Thick brane models in generalized theories of gravity

This work deals with thick braneworld models, in an environment where the Ricci scalar is changed to accommodate the addition of two extra terms, one depending on the Ricci scalar itself, and the other, which takes into account the trace of the energy-momentum tensor of the scalar field that sources the braneworld scenario. We suppose that the scalar field engenders standard kinematics, and we show explicitly that the gravity sector of this new braneworld scenario is linearly stable. We illustrate the general results investigating two distinct models, focusing on how the brane profile is changed in the modified theories.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures. To appear in PL

First-order formalism for twinlike models with several real scalar fields

We investigate the presence of twinlike models in theories described by several real scalar fields. We focus on the first-order formalism, and we show how to build distinct scalar field theories that support the same extended solution, with the same energy density and the very same linear stability. The results are valid for two distinct classes of generalized models, that include the standard model and cover a diversity of generalized models of current interest in high energy physics.Comment: 9 pages; Version to appear in EPJ

Braneworld solutions for F(R) models with non-constant curvature

This work deal with braneworld scenarios with generalized gravity. We investigate models where the potential of the scalar field is polynomial or nonpolynomial. We obtain exact and approximated solutions for the scalar field, warp factor and energy density, in the complex scenario with no restriction on the scalar curvature. In particular, we describe the case where the brane may split, engendering internal structure, with the splitting caused by the same parameter that controls deviation from standard gravity.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures; new versio