No Arabic abstract
In this work we study a modified version of vacuum $f(R)$ gravity with a kinetic term which consists of the first derivatives of the Ricci scalar. We develop the general formalism of this kinetic Ricci modified $f(R)$ gravity and we emphasize on cosmological applications for a spatially flat cosmological background. By using the formalism of this theory, we investigate how it is possible to realize various cosmological scenarios. Also we demonstrate that this theoretical framework can be treated as a reconstruction method, in the context of which it is possible to realize various exotic cosmologies for ordinary Einstein-Hilbert action. Finally, we derive the scalar-tensor counterpart theory of this kinetic Ricci modified $f(R)$ gravity, and we show the mathematical equivalence of the two theories.
The detection of gravitational waves by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory opens a new era to use gravitational waves to test alternative theories of gravity. We investigate the polarizations of gravitational waves in $f(R)$ gravity and Horndeski theory, both containing scalar modes. These theories predict that in addition to the familiar $+$ and $times$ polarizations, there are transverse breathing and longitudinal polarizations excited by the massive scalar mode and the new polarization is a single mixed state. It would be very difficult to detect the longitudinal polarization by interferometers, while pulsar timing array may be the better tool to detect the longitudinal polarization.
In this work by using a numerical analysis, we investigate in a quantitative way the late-time dynamics of scalar coupled $f(R,mathcal{G})$ gravity. Particularly, we consider a Gauss-Bonnet term coupled to the scalar field coupling function $xi(phi)$, and we study three types of models, one with $f(R)$ terms that are known to provide a viable late-time phenomenology, and two Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet types of models. Our aim is to write the Friedmann equation in terms of appropriate statefinder quantities frequently used in the literature, and we numerically solve it by using physically motivated initial conditions. In the case that $f(R)$ gravity terms are present, the contribution of the Gauss-Bonnet related terms is minor, as we actually expected. This result is robust against changes in the initial conditions of the scalar field, and the reason is the dominating parts of the $f(R)$ gravity sector at late times. In the Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet type of models, we examine two distinct scenarios, firstly by choosing freely the scalar potential and the scalar Gauss-Bonnet coupling $xi(phi)$, in which case the resulting phenomenology is compatible with the latest Planck data and mimics the $Lambda$-Cold-Dark-Matter model. In the second case, since there is no fundamental particle physics reason for the graviton to change its mass, we assume that primordially the tensor perturbations propagate with the speed equal to that of lights, and thus this constraint restricts the functional form of the scalar coupling function $xi(phi)$, which must satisfy the differential equation $ddot{xi}=Hdot{xi}$.
We discuss the scalar mode of gravitational waves emerging in the context of $F(R)$ gravity by taking into account the chameleon mechanism. Assuming a toy model with a specific matter distribution to reproduce the environment of detection experiment by a ground-based gravitational wave observatory, we find that chameleon mechanism remarkably suppresses the scalar wave in the atmosphere of Earth, compared with the tensor modes of the gravitational waves. We also discuss the possibility to detect and constrain scalar waves by the current gravitational observatories and advocate a necessity of the future space-based observations.
In $f(R)$ gravity and Brans-Dicke theory with scalar potentials, we study the structure of neutron stars on a spherically symmetric and static background for two equations of state: SLy and FPS. In massless BD theory, the presence of a scalar coupling $Q$ with matter works to change the star radius in comparison to General Relativity, while the maximum allowed mass of neutron stars is hardly modified for both SLy and FPS equations of state. In Brans-Dicke theory with the massive potential $V(phi)=m^2 phi^2/2$, where $m^2$ is a positive constant, we show the difficulty of realizing neutron star solutions with a stable field profile due to the existence of an exponentially growing mode outside the star. As in $f(R)$ gravity with the $R^2$ term, this property is related to the requirement of extra boundary conditions of the field at the surface of star. For the self-coupling potential $V(phi)=lambda phi^4/4$, this problem can be circumvented by the fact that the second derivative $V_{,phi phi}=3lambdaphi^2$ approaches 0 at spatial infinity. In this case, we numerically show the existence of neutron star solutions for both SLy and FPS equations of state and discuss how the mass-radius relation is modified as compared to General Relativity.
The article presents modeling of inflationary scenarios for the first time in the $f(R,T)$ theory of gravity. We assume the $f(R,T)$ functional from to be $R + eta T$, where $R$ denotes the Ricci scalar, $T$ the trace of the energy-momentum tensor and $eta$ the model parameter (constant). We first investigated an inflationary scenario where the inflation is driven purely due to geometric effects outside of GR. We found the inflation observables to be independent of the number of e-foldings in this setup. The computed value of the spectral index is consistent with latest Planck 2018 dataset while the scalar to tensor ratio is a bit higher. We then proceeded to analyze the behavior of an inflation driven by $f(R,T)$ gravity coupled with a real scalar field. By taking the slow-roll approximation, we generated interesting scenarios where a Klein Gordon potential leads to observationally consistent inflation observables. Our results makes it clear-cut that in addition to the Ricci scalar and scalar fields, the trace of energy momentum tensor also play a major role in driving inflationary scenarios.