Can Horndeski theory be recast using teleparallel gravity?

Abstract

Horndeski gravity is the most general scalar tensor theory, with a single scalar field, leading to second order field equations and after the GW170817 it has been severely constrained. In this paper, we study the analogue of Horndeski's theory in the teleparallel gravity framework were gravity is mediated through torsion instead of curvature. We show that, even though, many terms are the same as in the curvature case, we have much richer phenomenology in the teleparallel setting because of the nature of the torsion tensor. Moreover, Teleparallel Horndenski contains the standard Horndenski gravity as a subcase and also contains many modified Teleparallel theories considered in the past, such as $f(T)$ gravity or Teleparallel Dark energy. Thus, due to the appearing of a new term in the Lagrangian, this theory can explain dark energy without a cosmological constant, may describe a crossing of the phantom barrier, explain inflation and also solve the tension for $H_0$, making it a good candidate for a correct modified theory of gravity.