Propagation of polar gravitational waves in f(R, T) scenario

Abstract

This paper investigates the propagation of polar gravitational waves in the spatially flat FRW universe consisting of a perfect fluid in the scenario of $R+2\lambda T$ model of $f(R,T)$ gravity ($\lambda$ being the model parameter). The spatially flat universe model is perturbed via Regge-Wheeler perturbations inducing polar gravitational waves and the field equations are formulated for both unperturbed as well as perturbed spacetimes. We solve these field equations simultaneously for the perturbation parameters introduced in the metric, matter, and velocity in the radiation, as well as dark energy, dominated phases. It is found that the polar gravitational waves can produce changes in the background matter distribution as well as velocity components in the radiation era similar to general relativity case. Moreover, we have discussed the impact of model parameter on the amplitude of gravitational waves.