Constraints on the scalar-tensor theories of gravitation from primordial nucleosynthesis.

Abstract

We present a detailed calculation of the light element production in the framework of Scalar-Tensor (ST) theories of gravitation. The coupling function \omega has been described by an appropriate form which reproduces all the possible asymptotic behaviors at early times of viable ST cosmological models with a monotonic \omega(\Phi). This form gives an exact representation for most of the particular theories proposed in the literature, but also a first-order approximation to many other theories. In most of ST theories, the nucleosynthesis bounds lead to cosmological models which do not significantly differ from the standard FRW ones. We have found however a particular class of ST theories where the expansion rate of the universe during nucleosynthesis can be very different from that found in GR, while the present value of \omega is high enough to ensure compatibility with solar-system experiments. In the framework of this class of theories, right primordial abundances can be obtained for a baryon density range much wider (2.8 \lesssim \eta_{10} \lesssim 58.7) than in GR. Consequently, the usual constraint on the baryon contribution to the density parameter of the universe can be drastically relaxed (0.01 \lesssim \Omega_{b0} \lesssim 1.38) by considering these gravity theories. This is the first time that a ST theory is found to be compatible both with primordial nucleosynthesis and solar-system experiments while implying cosmological models significantly different from the FRW ones.