Testing gravity using the environmental dependence of dark matter halos

In this Letter, we investigate the environmental dependence of dark matter halos in theories which attempt to explain the accelerated expansion of the Universe by modifying general relativity (GR). Using high-resolution N-body simulations in f(R) gravity models which recover GR in dense environments by virtue of the chameleon mechanism, we find a significant difference, which depends on the environment, between the lensing and dynamical masses of dark matter halos. This environmental dependence of the halo properties can be used as a smoking gun to test GR observationally.     

Gauge Model with Massive Gravitons

Gauge theory of gravity is formulated based on principle of local gauge invariance. Because the model hasstrict local gravitational gauge symmetry, and gauge theory of gravity is a perturbatively renormalizable quantum model.However, in the original model, all gauge gravitons are massless. We want to ask whether there exist massive gravitonsin Nature. In this paper, we will propose a gauge model with massive gravitons. The mass term of gravitational gaugefield is introduced into the theory without violating the strict local gravitational gauge symmetry. Massive gravitons canbe considered to be possible origin of dark energy and dark matter in the Universe.     

New Holographic Dark Energy in Chern-Simons Gravity and Cosmography

We have considered a five-dimensional action, which is composed of a gravitational sector and a sector of matter, where the gravitational sector is given by a Chern-Simons gravity action instead of the Einstein-Hilbert action and where the matter sector is given by the so-called perfect fluid with barotropic EoS and new holographic dark energy. We will study the dynamic formulation of Chern-Simons gravity, where the coupling constant is promoted to a scalar field with potential. We have studied the implications of replacing the Einstein-Hilbert action by the Chern-Simons action on the cosmological evolution for a 5D FRW metric. The deceleration parameter shows that our considered model cannot cross the phantom divide. Also the natures of the cosmography parameters are examined in Chern-Simons gravity.     

Wormhole supported by dark energy admitting conformal motion

In this article, we study the possibility of sustaining static and spherically symmetric traversable wormhole geometries admitting conformal motion in Einstein gravity, which presents a more systematic approach to search a relation between matter and geometry. In wormhole physics, the presence of exotic matter is a fundamental ingredient and we show that this exotic source can be dark energy type which support the existence of wormhole spacetimes. In this work we model a wormhole supported by dark energy which admits conformal motion. We also discuss the possibility of the detection of wormholes in the outer regions of galactic halos by means of gravitational lensing. Studies of the total gravitational energy for the exotic matter inside a static wormhole configuration are also performed.     

Accelerating Universe with spacetime torsion but without dark matter and dark energy

It is shown that cosmological equations for homogeneous isotropic models deduced in the framework of the Poincaré gauge theory of gravity by certain restrictions on indefinite parameters of gravitational Lagrangian take at asymptotics the same form as cosmological equations of general relativity theory for ΛCDM-model. Terms related to dark matter and dark energy in cosmological equations of standard theory for ΛCDM-model are connected in considered theory with the change of gravitational interaction provoked by spacetime torsion.     

Weak lensing,dark matter and dark energy

Weak gravitational lensing is rapidly becoming one of the principal probes of dark matter and dark energy in the universe. In this brief review we outline how weak lensing helps determine the structure of dark matter halos, measure the expansion rate of the universe, and distinguish between modified gravity and dark energy explanations for the acceleration of the universe. We also discuss requirements on the control of systematic errors so that the systematics do not appreciably degrade the power of weak lensing as a cosmological probe.     

Role of Entropy-Corrected New Agegraphic Dark Energy in Hořava-Lifshitz Gravity

In this work, we have considered the entropy-corrected new agegraphic dark energy (ECNADE) model in Ho?ava-Lifshitz gravity in FRW universe. We have discussed the correspondence between ECNADE and other dark energy models such as DBI-essence, Yang-Mills dark energy, Chameleon field, Non-linear electrodynamics field and hessence dark energy in the context of Ho?ava-Lifshitz gravity and reconstructed the potentials and the dynamics of the scalar field theory which describe the ECNADE.     

Neutron stars in Scalar-Tensor-Vector Gravity

Scalar-Tensor-Vector Gravity (STVG), also referred as Modified Gravity (MOG), is an alternative theory of the gravitational interaction. Its weak field approximation has been successfully used to describe Solar System observations, galaxy rotation curves, dynamics of clusters of galaxies, and cosmological data, without the imposition of dark components. The theory was formulated by John Moffat in 2006. In this work, we derive matter-sourced solutions of STVG and construct neutron star models. We aim at exploring STVG predictions about stellar structure in the strong gravity regime. Specifically, we represent spacetime with a static, spherically symmetric manifold, and model the stellar matter content with a perfect fluid energy-momentum tensor. We then derive the modified Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equation in STVG and integrate it for different equations of state. We find that STVG allows heavier neutron stars than General Relativity (GR). Maximum masses depend on a normalized parameter that quantifies the deviation from GR. The theory exhibits unusual predictions for extreme values of this parameter. We conclude that STVG admits suitable spherically symmetric solutions with matter sources, relevant for stellar structure. Since recent determinations of neutron stars masses violate some GR predictions, STVG appears as a viable candidate for a new gravity theory.     

Geometrical theories of gravitation with short-range forces

Earlier geometrical theories of gravitation with short-range forces are analyzed, in view of a more general approach, to compare some of the properties of such theories with general relativity (GR). It is found that neither the scalar-tensor nor the fourth-order theories of gravity share with GR the interesting property that the binding energy of a gravitating system may be attributed to the loss of energy in packing the matter under its own gravitational field. This general approach, in the form of a GR field equation with an effective energy-momentum tensor is used to construct a constant-density, spherically-symmetric star model, via a heuristic argument, as a perturbation of the corresponding model in GR to study the modifications to the limiting gravitational mass. The application of the present study to other problems of physical interest is briefly mentioned.     

The dark side of a patchwork universe

While observational cosmology has recently progressed fast, it revealed a serious dilemma called dark energy: an unknown source of exotic energy with negative pressure driving a current accelerating phase of the universe. All attempts so far to find a convincing theoretical explanation have failed, so that one of the last hopes is the yet to be developed quantum theory of gravity. In this article, loop quantum gravity is considered as a candidate, with an emphasis on properties which might play a role for the dark energy problem. Its basic feature is the discrete structure of space, often associated with quantum theories of gravity on general grounds. This gives rise to well-defined matter Hamiltonian operators and thus sheds light on conceptual questions related to the cosmological constant problem. It also implies typical quantum geometry effects which, from a more phenomenological point of view, may result in dark energy. In particular the latter scenario allows several non-trivial tests which can be made more precise by detailed observations in combination with a quantitative study of numerical quantum gravity. If the speculative possibility of a loop quantum gravitational origin of dark energy turns out to be realized, a program as outlined here will help to hammer out our ideas for a quantum theory of gravity, and at the same time allow predictions for the distant future of our universe.     

What if gravity becomes really repulsive in the future?

The current acceleration of the Universe is one of the most puzzling issues in theoretical physics nowadays. We are far from giving an answer in this letter to the question of its nature. Yet, with the observations we have at hand, we analyse the different patterns that the gravitational potential can show in the future. Surprisingly, gravity not only can get weaker in the near future, it can even become repulsive; or equivalently, the gravitational potential may become negative. We show this remark by using one of the simplest phenomenological model we can imagine for dark energy. We have also reviewed the statefinder approach of these models. For completeness, we have also showed the behaviour of the density contrast of dark matter and dark energy for these simple (yet illustrative models). Our results are displayed and we see how they shall evolve in the future.     

A Theorem Relating Solutions of a Fourth-Order Theory of Gravity to General Relativity

Within a fourth-order theory of gravity we give,for a static asymptotically flat spacetime, anexpression of the active mass (gravitational mass), infirst order in the coupling constant, , of the curvature squared term in the Lagrangiandensity, a generalization of the Tolman expression forthe energy, which establishes a relationship between theactive mass and the source structure in a static spacetime. Within this approximation, we canprove that the fourth-order theory shares with Generalrelativity (GR) the property that, for sources ofcompact support, the active mass is independent of any two-dimensional surface which encloses thesupport of the matter distribution. Finally, we provethat only for conformally invariant sources thefourth-order theory and GR share the same static andasymptotically flat solutions.     

Gravitational Collapse with Dark Energy and Dark Matter in Hořava-Lifshitz Gravity

In this work, the collapsing process of a spherically symmetric star, made of dust cloud, is studied in Ho?ava Lifshitz gravity in the background of Chaplygin gas dark energy. Two different classes of Chaplygin gas, namely, New variable modified Chaplygin gas and generalized cosmic Chaplygin gas are considered for the collapse study. Graphs are drawn to characterize the nature and to determine the possible outcome of gravitational collapse. A comparative study is done between the collapsing process in the two different dark energy models. It is found that for open and closed universe, collapse proceeds with an increase in black hole mass, the only constraint being that, relatively smaller values of Λ has to be considered in comparison to λ. But in case of flat universe, possibility of the star undergoing a collapse in highly unlikely. Moreover it is seen that the most favourable environment for collapse is achieved when a combination of dark energy and dark matter is considered, both in the presence and absence of interaction. Finally, it is to be seen that, contrary to our expectations, the presence of dark energy does not really hinder the collapsing process in case of Ho?ava-Lifshitz gravity.     

What is modified gravity and how to differentiate it from particle dark matter?

An obvious criterion to classify theories of modified gravity is to identify their gravitational degrees of freedom and their coupling to the metric and the matter sector. Using this simple idea, we show that any theory which depends on the curvature invariants is equivalent to general relativity in the presence of new fields that are gravitationally coupled to the energy-momentum tensor. We show that they can be shifted into a new energy-momentum tensor. There is no a priori reason to identify these new fields as gravitational degrees of freedom or matter fields. This leads to an equivalence between dark matter particles gravitationally coupled to the standard model fields and modified gravity theories designed to account for the dark matter phenomenon. Due to this ambiguity, it is impossible to differentiate experimentally between these theories and any attempt of doing so should be classified as a mere interpretation of the same phenomenon.     

Birkhoff’s theorem in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) gravity

Generalized from the so-called teleparallel gravity, which is exactly equivalent to general relativity, f(T) gravity has been proposed as an alternative gravity model to account for the dark energy phenomena. In this letter we prove that the external vacuum gravitational field for a spherically symmetric distribution of source matter in the f(T) gravity framework must be static. The conclusion is independent of the radial distribution and spherically symmetric motion of the source matter, that is, whether it is in motion or static. As a consequence, the Birkhoff’s theorem is valid in the general nonsingular f(T) theory at the un-perturbative level. We also discuss its application in the de Sitter spacetime evolution phase as preferred by present dark energy observations.     

Accelerated expansion of the universe filled up with the scalar gravitons

The concept of the scalar graviton as the source of the dark matter and dark energy of gravitational origin is applied to study the evolution of the isotropic homogeneous Universe. A realistic self-consistent solution to the modified pure gravity equations which correctly describes the accelerated expansion of the spatially flat Universe is found and investigated. It is argued that the scenario with the scalar gravitons filling up the Universe may emulate the LCDM model, thus reducing the true dark matter in the given context to an artifact. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Local and global gravity

Our long experience with Newtonian potentials has inured us to the view that gravity only produces local effects. In this paper we challenge this quite deeply ingrained notion and explicitly identify some intrinsically global gravitational effects. In particular we show that the global cosmological Hubble flow can actually modify the motions of stars and gas within individual galaxies, and even do so in a way which can apparently eliminate the need for galactic dark matter. Also we show that a classical light wave acquires an observable, global, pathdependent phase in traversing a gravitational field. Both of these effects serve to underscore the intrinsic difference between nonrelativistic and relativistic gravity.     

Generalized Ghost Pilgrim Scalar Field Models of Dark Energy

We assume generalized ghost Pilgrim dark energy (GGPDE) model in the presence of cold dark matter in flat FRW universe. With suitable choice of interaction term between GGPDE and cold dark matter, we investigate the nature of equation of state parameter for GGPDE. Also, we investigate the natures of dynamical scalar field models (such as quintessence, tachyon, k-essence, and dilaton dark energy) and concerned potentials through the correspondence phenomenon between GGPDE and these models.     

The dark-baryonic matter mass relation for observational verification in Verlinde’s emergent gravity

Recently, a new interesting idea of origin of gravity has been developed by Verlinde. In this scheme of emergent gravity, where horizon entropy, microscopic de Sitter states and relevant contribution to gravity are involved, an entropy displacement resulting from matter behaves as a memory effect and can be exhibited at sub-Hubble scales, namely, the entropy displacement and its “elastic” response would lead to emergent gravity, which gives rise to an extra gravitational force. Then galactic dark matter effects may origin from such extra emergent gravity. We discuss some concepts in Verlinde’s theory of emergent gravity and point out some possible problems or issues, e.g., the gravitational potential caused by Verlinde’s emergent apparent dark matter may no longer be continuous in spatial distribution at ordinary matter boundary (such as a massive sphere surface). In order to avoid the unnatural discontinuity of the extra emergent gravity of Verlinde’s apparent dark matter, we suggest a modified dark-baryonic mass relation (a formula relating Verlinde’s apparent dark matter mass to ordinary baryonic matter mass) within this framework of emergent gravity. The modified mass relation is consistent with Verlinde’s result at relatively small scales (e.g., \(R<3h_{70}^{-1}\) Mpc). However, it seems that, compared with Verlinde’s relation, at large scales (e.g., gravitating systems with \(R>3h_{70}^{-1}\) Mpc), the modified dark-baryonic mass relation presented here might be in better agreement with the experimental curves of weak lensing analysis in the recent work of Brouwer et al. Galactic rotation curves are compared between Verlinde’s emergent gravity and McGaugh’s recent model of MOND (Modified Newtonian Dynamics established based on recent galaxy observations). It can be found that Verlinde rotational curves deviate far from those of McGaugh MOND model when the MOND effect (or emergent dark matter) dominates. Some applications of the modified dark-baryonic mass relation inspired by Verlinde’s emergent gravity will be addressed for galactic and solar scales. Potential possibilities to test this dark-baryonic mass relation as well as apparent dark matter effects, e.g., planetary perihelion precession at Solar System scale, will be considered. This may enable to place some constraints on the magnitudes of the MOND characteristic acceleration at the small solar scale.     

Generalized Ghost Pilgrim Scalar Field Models of Dark Energy

We assume generalized ghost Pilgrim dark energy(GGPDE) model in the presence of cold dark matter in flat FRW universe.With suitable choice of interaction term between GGPDE and cold dark matter,we investigate the nature of equation of state parameter for GGPDE.Also,we investigate the natures of dynamical scalar field models(such as quintessence,tachyon,k-essence,and dilaton dark energy) and concerned potentials through the correspondence phenomenon between GGPDE and these models.