An alternative f(R, T) gravity theory and the dark energy problem

Recently, a generalized gravity theory was proposed by Harko et al. where the Lagrangian density is an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar R and the trace of the stress-energy tensor T, known as F(R,T) gravity. In their derivation of the field equations, they have not considered conservation of the stress-energy tensor. In the present work, we have shown that a part of the arbitrary function f(R,T) can be determined if we take into account of the conservation of stress-energy tensor, although the form of the field equations remain similar. For homogeneous and isotropic model of the universe the field equations are solved and corresponding cosmological aspects has been discussed. Finally, we have studied the energy conditions in this modified gravity theory both generally and a particular case of perfect fluid with constant equation of state.     

Kinematics and dynamics off(R) theories of gravity

We generalise the equations governing relativistic fluid dynamics given by Ehlers and Ellis for general relativity, and by Maartens and Taylor for quadratic theories, to generalisedf(R) theories of gravity. In view of the usefulness of this alternative framework to general relativity, its generalisation can be of potential importance for deriving analogous results to those obtained in general relativity. We generalise, as an example, the results of Maartens and Taylor to show that within the framework of generalf(R) theories, a perfect fluid spacetime with vanishing vorticity, shear and acceleration is Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker only if the fluid has in addition a barotropic equation of state. It then follows that the Ehlers-Geren-Sachs theorem and its almost extension also hold forf(R) theories of gravity.     

Palatini formulation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) gravity theory,and its cosmological implications

We consider the Palatini formulation of f(R, T) gravity theory, in which a non-minimal coupling between the Ricci scalar and the trace of the energy-momentum tensor is introduced, by considering the metric and the affine connection as independent field variables. The field equations and the equations of motion for massive test particles are derived, and we show that the independent connection can be expressed as the Levi-Civita connection of an auxiliary, energy-momentum trace dependent metric, related to the physical metric by a conformal transformation. Similar to the metric case, the field equations impose the non-conservation of the energy-momentum tensor. We obtain the explicit form of the equations of motion for massive test particles in the case of a perfect fluid, and the expression of the extra force, which is identical to the one obtained in the metric case. The thermodynamic interpretation of the theory is also briefly discussed. We investigate in detail the cosmological implications of the theory, and we obtain the generalized Friedmann equations of the f(R, T) gravity in the Palatini formulation. Cosmological models with Lagrangians of the type \(f=R-\alpha ^2/R+g(T)\) and \(f=R+\alpha ^2R^2+g(T)\) are investigated. These models lead to evolution equations whose solutions describe accelerating Universes at late times.     

Energy Distribution for a Power Model of the Plane Symmetric Spacetime in f(R) Gravity

The study of the energy localization in f(R) theories of gravity has attracted much interest in recent years. In this paper, the vacuum solutions of the modified field equations for a power model of plane symmetric metric are studied in metric f(R) gravity with the assumption of constant Ricci scalar. Next, we determine the energy-momentum complexes in f(R) theories of gravity for this spacetime for some important models. We also show that these models satisfy the stability and constant curvature conditions.     

Energy Distribution for a Power Model of the Plane Symmetric Spacetime in f (R) Gravity

The study of the energy localization in f(R)theories of gravity has attracted much interest in recent years.In this paper,the vacuum solutions of the modified field equations for a power model of plane symmetric metric are studied in metric f(R)gravity with the assumption of constant Ricci scalar.Next,we determine the energy-momentum complexes in f(R)theories of gravity for this spacetime for some important models.We also show that these models satisfy the stability and constant curvature conditions.     

A New Exponential Gravity

We propose a new exponential f（R） gravity model with f（R） = （R - λc） e^λ（c/R）n and n 〉 3, λ ≥ 1, c 〉 0 to explain late-time acceleration of the universe. At the high curvature region, the model behaves like the A CDM model. In the asymptotic future, it reaches a stable de-Sitter spaeetime. It is a cosmologically viable model and can evade the local gravity constraints easily. This model shares many features with other f（R） dark energy models like Hu-Sawicki model and ExponentiM gravity model. In it the dark energy equation of state is of an oscillating form and can cross phantom divide line ωde = -1. In particular, in the parameter range 3 〈 n ≤ 4, λ ～ 1, the model is most distinguishable from other models. For instance, when n = 4, λ = 1, the dark energy equation of state will cross -1 in the earlier future and has a stronger oscillating form than the other models, the dark energy density in asymptotical future is smaller than the one in the high curvature region. This new model can evade the local gravity tests easily when n 〉 3 and λ 〉 1.     

f(G,T) Gravity with Cylindrically Symmetric Relativistic Fluids

The aim of this paper is to examine the structure scalars with account of f(G, T) theory of gravity. We consider the cylindrically symmetric spacetime with dissipative anisotropic background. We have determined the structure scalars by orthogonally decomposing the Riemann curvature tensor and it is shown that these scalars are associated with fundamental properties of fluid. We further investigate the mass function along with the transport equation and discuss their role on the evolutionary stages of relativistic stellar systems. We have also analyzed these structure scalars for static fluid distributions and it is concluded that all possible solutions of field equations can be expressed through these scalars.     

Phase Space Analysis and Anisotropic Universe Model in f(T) Gravity

In this paper, we study the stability of locally rotationally symmetric(LRS) Bianchi I universe model in f(T) gravity through phase space analysis. We assume that the f(T) gravity can be treated as effective dark energy behaving like perfect fluid, and suggest that there are interactions between pressureless matter as well as dark energy.We construct the corresponding autonomous system of equations to check the stability of the model for non phantom,vacuum and phantom phases. It is concluded that critical points remain more stable in phantom phase as compared to non phantom and vacuum cases. Finally, we discuss the cosmological behavior of the model through some cosmological parameters.     

Energy Bounds for Static Spherically Symmetric Spacetime in f(R,G) Gravity

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate energy bounds in the context of f(R,G) gravity. To meet this aim, we choose static spherically symmetric spacetime in f(R,G) gravity to develop the field equations. We select three different models of f(R,G) gravity, which are thoroughly discussed in the literature. Firstly, the inequalities are formulated using energy bounds and then viability of the considered models are checked respectively. Graphical analysis show that specific f(R,G) gravity models are satisfied under suitable values of model parameters. It is shown that in a certain case energy bounds are satisfied expect SEC, which supports the late time acceleration expansion of unverse.     

Energy Bounds for Static Spherically Symmetric Spacetime in f(R,G) Gravity

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate energy bounds in the context of f(R, G) gravity. To meet this aim, we choose static spherically symmetric spacetime in f(R, G) gravity to develop the field equations. We select three different models of f(R, G) gravity, which are thoroughly discussed in the literature. Firstly, the inequalities are formulated using energy bounds and then viability of the considered models are checked respectively. Graphical analysis show that specific f(R, G) gravity models are satisfied under suitable values of model parameters. It is shown that in a certain case energy bounds are satisfied expect SEC, which supports the late time acceleration expansion of unverse.     

Universality of entropy principle for a general diffeomorphism-covariant purely gravitational theory

Thermodynamics plays an important role in gravitational theories. It is a principle that is independent of gravitational dynamics, and there is still no rigorous proof to show that it is consistent with the dynamical principle. We consider a self-gravitating perfect fluid system with the general diffeomorphism-covariant purely gravitational theory. Based on the Noether charge method proposed by Iyer and Wald, considering static off/on-shell variational configurations, which satisfy the gravitational constraint equation, we rigorously prove that the extrema of the total entropy of a perfect fluid inside a compact region for a fixed total particle number demands that the static configuration is an on-shell solution after we introduce some appropriate boundary conditions, i.e., it also satisfies the spatial gravitational equations. This means that the entropy principle of the fluid stores the same information as the gravitational equation in a static configuration. Our proof is universal and holds for any diffeomorphism-covariant purely gravitational theories, such as Einstein gravity, \begin{document}$ f(R)$\end{document} gravity, Lovelock gravity, f(Gauss-Bonnet) gravity and Einstein-Weyl gravity. Our result indicates the consistency between ordinary thermodynamics and gravitational dynamics.     

Dynamical instability of charged self-gravitating stars in modified gravity

This paper explores the instability limits for the stellar objects in the background of a particular modified gravity theory. In order to accomplish the instability conditions, a spherically symmetric anisotropic charged fluid influenced by the modified gravity is taken under consideration. The modified field equations and the equations of motion are accomplished in background of the Gauss–Bonnet gravity. These equations are perturbed to constitute the collapse equation. The Newtonian and post-Newtonian limits are imposed and found that the dynamical instability of the fluid is explained by the adiabatic index which consists on analytical value depending on static profile of material variables.     

Instability analysis of a cylindrical stellar object in Brans–Dicke gravity

This paper investigates instability ranges of a cylindrically symmetric collapsing cosmic filamentary structure in the Brans–Dicke theory of gravity. For this purpose, we use a perturbating approach to the modified field equations as well as dynamic equations and construct a collapse equation. The collapse equation with an adiabatic index (Γ) is used to explore the instability ranges of both isotropic and anisotropic fluid in Newtonian and post-Newtonian approximations. It turns out that the instability ranges depend on the dynamic variables of collapsing filaments. We conclude that the system always remains unstable for 0 < Γ < 1, while Γ > 1 provides instability only in a special case.     

Bianchi types I and V bulk viscous fluid cosmological models in f(R,T) gravity theory

In this paper we present non-singular Bianchi types I and V cosmological models, in the presence of bulk viscous fluid and within the framework of f(R,T) gravity theory. Exact solutions to the field equations are obtained by choosing a particular form of the function f(R,T) and a special value for the average scale factor of the model, which corresponds to a time- dependent deceleration parameter. The cosmological models initially accelerate for a certain period of time and thereafter decelerate. The physical and kinematical properties of the models of the universe are discussed.     

First order formalism off(R) gravity

The first order formalism is applied to study the field equations of a general Lagrangian density for gravity of the form . These field equations correspond to theories which are a subclass of conformally metric theories in which the derivative of the metric is proportional to the metric by a Weyl vector field. The resulting geometrical structure is unique, except whenf(R)=aR ², in the sense that the Weyl field is identifiable in terms of the trace of the energy-momentum tensor and its derivatives. In the casef(R)=aR ² the metric is only defined up to a conformai factor. We discuss the matter conservation equations which are implied by the invariance of the theories under diffeomorphisms. We apply the results to the case of dust and obtain that in general the dust particles will not follow geodesic Unes. We consider the linearized field equations and apply them to obtain the weak field slow motion limit. It is found that the gravitational potential acquires a new term which depends linearly on the mass density. The importance of these new equations is briefly discussed.     

Instability of collapsing source under expansion-free condition in einstein Gauss–Bonnet gravity

In this work, we have investigated the dynamical instability of spherically symmetric gravitating object under expansion-free condition in Einstein Gauss–Bonnet gravity. In this context, the field equations and dynamical equations have been established in the Gauss–Bonnet gravity. The linear perturbation scheme has been used on the dynamical equations to construct the collapse equation. The Newtonian, post Newtonian and post Newtonian approximations have been applied to investigate the general dynamical (in)stability equations. It has been observed that the instability range of the collapsing source is independent of adiabatic index Γ (stiffness of the fluid does not play any role). The instability range can be determined by the pressure anisotropy, energy density profile, Gauss–Bonnet parameter α and some constraints at Newtonian, post Newtonian and post Newtonian order.     

Spherical Symmetric Perfect Fluid Collapse in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) Gravity

This paper contains the study of spherically symmetric perfect fluid collapse in the frame work of f(R, T) modified theory of gravity. We proceed our work by considering the non-static spherically symmetric background in the interior and static spherically symmetric background in the exterior regions of the star. The junction conditions between exterior and interior regions are presented by matching the exterior and interior regions. The field equations are solved by taking the assumptions that the Ricci scalar as well as the trace of energy-momentum tensor are to be constant, for a particular f(R, T) model. By inserting the solution of the field equations in junction conditions, we evaluate the gravitational mass of the collapsing system. Also, we discuss the apparent horizons and their time formation for different possible cases. It is concluded that the term f(R ₀, T ₀) behaves as a source of repulsive force and that’s why it slowdowns the collapse of the matter.     

The most general ELKO matter in torsional f(R)‐theories

We study f(R)‐gravity with torsion in presence of the most general ELKO matter, checking the consistency of the conservation laws with the matter field equations; we discuss some mathematical features of the field equations in connection with a cosmological application.     

A Modified Gravity Theory: Null Aether

General quantum gravity arguments predict that Lorentz symmetry might not hold exactly in nature. This has motivated much interest in Lorentz breaking gravity theories recently. Among such models are vector-tensor theories with preferred direction established at every point of spacetime by a fixed-norm vector field. The dynamical vector field defined in this way is referred to as the "aether". In this paper, we put forward the idea of a null aether field and introduce, for the first time, the Null Aether Theory(NAT) — a vector-tensor theory. We first study the Newtonian limit of this theory and then construct exact spherically symmetric black hole solutions in the theory in four dimensions, which contain Vaidya-type non-static solutions and static Schwarzschild-(A)dS type solutions, Reissner-Nordstr?m-(A)dS type solutions and solutions of conformal gravity as special cases. Afterwards, we study the cosmological solutions in NAT:We find some exact solutions with perfect fluid distribution for spatially flat FLRW metric and null aether propagating along the x direction. We observe that there are solutions in which the universe has big-bang singularity and null field diminishes asymptotically. We also study exact gravitational wave solutions — AdS-plane waves and pp-waves — in this theory in any dimension D ≥ 3. Assuming the Kerr-Schild-Kundt class of metrics for such solutions, we show that the full field equations of the theory are reduced to two, in general coupled, differential equations when the background metric assumes the maximally symmetric form. The main conclusion of these computations is that the spin-0 aether field acquires a "mass" determined by the cosmological constant of the background spacetime and the Lagrange multiplier given in the theory.