmological behavior of the theory…
Quintessential inflation utilises a single scalar field to account for the observations of both cosmic inflation and dark energy. The requirements for modelling quintessential inflation are described and two explicit successful models are presented in the context of $α$-attractors and Palatini modified gravity.
In this work we derive the covariant and gauge invariant perturbation equations in general theories of $f(R)$ gravity in the Palatini formalism to linear order and calculate the cosmic microwave background (CMB) and matter power spectra for an extensively discussed model, $f(R) = R + α(-R)^β$, which is a possible candidate for the late-time cosmic accelerating expansion found recently. These spectra are discussed and found to be sensitively dependent on the value of $β$. We are thus able to make stringent constraints on $β$ from cosmological data on CMB and matter power spectra: The three-year…
We investigate cosmological consequences of a class of exponential $f(R)$ gravity in the Palatini formalism. By using the current largest type Ia Supernova sample along with determinations of the cosmic expansion at intermediary and high-$z$ we impose tight constraints on the model parameters. Differently from other $f(R)$ models, we find solutions of transient acceleration, in which the large-scale modification of gravity will drive the Universe to a new decelerated era in the future. We also show that a viable cosmological history with the usual matter-dominated era followed by an accelerati…
We consider the early time cosmology of f(R) theories in Palatini formalism and study the conditions that guarantee the existence of homogeneous and isotropic models that avoid the Big Bang singularity. We show that for such models the Big Bang singularity can be replaced by a cosmic bounce without violating any energy condition. In fact, the bounce is possible even for pressureless dust. We give a characterization of such models and discuss their dynamics in the region near the bounce. We also find that power-law lagrangians with a finite number of terms may lead to non-singular universes, wh…
We present an introduction to cosmic inflation in the context of Palatini gravity, which is an interesting alternative to the usual metric theory of gravity. In the latter case only the metric $g_{μν}$ determines the geometry of space-time, whereas in the former case both the metric and the space-time connection $Γ^λ_{μν}$ are a priori independent variables - a choice which can lead to a theory of gravity different from the metric one. In scenarios where the field(s) responsible for cosmic inflation are coupled non-minimally to gravity or the gravitational sector is otherwise extended, assumpt…
Under conformal transformation, f(R) theory of gravity in Palatini formalism leads to a Brans-Dicke type of scalar-tensor equivalent theory with a wrong sign in the effective kinetic energy term. This means, the effective scalar acts as the dark energy and so late-time cosmic acceleration in matter-dominated era is accountable. However, we unveil some aspects of Palatini formalism, which clearly reveals the fact that the formalism is not suitable to explain the cosmological evolution of the early universe with $f(\mathfrak{R})$ gravity alone. Additionally, it is noticed that some authors, in a…
In this study, we consider a flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) universe in the context of Palatini $f(R)$ theory of gravity. Using the dynamical equivalence between $f(R)$ gravity and scalar-tensor theories, we construct a point Lagrangian in the flat FRW spacetime. Applying {\em Noether gauge symmetry approach} for this $f(R)$ Lagrangian we find out the form of $f(R)$ and the exact solution for cosmic scale factor. It is shown that the resulting form of $f(R)$ yield a power-law expansion for the scale factor of the universe.
It has been suggested that the recent acceleration of the expansion of the Universe is due a modified gravitational action consisting of the Einstein-Hilbert term plus a term proportional to the reciprocal of the Ricci scalar. Although the original version of this theory has been shown to be in conflict with solar system observations, a modified Palatini version of the theory, in which the metric and connection are treated as independent variables in the variational principle, has been suggested as a viable model of the cosmic acceleration. We show that this theory is equivalent to a type of s…
Generally, the dynamics of test particles around galaxies, as well as the corresponding mass deficit, is explained by postulating the existence of a hypothetical dark matter. In fact, the behavior of the rotation curves shows the existence of a constant velocity region, near the baryonic matter distribution, followed by a quick decay at large distances. In this work, we consider the possibility that the behavior of the rotational velocities of test particles gravitating around galaxies can be explained within the framework of the recently proposed hybrid metric-Palatini gravitational theory. T…
We derive the expression for the jerk parameter in $f(R)$ gravity. We use the Palatini variational principle and the field equations in the Einstein conformal gauge. For the particular case $f(R)=R-\frac{α^2}{3R}$, the predicted value of the jerk parameter agrees with the SNLS SNIa and X-ray galaxy cluster distance data but does not with the SNIa gold sample data.
In this work we will explore $U(1)$ local cosmic string solutions in the context of the generalized hybrid metric-Palatini theory of gravity in its scalar-tensor representation. Using a general static cylindrically symmetric metric to find the dynamical equations for this particular case, we will simplify the equations by imposing boost invariance along $t$ and $z$ directions. The strings properties are determined by both scalar fields and by the effective potential, function of the scalar fields. While for some forms of the potential, the dynamical equations can be solved exactly, for more ge…
f(R) gravity theories in the Palatini formalism has been recently used as an alternative way to explain the observed late-time cosmic acceleration with no need of invoking either dark energy or extra spatial dimension. However, its applications have shown that some subtleties of these theories need a more profound examination. Here we are interested in the conformal aspects of the Palatini approach in extended theories of gravity. As is well known, extremization of the gravitational action a la Palatini, naturally "selects" a new metric h related to the metric g of the subjacent manifold by a …
We investigate f(R) theories of gravity within the Palatini approach and show how one can determine the expansion history, H(a), for an arbitrary choice of f(R). As an example, we consider cosmological constraints on such theories arising from the supernova type Ia, large scale structure formation and cosmic microwave background observations. We find that best fit to the data is a non-null leading order correction to the Einstein gravity, but the current data exhibits no significant preference over the concordance LCDM model. Our results show that the often considered 1/R models are not compat…
Cosmology in extended theories of gravity is considered assuming the Palatini variational principle, for which the metric and connection are independent variables. The field equations are derived to linear order in perturbations about the homogeneous and isotropic but possibly spatially curved background. The results are presented in a unified form applicable to a broad class of gravity theories allowing arbitrary scalar-tensor couplings and nonlinear dependence on the Ricci scalar in the gravitational action. The gauge-ready formalism exploited here makes it possible to obtain the equations i…
Einstein's General Relativity (GR) is possibly one of the greatest intellectual achievements ever conceived by the human mind. In fact, over the last century, GR has proven to be an extremely successful theory, with a well established experimental footing. However, the discovery of the late-time cosmic acceleration, which represents a new imbalance in the governing gravitational field equations, has forced theorists and experimentalists to question whether GR is the correct relativistic theory of gravitation, and has spurred much research in modified gravity, where extensions of the Hilbert-Ei…
By applying the Palatini approach to the 1/R-gravity model it is possible to explain the present accelerated expansion of the Universe. Investigation of the late Universe limiting case shows that: (i) due to the curvature effects the energy-momentum tensor of the matter field is not covariantly conserved; (ii) however, it is possible to reinterpret the curvature corrections as sources of the gravitational field, by defining a modified energy-momentum tensor; (iii) with the adoption of this modified energy-momentum tensor the Einstein's field equations are recovered with two main modifications:…
We consider the cosmology of the Ricci-tensor-squared gravity in the Palatini variational approach. The gravitational action of standard general relativity is modified by adding a function f(R^abR_ab) to the Einstein-Hilbert action, and the Palatini variation is used to derive the field equations. A general method of obtaining the background and first-order covariant and gauge-invariant perturbation equations is outlined. As an example, we consider the cosmological constraints on such theories arising from the supernova type Ia and cosmic microwave background observations. We find that the bes…
We derive the expression for the snap parameter in f(R) gravity. We use the Palatini variational principle to obtain the field equations and regard the Einstein conformal frame as physical. We predict the present-day value of the snap parameter for the particular case f(R)=R-const/R, which is the simplest f(R) model explaining the current acceleration of the universe.
One of the most favourable extensions of General Relativity is the $f(R)$ gravity. $f(R)$ gravity in Palatini formalism can be a realistic alternative to the dark energy problem. In this work we study a recently introduced dark energy $f(R)$ gravity model along with two other models in cosmological perspectives under the Palatini formalism. First, we study the cosmic expansion history of these models with the help of the important cosmographic parameters, such as the Hubble parameter, luminosity distance, effective equation of state etc. This study shows that the new model behaves similarly wi…
We present an extension of general relativity in which an $f(R)$ term à la Palatini is added to the usual metric Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian. Expressing the theory in a dynamically equivalent scalar-tensor form, we show that it can pass the Solar System observational tests even if the scalar field is very light or massless. Applications to cosmology and astrophysics, and some exact solutions are discussed.
We explore the cosmological viability of a theory of gravity defined by the Lagrangian $f(\mathcal{R})=\mathcal{R}^{n\left(\mathcal{R}\right)}$ in the Palatini formalism, where $n\left(\mathcal{R}\right)$ is a dimensionless function of the Palatini scalar curvature $\mathcal{R}$ that interpolates between general relativity when $n\left(\mathcal{R}\right)=1$ and a locally scale-invariant and superficially renormalizable theory when $n\left(\mathcal{R}\right)=2$. We refer to this model as asymptotically Weyl-invariant gravity (AWIG). We analyse perhaps the simplest possible implementation of AWI…
We focus on a series of $f(R)$ gravity theories in Palatini formalism to investigate the probabilities of producing the late-time acceleration for the flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) universe. We apply statefinder diagnostic to these cosmological models for chosen series of parameters to see if they distinguish from one another. The diagnostic involves the statefinder pair $\{r,s\}$, where $r$ is derived from the scale factor $a$ and its higher derivatives with respect to the cosmic time $t$, and $s$ is expressed by $r$ and the deceleration parameter $q$. In conclusion, we find that alth…
A period of rapidly accelerating expansion is expected in the early Universe implemented by a scalar field slowly rolling down along an asymptotically flat potential preferred by the current data. In this paper, we point out that this picture of the cosmic inflation with an asymptotically flat potential could emerge from the Palatini quadratic gravity by adding the matter field in such a way to break the local gauged conformal symmetry in both kinetic and potential terms.
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 two types of modifications of Born-Infeld gravity in the Palatini formulation and explore their dynamics in the early universe. One of these families considers $f(R)$ corrections to the Born-Infeld Lagrangian, which can be seen as modifications of the dynamics produced by the quantum effects of matter, while the other consists on different powers of the elementary building block of the Born-Infeld Lagrangian, which we denote by $|\hatΩ|$. We find that the two types of nonsingular solutions that arise in the original Born-Infeld theory are also present in these extensions, being bou…
