Scalar-tensor propagation of light in the inner solar system at the millimetric level

In a recent paper [1], motivated by forthcoming space experiments involving propagation of light in the Solar System, we have proposed an extention of the IAU metric equations at the c-4 level in General Relativity. However, scalar-tensor theories may induce corrections numerically comparable to the c-4 general relativistic terms. Accordingly, one first proposes in this paper an extension of [1] to the scalar-tensor case. The case of a hierarchized system (such as the Solar system) is emphasized. In this case, the relevant metric solution is proposed. Then, the geodesic solution relevant for propagation of light in the inner solar system at the millimetric level is given in explicit form.Comment: 18 pages, This article can be regarded as an extension of "eprint arXiv:1003.1889

Relativistic analysis of an earth-satellite time transfer

Analytical treatment of time transfer problem for Earth-Satellite system is presented. The development was made in a complete relativistic framework. In accordance with modern clock precision and for low altitude orbits, we neglect the other bodies and consider only the 1/c^2 Earth potential developed up to the J_2 term in spherical harmonics.Comment: 4 pages, conferenc

Scalar-Tensor gravity with system-dependent potential and its relation with Renormalization Group extended General Relativity

We show that Renormalization Group extensions of the Einstein-Hilbert action for large scale physics are not, in general, a particular case of standard Scalar-Tensor (ST) gravity. We present a new class of ST actions, in which the potential is not necessarily fixed at the action level, and show that this extended ST theory formally contains the Renormalization Group case. We also propose here a Renormalization Group scale setting identification that is explicitly covariant and valid for arbitrary relativistic fluids.Comment: 29 pages, 2 figs. v2: small changes in text and ref's. v3: further details on the relation between this work and others on the Renormalization Group. Version to appear in JCA

Brans-Dicke gravity and the capture of stars by black holes: some asymptotic results

In the context of star capture by a black hole, a new noticeable difference between Brans-Dicke theory and general relativity gravitational radiation is pointed out. This feature stems from the non-stationarity of the black hole state, barring Hawking's theorem.Comment: 4 pages. Submitted to Classical and Quantum Gravit

Relativistic analysis of the LISA long range optical links

The joint ESA/NASA LISA mission consists in three spacecraft on heliocentric orbits, flying in a triangular formation of 5 Mkm each side, linked by infrared optical beams. The aim of the mission is to detect gravitational waves in a low frequency band. For properly processing the science data, the propagation delays between spacecraft must be accurately known. We thus analyse the propagation of light between spacecraft in order to systematically derive the relativistic effects due to the static curvature of the Schwarzschild spacetime in which the spacecraft are orbiting with time-varying light-distances. In particular, our analysis allows to evaluate rigorously the Sagnac effect, and the gravitational (Einstein) redshift.Comment: 6 figures; accepted for publication in PR