Static post-Newtonian equivalence of GR and gravity with a dynamical preferred frame

A generally covariant extension of general relativity (GR) in which a dynamical unit timelike vector field is coupled to the metric is studied in the asymptotic weak field limit of spherically symmetric static solutions. The two post-Newtonian parameters known as the Eddington-Robertson-Schiff parameters are found to be identical to those in the case of pure GR, except for some non-generic values of the coefficients in the Lagrangian.Comment: 13 pages; v.2: minor editing, signs corrected, version to appear in PRD; v. 3: signs corrected in eqn (3

Local cosmic string in generalised scalar tensor theory

A recent investigation shows that a local gauge string with a phenomenological energy momentum tensor, as prescribed by Vilenkin, is inconsistent in Brans-Dicke theory. In this work it has been shown that such a string is consistent in a more general scalar tensor theory where $\omega$ is function of the scalar field.A set of solutions of full nonlinear Einstein's equations for interior region of such a string are presented.Comment: 7 pages, latex format, minor changes according to referee's suggestions, revised version submitted in Phys.Rev.

Modern tests of Lorentz invariance

Motivated by ideas about quantum gravity, a tremendous amount of effort over the past decade has gone into testing Lorentz invariance in various regimes. This review summarizes both the theoretical frameworks for tests of Lorentz invariance and experimental advances that have made new high precision tests possible. The current constraints on Lorentz violating effects from both terrestrial experiments and astrophysical observations are presented.Comment: Modified and expanded discussions of various points. Numerous references added. Version matches that accepted by Living Reviews in Relativit