Universe

Editorial

Jump to: Research

4 pages, 222 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial of Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications

by Panayiotis Stavrinos and Emmanuel Saridakis

Universe 2022, 8(8), 415; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe8080415 - 9 Aug 2022

Viewed by 1303

Abstract

General Relativity is a theory of gravity that describes some of the effects of gravity with high accuracy, such as solar system tests, gravitational lensing, gravitational waves, black holes, deflection angle, etc [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

13 pages, 951 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Palatini f(R) Gravity and Variants of k-/Constant Roll/Warm Inflation within Variation of Strong Coupling Scenario

by Mahmoud AlHallak, Amer AlRakik, Nidal Chamoun and Moustafa Sayem El-Daher

Universe 2022, 8(2), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe8020126 - 15 Feb 2022

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 1920

Abstract

We show that upon applying Palatini

f (R)

, characterized by an

α R^{2}

term, within a scenario motivated by a temporal variation of strong coupling constant, then one obtains a quadratic kinetic energy. We do not drop this term, [...] Read more.

We show that upon applying Palatini

f (R)

, characterized by an

α R^{2}

term, within a scenario motivated by a temporal variation of strong coupling constant, then one obtains a quadratic kinetic energy. We do not drop this term, but rather study two extreme cases:

α < < 1

and

α > > 1

. In both cases, one can generate a kinematically-induced inflationary paradigm. In order to fit the Planck 2018 data, the

α > > 1

case, called k-inflation, requires a fine tuning adjustment with nonvanishing nonminimal coupling to gravity parameter

ξ

, whereas the

α < < 1

case, studied in the constant-roll regime, can fit the data for vanishing

ξ

. The varying strong coupling inflation scenario remains viable when implemented through a warm inflation scenario with or without

f (R)

gravity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 7454 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimating the Parameters of the Hybrid Palatini Gravity Model with the Schwarzschild Precession of S2, S38 and S55 Stars: Case of Bulk Mass Distribution

by Duško Borka, Vesna Borka Jovanović, Violeta N. Nikolić, Nenad Đ. Lazarov and Predrag Jovanović

Universe 2022, 8(2), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe8020070 - 24 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2409

Abstract

We estimate the parameters of the Hybrid Palatini gravity model with the Schwarzschild precession of S-stars, specifically of the S2, S38 and S55 stars. We also take into account the case of bulk mass distribution near the Galactic Center. We assume that the [...] Read more.

We estimate the parameters of the Hybrid Palatini gravity model with the Schwarzschild precession of S-stars, specifically of the S2, S38 and S55 stars. We also take into account the case of bulk mass distribution near the Galactic Center. We assume that the Schwarzschild orbital precession of mentioned S-stars is the same as in General Relativity (GR) in all studied cases. In 2020, the GRAVITY Collaboration detected the orbital precession of the S2 star around the supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the Galactic Center and showed that it is close to the GR prediction. The astronomical data analysis of S38 and S55 orbits showed that, also in these cases, the orbital precession is close to the GR prediction. Based on this observational fact, we evaluated the parameters of the Hybrid Palatini Gravity model with the Schwarzschild precession of the S2, S38 and S55 stars, and we estimated the range of parameters of the Hybrid Palatini gravity model for which the orbital precession is as in GR for all three stars. We also evaluated the parameters of the Hybrid Palatini Gravity model in the case of different values of bulk mass density distribution of extended matter. We believe that proposed method is a useful tool to evaluate parameters of the gravitational potential at the Galactic Center. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 296 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the Conformal Frames in f(R) Gravity

by Yuri Shtanov

Universe 2022, 8(2), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe8020069 - 23 Jan 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2012

Abstract

We discuss gravitational physics in the Jordan and Einstein frames of

f (R)

gravity coupled to the Standard Model. We elucidate the way in which the observed gravitational coupling arises in the Einstein frame for generic

f (R)

. [...] Read more.

We discuss gravitational physics in the Jordan and Einstein frames of

f (R)

gravity coupled to the Standard Model. We elucidate the way in which the observed gravitational coupling arises in the Einstein frame for generic

f (R)

. We point out that the effect of “running units” in the Einstein frame is related to the fact that the explicit and implicit quantum parameters of the Standard Model, such as the Higgs vacuum expectation value and the parameter

Λ_{QCD}

, are modified by the conformal transformation of the metric and matter fields and become scalaron-dependent. Considering the scalaron of

f (R)

gravity describing dark matter, we show that the effect of running units in this case is extremely weak, making two frames practically equivalent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

21 pages, 332 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On Maxwell Electrodynamics in Multi-Dimensional Spaces

by Alexei M. Frolov

Universe 2022, 8(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe8010020 - 30 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1637

Abstract

The governing equations of Maxwell electrodynamics in multi-dimensional spaces are derived from the variational principle of least action, which is applied to the action function of the electromagnetic field. The Hamiltonian approach for the electromagnetic field in multi-dimensional pseudo-Euclidean (flat) spaces has also [...] Read more.

The governing equations of Maxwell electrodynamics in multi-dimensional spaces are derived from the variational principle of least action, which is applied to the action function of the electromagnetic field. The Hamiltonian approach for the electromagnetic field in multi-dimensional pseudo-Euclidean (flat) spaces has also been developed and investigated. Based on the two arising first-class constraints, we have generalized to multi-dimensional spaces a number of different gauges known for the three-dimensional electromagnetic field. For multi-dimensional spaces of non-zero curvature the governing equations for the multi-dimensional electromagnetic field are written in a manifestly covariant form. Multi-dimensional Einstein’s equations of metric gravity in the presence of an electromagnetic field have been re-written in the true tensor form. Methods of scalar electrodynamics are applied to analyze Maxwell equations in the two and one-dimensional spaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

11 pages, 519 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interiors of Terrestrial Planets in Metric-Affine Gravity

by Aleksander Kozak and Aneta Wojnar

Universe 2022, 8(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe8010003 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2348

Abstract

Using a semiempirical approach, we show that modified gravity affects the internal properties of terrestrial planets, such as their physical characteristics of a core, mantle, and core–mantle boundary. We also apply these findings for modeling a two-layer exoplanet in Palatini [...] Read more.

Using a semiempirical approach, we show that modified gravity affects the internal properties of terrestrial planets, such as their physical characteristics of a core, mantle, and core–mantle boundary. We also apply these findings for modeling a two-layer exoplanet in Palatini

f (R)

gravity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gravity Models with Nonlinear Symmetry Realization

by Stanislav Alexeyev, Daniil Krichevskiy and Boris Latosh

Universe 2021, 7(12), 501; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7120501 - 17 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1846

Abstract

Validity of three gravity models with non-linear realization of conformal symmetry previously discussed in literature is addressed. Two models are found to be equivalent up to a change of coset coordinates. It was found that models contain ghost degrees of freedom that may [...] Read more.

Validity of three gravity models with non-linear realization of conformal symmetry previously discussed in literature is addressed. Two models are found to be equivalent up to a change of coset coordinates. It was found that models contain ghost degrees of freedom that may be excluded by an introduction of an additional symmetry to the target space. One model found to be safe in early universe. The others found to lack spin-2 degrees of freedom and to have peculiar coupling to matter degrees of freedom. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

19 pages, 9989 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Charged Particle Motions near Non-Schwarzschild Black Holes with External Magnetic Fields in Modified Theories of Gravity

by Hongxing Zhang, Naying Zhou, Wenfang Liu and Xin Wu

Universe 2021, 7(12), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7120488 - 10 Dec 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2413

Abstract

A small deformation to the Schwarzschild metric controlled by four free parameters could be referred to as a nonspinning black hole solution in alternative theories of gravity. Since such a non-Schwarzschild metric can be changed into a Kerr-like black hole metric via a [...] Read more.

A small deformation to the Schwarzschild metric controlled by four free parameters could be referred to as a nonspinning black hole solution in alternative theories of gravity. Since such a non-Schwarzschild metric can be changed into a Kerr-like black hole metric via a complex coordinate transformation, the recently proposed time-transformed, explicit symplectic integrators for the Kerr-type spacetimes are suitable for a Hamiltonian system describing the motion of charged particles around the non-Schwarzschild black hole surrounded with an external magnetic field. The obtained explicit symplectic methods are based on a time-transformed Hamiltonian split into seven parts, whose analytical solutions are explicit functions of new coordinate time. Numerical tests show that such explicit symplectic integrators for intermediate time steps perform well long-term when stabilizing Hamiltonian errors, regardless of regular or chaotic orbits. One of the explicit symplectic integrators with the techniques of Poincaré sections and fast Lyapunov indicators is applied to investigate the effects of the parameters, including the four free deformation parameters, on the orbital dynamical behavior. From the global phase-space structure, chaotic properties are typically strengthened under some circumstances, as the magnitude of the magnetic parameter or any one of the negative deformation parameters increases. However, they are weakened when the angular momentum or any one of the positive deformation parameters increases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 315 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nontrivial Isometric Embeddings for Flat Spaces

by Sergey Paston and Taisiia Zaitseva

Universe 2021, 7(12), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7120477 - 4 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1993

Abstract

Nontrivial isometric embeddings for flat metrics (i.e., those which are not just planes in the ambient space) can serve as useful tools in the description of gravity in the embedding gravity approach. Such embeddings can additionally be required to have the same symmetry [...] Read more.

Nontrivial isometric embeddings for flat metrics (i.e., those which are not just planes in the ambient space) can serve as useful tools in the description of gravity in the embedding gravity approach. Such embeddings can additionally be required to have the same symmetry as the metric. On the other hand, it is possible to require the embedding to be unfolded so that the surface in the ambient space would occupy the subspace of the maximum possible dimension. In the weak gravitational field limit, such a requirement together with a large enough dimension of the ambient space makes embedding gravity equivalent to general relativity, while at lower dimensions it guarantees the linearizability of the equations of motion. We discuss symmetric embeddings for the metrics of flat Euclidean three-dimensional space and Minkowski space. We propose the method of sequential surface deformations for the construction of unfolded embeddings. We use it to construct such embeddings of flat Euclidean three-dimensional space and Minkowski space, which can be used to analyze the equations of motion of embedding gravity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

11 pages, 280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Killing Tensor and Carter Constant for Painlevé–Gullstrand Form of Lense–Thirring Spacetime

by Joshua Baines, Thomas Berry, Alex Simpson and Matt Visser

Universe 2021, 7(12), 473; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7120473 - 3 Dec 2021

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 2101

Abstract

Recently, the authors have formulated and explored a novel Painlevé–Gullstrand variant of the Lense–Thirring spacetime, which has some particularly elegant features, including unit-lapse, intrinsically flat spatial 3-slices, and some particularly simple geodesics—the “rain” geodesics. At the linear level in the rotation parameter, this [...] Read more.

Recently, the authors have formulated and explored a novel Painlevé–Gullstrand variant of the Lense–Thirring spacetime, which has some particularly elegant features, including unit-lapse, intrinsically flat spatial 3-slices, and some particularly simple geodesics—the “rain” geodesics. At the linear level in the rotation parameter, this spacetime is indistinguishable from the usual slow-rotation expansion of Kerr. Herein, we shall show that this spacetime possesses a nontrivial Killing tensor, implying separability of the Hamilton–Jacobi equation. Furthermore, we shall show that the Klein–Gordon equation is also separable on this spacetime. However, while the Killing tensor has a 2-form square root, we shall see that this 2-form square root of the Killing tensor is not a Killing–Yano tensor. Finally, the Killing-tensor-induced Carter constant is easily extracted, and now, with a fourth constant of motion, the geodesics become (in principle) explicitly integrable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

11 pages, 278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamical Analysis and Cosmological Evolution in Weyl Integrable Gravity

by Andronikos Paliathanasis

Universe 2021, 7(12), 468; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7120468 - 30 Nov 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1793

Abstract

We investigate the cosmological evolution for the physical parameters in Weyl integrable gravity in a Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker universe with zero spatial curvature. For the matter component, we assume that it is an ideal gas, and of the Chaplygin gas, from the Weyl integrable gravity [...] Read more.

We investigate the cosmological evolution for the physical parameters in Weyl integrable gravity in a Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker universe with zero spatial curvature. For the matter component, we assume that it is an ideal gas, and of the Chaplygin gas, from the Weyl integrable gravity a scalar field is introduced by a geometric approach which provides an interaction with the matter component.We calculate the stationary points for the field equations and we study their stability properties. Furthermore, we solve the inverse problem for the case of an ideal gas and prove that the gravitational field equations can follow from the variation of a Lagrangian function. Finally, variational symmetries are applied for the construction of analytic and exact solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

20 pages, 400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relativistic Fractional-Dimension Gravity

by Gabriele U. Varieschi

Universe 2021, 7(10), 387; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7100387 - 18 Oct 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2043

Abstract

This paper presents a relativistic version of Newtonian Fractional-Dimension Gravity (NFDG), an alternative gravitational model recently introduced and based on the theory of fractional-dimension spaces. This extended version—Relativistic Fractional-Dimension Gravity (RFDG)—is based on other existing theories in the literature and might be useful [...] Read more.

This paper presents a relativistic version of Newtonian Fractional-Dimension Gravity (NFDG), an alternative gravitational model recently introduced and based on the theory of fractional-dimension spaces. This extended version—Relativistic Fractional-Dimension Gravity (RFDG)—is based on other existing theories in the literature and might be useful for astrophysical and cosmological applications. In particular, in this work, we review the mathematical theory for spaces with non-integer dimensions and its connections with the non-relativistic NFDG. The Euler–Lagrange equations for scalar fields can also be extended to spaces with fractional dimensions, by adding an appropriate weight factor, and then can be used to generalize the Laplacian operator for rectangular, spherical, and cylindrical coordinates. In addition, the same weight factor can be added to the standard Hilbert action in order to obtain the field equations, following methods used for scalar-tensor models of gravity, multi-scale spacetimes, and fractional gravity theories. We then apply the field equations to standard cosmology and to the Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker metric. Using a suitable weight

v_{t} (t)

, depending on the synchronous time t and on a single time-dimension parameter

α_{t}

, we extend the Friedmann equations to the RFDG case. This allows for the computation of the scale factor

a (t)

for different values of the fractional time-dimension

α_{t}

and the comparison with standard cosmology results. Future additional work on the subject, including studies of the cosmological late-time acceleration, type Ia supernovae data, and related dark energy theory will be needed to establish this model as a relativistic alternative theory of gravity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 463 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Scalar–Tensor–Vector Modified Gravity in Light of the Planck 2018 Data

by John W. Moffat and Viktor Toth

Universe 2021, 7(10), 358; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7100358 - 26 Sep 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 1522

Abstract

The recent data release by the Planck satellite collaboration presents a renewed challenge for modified theories of gravitation. Such theories must be capable of reproducing the observed angular power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background radiation. For modified theories of gravity, an added [...] Read more.

The recent data release by the Planck satellite collaboration presents a renewed challenge for modified theories of gravitation. Such theories must be capable of reproducing the observed angular power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background radiation. For modified theories of gravity, an added challenge lies in the fact that standard computational tools do not readily accommodate the features of a theory with a variable gravitational coupling coefficient. An alternative is to use less accurate but more easily modifiable semianalytical approximations to reproduce at least the qualitative features of the angular power spectrum. We extend a calculation that was used previously to demonstrate compatibility between the Scalar–Tensor–Vector–Gravity (STVG) theory, also known by the acronym MOG, and data from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) to show the consistency between the theory and the newly released Planck 2018 data. We find that within the limits of this approximation, the theory accurately reproduces the features of the angular power spectrum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 1807 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elongated Gravity Sources as an Analytical Limit for Flat Galaxy Rotation Curves

by Felipe J. Llanes-Estrada

Universe 2021, 7(9), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7090346 - 14 Sep 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1827

Abstract

The flattening of spiral-galaxy rotation curves is unnatural in view of the expectations from Kepler’s third law and a central mass. It is interesting, however, that the radius-independence velocity is what one expects in one less dimension. In our three-dimensional space, the rotation [...] Read more.

The flattening of spiral-galaxy rotation curves is unnatural in view of the expectations from Kepler’s third law and a central mass. It is interesting, however, that the radius-independence velocity is what one expects in one less dimension. In our three-dimensional space, the rotation curve is natural if, outside the galaxy’s center, the gravitational potential corresponds to that of a very prolate ellipsoid, filament, string, or otherwise cylindrical structure perpendicular to the galactic plane. While there is observational evidence (and numerical simulations) for filamentary structure at large scales, this has not been discussed at scales commensurable with galactic sizes. If, nevertheless, the hypothesis is tentatively adopted, the scaling exponent of the baryonic Tully–Fisher relation due to accretion of visible matter by the halo comes out to reasonably be 4. At a minimum, this analytical limit would suggest that simulations yielding prolate haloes would provide a better overall fit to small-scale galaxy data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 310 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

New Anisotropic Exact Solution in Multifield Cosmology

by Andronikos Paliathanasis

Universe 2021, 7(9), 323; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7090323 - 30 Aug 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1461

Abstract

In the case of two-scalar field cosmology, and specifically for the Chiral model, we determine an exact solution for the field equations with an anisotropic background space. The exact solution can describe anisotropic inflation with a Kantowski–Sachs geometry and can be seen as [...] Read more.

In the case of two-scalar field cosmology, and specifically for the Chiral model, we determine an exact solution for the field equations with an anisotropic background space. The exact solution can describe anisotropic inflation with a Kantowski–Sachs geometry and can be seen as the anisotropic analogue of the hyperbolic inflation. Finally, we investigate the stability conditions for the exact solution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 312 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metric-Affine Version of Myrzakulov F(R,T,Q,

T

) Gravity and Cosmological Applications

by Damianos Iosifidis, Nurgissa Myrzakulov and Ratbay Myrzakulov

Universe 2021, 7(8), 262; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7080262 - 23 Jul 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2341

Abstract

We derive the full set of field equations for the metric-affine version of the Myrzakulov gravity model and also extend this family of theories to a broader one. More specifically, we consider theories whose gravitational Lagrangian is given by [...] Read more.

We derive the full set of field equations for the metric-affine version of the Myrzakulov gravity model and also extend this family of theories to a broader one. More specifically, we consider theories whose gravitational Lagrangian is given by

F (R, T, Q, T, D)

where T, Q are the torsion and non-metricity scalars,

T

is the trace of the energy-momentum tensor and

D

the divergence of the dilation current. We then consider the linear case of the aforementioned theory and, assuming a cosmological setup, we obtain the modified Friedmann equations. In addition, focusing on the vanishing non-metricity sector and considering matter coupled to torsion, we obtain the complete set of equations describing the cosmological behavior of this model along with solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

12 pages, 452 KiB

Open AccessArticle

New Model of 4D Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet Gravity Coupled with Nonlinear Electrodynamics

by Sergey Il’ich Kruglov

Universe 2021, 7(7), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7070249 - 19 Jul 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2235

Abstract

New spherically symmetric solution in 4D Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity coupled with nonlinear electrodynamics is obtained. At infinity, this solution has the Reissner–Nordström behavior of the charged black hole. The black hole thermodynamics, entropy, shadow, energy emission rate, and quasinormal modes of black holes are [...] Read more.

New spherically symmetric solution in 4D Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity coupled with nonlinear electrodynamics is obtained. At infinity, this solution has the Reissner–Nordström behavior of the charged black hole. The black hole thermodynamics, entropy, shadow, energy emission rate, and quasinormal modes of black holes are investigated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

31 pages, 473 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Broken Scale Invariance, Gravity Mass, and Dark Energy inModified Einstein Gravity with Two Measure Finsler like Variables

by Panayiotis Stavrinos and Sergiu I. Vacaru

Universe 2021, 7(4), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7040089 - 3 Apr 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2330

Abstract

We study new classes of generic off-diagonal and diagonal cosmological solutions for effective Einstein equations in modified gravity theories (MGTs), with modified dispersion relations (MDRs), and encoding possible violations of (local) Lorentz invariance (LIVs). Such MGTs are constructed for actions and Lagrange densities [...] Read more.

We study new classes of generic off-diagonal and diagonal cosmological solutions for effective Einstein equations in modified gravity theories (MGTs), with modified dispersion relations (MDRs), and encoding possible violations of (local) Lorentz invariance (LIVs). Such MGTs are constructed for actions and Lagrange densities with two non-Riemannian volume forms (similar to two measure theories (TMTs)) and associated bimetric and/or biconnection geometric structures. For conventional nonholonomic 2 + 2 splitting, we can always describe such models in Finsler-like variables, which is important for elaborating geometric methods of constructing exact and parametric solutions. Examples of such Finsler two-measure formulations of general relativity (GR) and MGTs are considered for Lorentz manifolds and their (co) tangent bundles and abbreviated as FTMT. Generic off-diagonal metrics solving gravitational field equations in FTMTs are determined by generating functions, effective sources and integration constants, and characterized by nonholonomic frame torsion effects. By restricting the class of integration functions, we can extract torsionless and/or diagonal configurations and model emergent cosmological theories with square scalar curvature,

R^{2}

, when the global Weyl-scale symmetry is broken via nonlinear dynamical interactions with nonholonomic constraints. In the physical Einstein–Finsler frame, the constructions involve: (i) nonlinear re-parametrization symmetries of the generating functions and effective sources; (ii) effective potentials for the scalar field with possible two flat regions, which allows for a unified description of locally anisotropic and/or isotropic early universe inflation related to acceleration cosmology and dark energy; (iii) there are “emergent universes” described by off-diagonal and diagonal solutions for certain nonholonomic phases and parametric cosmological evolution resulting in various inflationary phases; (iv) we can reproduce massive gravity effects in two-measure theories. Finally, we study a reconstructing procedure for reproducing off-diagonal FTMT and massive gravity cosmological models as effective Einstein gravity or Einstein–Finsler theories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

17 pages, 1411 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Photon Spheres, ISCOs, and OSCOs: Astrophysical Observables for Regular Black Holes with Asymptotically Minkowski Cores

by Thomas Berry, Alex Simpson and Matt Visser

Universe 2021, 7(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe7010002 - 22 Dec 2020

Cited by 50 | Viewed by 2737

Abstract

Classical black holes contain a singularity at their core. This has prompted various researchers to propose a multitude of modified spacetimes that mimic the physically observable characteristics of classical black holes as best as possible, but that crucially do not contain singularities at [...] Read more.

Classical black holes contain a singularity at their core. This has prompted various researchers to propose a multitude of modified spacetimes that mimic the physically observable characteristics of classical black holes as best as possible, but that crucially do not contain singularities at their cores. Due to recent advances in near-horizon astronomy, the ability to observationally distinguish between a classical black hole and a potential black hole mimicker is becoming increasingly feasible. Herein, we calculate some physically observable quantities for a recently proposed regular black hole with an asymptotically Minkowski core—the radius of the photon sphere and the extremal stable timelike circular orbit (ESCO). The manner in which the photon sphere and ESCO relate to the presence (or absence) of horizons is much more complex than for the Schwarzschild black hole. We find situations in which photon spheres can approach arbitrarily close to (near extremal) horizons, situations in which some photon spheres become stable, and situations in which the locations of both photon spheres and ESCOs become multi-valued, with both ISCOs (innermost stable circular orbits) and OSCOs (outermost stable circular orbits). This provides an extremely rich phenomenology of potential astrophysical interest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 350 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Constructing Higher-Dimensional Exact Black Holes in Einstein-Maxwell-Scalar Theory

by Jianhui Qiu and Changjun Gao

Universe 2020, 6(9), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe6090148 - 9 Sep 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1700

Abstract

We construct higher-dimensional and exact black holes in Einstein-Maxwell-scalar theory. The strategy we adopted is to extend the known, static and spherically symmetric black holes in the Einstein-Maxwell dilaton gravity and Einstein-Maxwell-scalar theory. Then we investigate the black hole thermodynamics. Concretely, the generalized [...] Read more.

We construct higher-dimensional and exact black holes in Einstein-Maxwell-scalar theory. The strategy we adopted is to extend the known, static and spherically symmetric black holes in the Einstein-Maxwell dilaton gravity and Einstein-Maxwell-scalar theory. Then we investigate the black hole thermodynamics. Concretely, the generalized Smarr formula and the first law of thermodynamics are derived. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1192 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Spinning Test Particle in Four-Dimensional Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet Black Holes

by Yu-Peng Zhang, Shao-Wen Wei and Yu-Xiao Liu

Universe 2020, 6(8), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe6080103 - 28 Jul 2020

Cited by 109 | Viewed by 3935

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the motion of a classical spinning test particle in a background of a spherically symmetric black hole based on the novel four-dimensional Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity [D. Glavan and C. Lin, Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 081301 (2020)]. We find that [...] Read more.

In this paper, we investigate the motion of a classical spinning test particle in a background of a spherically symmetric black hole based on the novel four-dimensional Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity [D. Glavan and C. Lin, Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 081301 (2020)]. We find that the effective potential of a spinning test particle in this background could have two minima when the Gauss–Bonnet coupling parameter

α

is nearly in a special range

- 8 < α / M^{2} < - 2

(M is the mass of the black hole), which means a particle can be in two separate orbits with the same spin-angular momentum and orbital angular momentum, and the accretion disc could have discrete structures. We also investigate the innermost stable circular orbits of the spinning test particle and find that the corresponding radius could be smaller than the cases in general relativity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Modified Theories of Gravity and Cosmological Applications

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (21 papers)

Editorial

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI