658 research outputs found
Einstein static universes are unstable in generic f(R) models
We study Einstein static universes in the context of generic f(R) models. It
is shown that Einstein static solutions exist for a wide variety of modified
gravity models sourced by a barotropic perfect fluid with equation of state
w=p/rho, but these solutions are always unstable to either homogeneous or
inhomogeneous perturbations. Our general results are in agreement with specific
models investigated in that past. We also discuss how our techniques can be
applied to other scenarios in f(R) gravity.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures. Minor corrections. Minor changes and references
added to match version accepted by Phys. Rev.
Position and frequency shifts induced by massive modes of the gravitational wave background in alternative gravity
Alternative theories of gravity predict the presence of massive scalar,
vector, and tensor gravitational wave modes in addition to the standard
massless spin~2 graviton of general relativity. The deflection and frequency
shift effects on light from distant sources propagating through a stochastic
background of gravitational waves, containing such modes, differ from their
counterparts in general relativity. Such effects are considered as a possible
signature for alternative gravity in attempts to detect deviations from
Einstein's gravity by astrophysical means.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figur
Wormhole geometries supported by a nonminimal curvature-matter coupling
Wormhole geometries in curvature-matter coupled modified gravity are
explored, by considering an explicit nonminimal coupling between an arbitrary
function of the scalar curvature, R, and the Lagrangian density of matter. It
is the effective stress-energy tensor containing the coupling between matter
and the higher order curvature derivatives that is responsible for the null
energy condition violation, and consequently for supporting the respective
wormhole geometries. The general restrictions imposed by the null energy
condition violation are presented in the presence of a nonminimal R-matter
coupling. Furthermore, obtaining exact solutions to the gravitational field
equations is extremely difficult due to the nonlinearity of the equations,
although the problem is mathematically well-defined. Thus, we outline several
approaches for finding wormhole solutions, and deduce an exact solution by
considering a linear R nonmiminal curvature-matter coupling and by considering
an explicit monotonically decreasing function for the energy density. Although
it is difficult to find exact solutions of matter threading the wormhole
satisfying the energy conditions at the throat, an exact solution is found
where the nonminimal coupling does indeed minimize the violation of the null
energy condition of normal matter at the throat.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures. V2: 9 pages, error and typos corrected;
discussion and references added; to appear in PR
The stability of modified gravity models
Conditions for the existence and stability of de Sitter space in modified
gravity are derived by considering inhomogeneous perturbations in a
gauge-invariant formalism. The stability condition coincides with the
corresponding condition for stability with respect to homogeneous
perturbations, while this is not the case in scalar-tensor gravity. The
stability criterion is applied to various modified gravity models of the early
and the present universe.Comment: 22 pages, LaTeX, to appear in Phys. Rev.
Metric-scalar gravity with torsion and the measurability of the non-minimal coupling
The "measurability" of the non-minimal coupling is discussed by considering
the correction to the Newtonian static potential in the semi-classical
approach. The coefficient of the "gravitational Darwin term" (GDT) gets
redefined by the non-minimal torsion-scalar couplings. Based on a similar
analysis of the GDT in the effective field theory approach to non-minimal
scalar we conclude that for reasonable values of the couplings the correction
is very small.Comment: 10 pages, LaTex. Accepted for publication in Mod. Phys. Lett.
Brans-Dicke theory: Jordan vs Einstein Frame
It is well known that, in contrast to general relativity, there are two
conformally related frames, the Jordan frame and the Einstein frame, in which
the Brans-Dicke theory, a prototype of generic scalar-tensor theory, can be
formulated. There is a long standing debate on the physical equivalence of the
formulations in these two different frames. It is shown here that gravitational
deflection of light to second order accuracy may observationally distinguish
the two versions of the Brans-Dicke theory.Comment: 10 pages, Accepted by Mod. Phys. Letts.
Reheating after f(R) inflation
The reheating dynamics after the inflation induced by -corrected
model is considered. To avoid the complexity of solving the fourth order
equations, we analyze the inflationary and reheating dynamics in the Einstein
frame and its analytical solutions are derived. We also perform numerical
calculation including the backreaction from the particle creation and compare
the results with the analytical solutions. Based on the results, observational
constraints on the model are discussed.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figure
The (pseudo)issue of the conformal frame revisited
The issue of the equivalence between Jordan and Einstein conformal frames in
scalar-tensor gravity is revisited, with emphasis on implementing running units
in the latter. The lack of affine parametrization for timelike worldlines and
the cosmological constant problem in the Einstein frame are clarified, and a
paradox in the literature about cosmological singularities appearing only in
one frame is solved. While, classically, the two conformal frames are
physically equivalent, they seem to be inequivalent at the quantum level.Comment: 29 pages, latex, to appear in Phys. Rev.
Gravitational lensing in fourth order gravity
Gravitational lensing is investigated in the weak field limit of fourth order
gravity in which the Lagrangian of the gravitational field is modified by
replacing the Ricci scalar curvature R with an analytical expression .
Considering the case of a pointlike lens, we study the behaviour of the
deflection angle in the case of power law Lagrangians, i.e. with f(R) = f_0
R^n. In order to investigate possible detectable signatures, the position of
the Einstein ring and the solutions of the lens equation are evaluated
considering the change with respect to the standard case. Effects on the
amplification of the images and the Paczynski curve in microlensing experiments
are also estimated.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication on Physical Review
Past-directed scalar field gradients and scalar-tensor thermodynamics
We refine and slightly enlarge the recently proposed first-orderthermodynamics of scalar-tensor gravity to include gravitational scalar fieldswith timelike and past-directed gradients. The implications and subtletiesarising in this situation are discussed and an exact cosmological solution ofscalar-tensor theory in first-order thermodynamics is revisited in light ofthese results.<br
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