Towards the most general scalar-tensor theories of gravity: a unified approach in the language of differential forms

We use a description based on differential forms to systematically explore the space of scalar-tensor theories of gravity. Within this formalism, we propose a basis for the scalar sector at the lowest order in derivatives of the field and in any number of dimensions. This minimal basis is used to construct a finite and closed set of Lagrangians describing general scalar-tensor theories invariant under Local Lorentz Transformations in a pseudo-Riemannian manifold, which contains ten physically distinct elements in four spacetime dimensions. Subsequently, we compute their corresponding equations of motion and find which combinations are at most second order in derivatives in four as well as arbitrary number of dimensions. By studying the possible exact forms (total derivatives) and algebraic relations between the basis components, we discover that there are only four Lagrangian combinations producing second order equations, which can be associated with Horndeski's theory. In this process, we identify a new second order Lagrangian, named kinetic Gauss-Bonnet, that was not previously considered in the literature. However, we show that its dynamics is already contained in Horndeski's theory. Finally, we provide a full classification of the relations between different second order theories. This allows us to clarify, for instance, the connection between different covariantizations of Galileons theory. In conclusion, our formulation affords great computational simplicity with a systematic structure. As a first step we focus on theories with second order equations of motion. However, this new formalism aims to facilitate advances towards unveiling the most general scalar-tensor theories.Comment: 28 pages, 1 figure, version published in PRD (minor changes

Dark Energy in Light of Multi-Messenger Gravitational-Wave Astronomy

Gravitational waves (GWs) provide a new tool to probe the nature of dark energy (DE) and the fundamental properties of gravity. We review the different ways in which GWs can be used to test gravity and models for late-time cosmic acceleration. Lagrangian-based gravitational theories beyond general relativity (GR) are classified into those breaking fundamental assumptions, containing additional fields and massive graviton(s). In addition to Lagrangian based theories we present the effective theory of DE and the μ-Σ parametrization as general descriptions of cosmological gravity. Multi-messenger GW detections can be used to measure the cosmological expansion (standard sirens), providing an independent test of the DE equation of state and measuring the Hubble parameter. Several key tests of gravity involve the cosmological propagation of GWs, including anomalous GW speed, massive graviton excitations, Lorentz violating dispersion relation, modified GW luminosity distance and additional polarizations, which may also induce GW oscillations. We summarize present constraints and their impact on DE models, including those arising from the binary neutron star merger GW170817. Upgrades of LIGO-Virgo detectors to design sensitivity and the next generation facilities such as LISA or Einstein Telescope will significantly improve these constraints in the next two decades

Kinetic mixing in scalar-tensor theories of gravity

[EN] Kinetic mixing between the metric and scalar degrees of freedom is an essential ingredient in contemporary scalar-tensor theories. This often makes it hard to understand their physical content, especially when derivative mixing is present, as is the case for Horndeski action. In this work we develop a method that allows us to write a Ricci-curvature-free scalar field equation, and we discuss some of the advantages of such a rephrasing in the study of stability issues in the presence of matter, the existence of an Einstein frame, and the generalization of the disformal screening mechanism. For quartic Horndeski theories, such a procedure leaves, in general, a residual coupling to the curvature, given by the Weyl tensor. This gives rise to a binary classification of scalar-tensor theories into stirred theories, in which the curvature can be substituted, and shaken theories, in which a residual coupling to the curvature remains. Quite remarkably, we have found that generalized Dirac-Born-Infeld Galileons belong to the first class. Finally, we discuss kinetic mixing in quintic theories, in which nonlinear mixing terms appear, and in the recently proposed theories beyond Horndeski that display a novel form of kinetic mixing, in which the field equation is sourced by derivatives of the energy-momentum tensor

Gravitational wave lensing beyond general relativity: Birefringence, echoes, and shadows

Gravitational waves (GW), as light, are gravitationally lensed by intervening matter, deflecting their trajectories, delaying their arrival and occasionally producing multiple images. In theories beyond general relativity, new gravitational degrees of freedom add an extra layer of complexity and richness to GW lensing. We develop a formalism to compute GW propagation beyond general relativity over general space-times, including kinetic interactions with new fields. Our framework relies on identifying the dynamical propagation eigenstates (linear combinations of the metric and additional fields) at leading order in a short-wave expansion. We determine these eigenstates and the conditions under which they acquire a different propagation speed around a lens. Differences in speed between eigenstates cause birefringence phenomena, including time delays between the metric polarizations (orthogonal superpositions of $h_+$, $h_×$) observable without an electromagnetic counterpart. In particular, GW echoes are produced when the accumulated delay is larger than the signal's duration, while shorter time delays produce a scrambling of the waveform. We also describe the formation of GW shadows as nonpropagating metric components are sourced by the background of the additional fields around the lens. As an example, we apply our methodology to quartic Horndeski theories with Vainshtein screening and show that birefringence effects probe a region of the parameter space complementary to the constraints from the multimessenger event GW170817. In the future, identified strongly lensed GWs and binary black holes merging near dense environments, such as active galactic nuclei, will fulfill the potential of these novel tests of gravity

A spectre is haunting the cosmos: Quantum stability of massive gravity with ghosts

Many theories of modified gravity with higher order derivatives are usually ignored because of serious problems that appear due to an additional ghost degree of freedom. Most dangerously, it causes an immediate decay of the vacuum. However, breaking Lorentz invariance can cure such abominable behavior. By analyzing a model that describes a massive graviton together with a remaining Boulware-Deser ghost mode we show that even ghostly theories of modified gravity can yield models that are viable at both classical and quantum levels and, therefore, they should not generally be ruled out. Furthermore, we identify the most dangerous quantum scattering process that has the main impact on the decay time and find differences to simple theories that only describe an ordinary scalar field and a ghost. Additionally, constraints on the parameters of the theory including some upper bounds on the Lorentz-breaking cutoff scale are presented. In particular, for a simple theory of massive gravity we find that a breaking of Lorentz invariance is allowed to happen even at scales above the Planck mass. Finally, we discuss the relevance to other theories of modified gravity.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figures, version published in JHE

Probing the foundations of the standerd cosmological model

Tesis doctoral inédita, leñida en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Física Teórica. Fecha de lectura: 16-11-201

Probing lens-induced gravitational-wave birefringence as a test of general relativity

Theories beyond general relativity (GR) modify the propagation of gravitational waves (GWs). In some, inhomogeneities (aka, gravitational lenses) allow interactions between the metric and additional fields to cause lens-induced birefringence (LIB): a different speed of the two linear GW polarizations (+ and ×). Inhomogeneities then act as nonisotropic crystals, splitting the GW signal into two components whose relative time delay depends on the theory and lens parameters. Here we study the observational prospects for GW scrambling, i.e. when the time delay between both GW polarizations is smaller than the signal's duration and the waveform recorded by a detector is distorted. We analyze the latest LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA catalog, GWTC-3, and find no conclusive evidence for LIB. The highest log Bayes factor that we find in favor of LIB is 3.21 for GW190521, a particularly loud but short event. However, when accounting for false alarms due to (Gaussian) noise fluctuations, this evidence is below 1σ. The tightest constraint on the time delay is <0.51 ms at 90% confidence level (CL) from GW200311_115853. From the nonobservation of GW scrambling, we constrain the optical depth for LIB, accounting for the chance of randomly distributed lenses (e.g. galaxies) along the line of sight. Our LIB constraints on a (quartic) scalar-tensor Horndeski theory are more stringent than Solar System tests for a wide parameter range and comparable to GW170817 in some limits. Interpreting GW190521 as an active galactic nucleus (AGN) binary (i.e. taking an AGN flare as a counterpart) allows even more stringent constraints. Our results demonstrate the potential and high sensitivity achievable by tests of GR, based on GW lensing

Lensing of gravitational waves: efficient wave-optics methods and validation with symmetric lenses

Gravitational wave (GW) astronomy offers the potential to probe the wave-optics regime of gravitational lensing. Wave optics (WO) effects are relevant at low frequencies, when the wavelength is comparable to the characteristic lensing time delay multiplied by the speed of light, and are thus often negligible for electromagnetic signals. Accurate predictions require computing the conditionally convergent diffraction integral, which involves highly oscillatory integrands and is numerically difficult. We develop and implement several methods to compute lensing predictions in the WO regime valid for general gravitational lenses. First, we derive approximations for high and low frequencies, obtaining explicit expressions for several analytic lens models. Next, we discuss two numerical methods suitable in the intermediate frequency range: 1) Regularized contour flow yields accurate answers in a fraction of a second for a broad range of frequencies. 2) Complex deformation is slower, but requires no knowledge of solutions to the geometric lens equation. Both methods are independent and complement each other. We verify sub-percent accuracy for several lens models, which should be sufficient for applications to GW astronomy in the near future. Apart from modelling lensed GWs, our method will also be applicable to the study of plasma lensing of radio waves and tests of gravity.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures. Matches PRD versio

Gravitational wave lensing as a probe of halo properties and dark matter

Just like light, gravitational waves (GWs) are deflected and magnified by gravitational fields as they propagate through the Universe. However, their low frequency, phase coherence and feeble coupling to matter allow for distinct lensing phenomena, such as diffraction and central images, that are challenging to observe through electromagnetic sources. Here we explore how these phenomena can be used to probe features of gravitational lenses. We focus on two variants of the singular isothermal sphere, with 1) a variable slope of the matter density and 2) a central core. We describe the imprints of these features in the wave- and geometric-optics regimes, including the prospect of detecting central images. We forecast the capacity of LISA and advanced LIGO to study strongly lensed signals and measure the projected lens mass, impact parameter and slope or core size. A broad range of lens masses allows all parameters to be measured with precision up to $\sim 1/{\rm SNR}$, despite large degeneracies. Thanks to wave-optics corrections, all parameters can be measured, even when no central image forms. Although GWs are sensitive to projected quantities, we compute the probability distribution of lens redshift, virial mass and projection scale given a cosmology. As an application, we consider the prospect of constraining self-interacting and ultra-light dark matter, showing the regions of parameter space accessible to strongly-lensed GWs. The distinct GW signatures will enable novel probes of fundamental physics and astrophysics, including the properties of dark matter and the central regions of galactic halos.Comment: 43 pages, 27 figures. Matches PRD versio