Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2008-06-20
Phys.Rev.D78:104021,2008
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
18 pages, 5 figures
Scientific paper
10.1103/PhysRevD.78.104021
We analyse f(R) modifications of Einstein's gravity as dark energy models in the light of their connection with chameleon theories. Formulated as scalar-tensor theories, the f(R) theories imply the existence of a strong coupling of the scalar field to matter. This would violate all experimental gravitational tests on deviations from Newton's law. Fortunately, the existence of a matter dependent mass and a thin shell effect allows one to alleviate these constraints. The thin shell condition also implies strong restrictions on the cosmological dynamics of the f(R) theories. As a consequence, we find that the equation of state of dark energy is constrained to be extremely close to -1 in the recent past. We also examine the potential effects of f(R) theories in the context of the Eot-wash experiments. We show that the requirement of a thin shell for the test bodies is not enough to guarantee a null result on deviations from Newton's law. As long as dark energy accounts for a sizeable fraction of the total energy density of the Universe, the constraints which we deduce also forbid any measurable deviation of the dark energy equation of state from -1. All in all, we find that both cosmological and laboratory tests imply that f(R) models are almost coincident with a Lambda-CDM model at the background level.
Brax Philippe
Davis Anne--Christine
Shaw Douglas J.
van de Bruck Carsten
No associations
LandOfFree
f(R) Gravity and Chameleon Theories does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with f(R) Gravity and Chameleon Theories, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and f(R) Gravity and Chameleon Theories will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-371472