A Possible Explanation of Dark Matter and Dark Energy Involving a Vector Torsion Field

Abstract

A simple gravitational model with torsion is studied, and it is suggested that it could explain the dark matter and dark energy in the universe. It can be reinterpreted as a model using the Einstein gravitational equations where spacetime has regions filled with a perfect fluid with negative energy (pressure) and positive mass density, other regions containing an anisotropic substance that in the rest frame (where the momentum is zero) has negative mass density and a uniaxial stress tensor, and possibly other “luminal” regions where there is no rest frame. The torsion vector field is inhomogeneous throughout spacetime, and possibly turbulent. Numerical simulations should reveal whether or not the equations are consistent with cosmological observations of dark matter and dark energy.