Hybrid metric-Palatini Theory Research Articles

Weak-field regime of the generalized hybrid metric-Palatini gravity

In this work we explore the dynamics of the generalized hybrid metric-Palatini theory of gravity in the weak-field, slow-motion regime. We start by introducing the equivalent scalar-tensor representation of the theory, which contains two scalar degrees of freedom, and perform a conformal transformation to the Einstein frame. Linear perturbations of the metric in a Minkowskian background are then studied for the metric and both scalar fields. The effective Newton constant and the PPN parameter $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ of the theory are extracted after transforming back to the (original) Jordan frame. Two particular cases where the general method ceases to be applicable are approached separately. A comparison of these results with observational constraints is then used to impose bounds on the masses and coupling constants of the scalar fields.

Spherically Symmetric Space-Times in Generalized Hybrid Metric-Palatini Gravity

We discuss vacuum static, spherically symmetric asymptotically flat solutions of the generalized hybrid metric-Palatini theory of gravity (generalized HMPG) suggested by B\"ohmer and Tamanini, involving both a metric $g_{\mu\nu}$ and an independent connection $\hat \Gamma_{\mu\nu}{}^\alpha$; the gravitational field Lagrangian is an arbitrary function $f(R,P)$ of two Ricci scalars, $R$ obtained from $g_{\mu\nu}$ and $P$ obtained from $\hat \Gamma_{\mu\nu}{}^\alpha$. The theory admits a scalar-tensor representation with two scalars $\phi$ and $\xi$ and a potential $V(\phi,\xi)$ whose form depends on $f(R,P)$. Solutions are obtained in the Einstein frame and transferred back to the original Jordan frame for a proper interpretation. In the completely studied case $V \equiv 0$, generic solutions contain naked singularities or describe traversable wormholes, and only some special cases represent black holes with extremal horizons. For $V(\phi,\xi) \ne 0$, some examples of analytical solutions are obtained and shown to possess naked singularities. Even in the cases where the Einstein-frame metric $g^E_{\mu\nu}$ is found analytically, the scalar field equations need a numerical study, and if $g^E_{\mu\nu}$ contains a horizon, in the Jordan frame it turns to a singularity due to the corresponding conformal factor.

New cosmological solutions in hybrid metric-Palatini gravity from dynamical symmetries

We investigate the existence of Liouville integrable cosmological models in hybrid metric-Palatini theory. Specifically, we use the symmetry conditions for the existence of quadratic in the momentum conservation laws for the field equations as constraint conditions for the determination of the unknown functional form of the theory. The exact and analytic solutions of the integrable systems found in this study are presented in terms of quadratics and Laurent expansions.

Beyond Einstein’s General Relativity: Hybrid metric-Palatini gravity and curvature-matter couplings

Einstein’s General Relativity (GR) is possibly one of the greatest intellectual achievements ever conceived by the human mind. In fact, over the last century, GR has proven to be an extremely successful theory, with a well established experimental footing, at least for weak gravitational fields. Its predictions range from the existence of black holes and gravitational radiation (now confirmed) to the cosmological models. Indeed, a central theme in modern Cosmology is the perplexing fact that the Universe is undergoing an accelerating expansion, which represents a new imbalance in the governing gravitational equations. The cause of the late-time cosmic acceleration remains an open and tantalizing question, and has forced theorists and experimentalists to question whether GR is the correct relativistic theory of gravitation. This has spurred much research in modified theories of gravity, where extensions of the Hilbert–Einstein action describe the gravitational field, in particular, [Formula: see text] gravity, where [Formula: see text] is the curvature scalar. In this review, we perform a detailed theoretical and phenomenological analysis of specific modified theories of gravity and investigate their astrophysical and cosmological applications. We present essentially two largely explored extensions of [Formula: see text] gravity, namely: (i) the hybrid metric-Palatini theory; (ii) and modified gravity with curvature-matter couplings. Relative to the former, it has been established that both metric and Palatini versions of [Formula: see text] gravity possess interesting features but also manifest severe drawbacks. A hybrid combination, containing elements from both of these formalisms, turns out to be very successful in accounting for the observed phenomenology and avoids some drawbacks of the original approaches. Relative to the curvature-matter coupling theories, these offer interesting extensions of [Formula: see text] gravity, where the explicit nonminimal couplings between an arbitrary function of the scalar curvature [Formula: see text] and the Lagrangian density of matter, induces a nonvanishing covariant derivative of the energy-momentum tensor, which implies nongeodesic motion and consequently leads to the appearance of an extra force. We extensively explore both theories in a plethora of applications, namely, the weak-field limit, galactic and extragalactic dynamics, cosmology, stellar-type compact objects, irreversible matter creation processes and the quantum cosmology of a specific curvature-matter coupling theory.

Hybrid Metric-Palatini Gravity: Black Holes, Wormholes, Singularities, and Instabilities

The hybrid metric-Palatini theory of gravity (HMPG), proposed in 2012 by T. Harko et al., is known to successfully describe both local (solar-system) and cosmological observations. We discuss static, spherically symmetric vacuum solutions of HMPG with the aid of its scalar-tensor representation. This scalar-tensor theory coincides with general relativity with a conformally coupled scalar field (which can be canonical or phantom), therefore the known solutions of this theory are re-interpreted in terms of HMPG. In particular, in the case of zero scalar field potential $V (\phi)$, such that both Riemannian and Palatini Ricci scalars are zero, generic asymptotically flat solutions either contain naked singularities or describe traversable wormholes, and there are only special cases of black hole solutions with extremal horizons. There is also a one-parameter family of solutions with an infinite number of extremal horizons between static regions. Examples of analytical solutions with nonzero potentials $V (\phi)$ are also described, among them black hole solutions with simple horizons which are generic but, for canonical scalars, they require (at least partly) negative potentials. With phantom scalars there are ``black universe'' solutions that lead beyond the horizon to an expanding universe instead of a singularity. Most of the solutions under consideration turn out to be unstable under scalar monopole perturbations, but some special black hole solutions are stable.

Unified Description of Dark Energy and Dark Matter within the Generalized Hybrid Metric-Palatini Theory of Gravity

The generalized hybrid metric-Palatini theory of gravity admits a scalar-tensor representation in terms of two interacting scalar fields. We show that, upon an appropriate choice of the interaction potential, one of the scalar fields behaves like dark energy, inducing a late-time accelerated expansion of the universe, while the other scalar field behaves like pressureless dark matter that, together with ordinary baryonic matter, dominates the intermediate phases of cosmic evolution. This unified description of dark energy and dark matter gives rise to viable cosmological solutions, which reproduce the main features of the evolution of the universe.

Spherically Symmetric Black Holes and Wormholes in Hybrid Metric-Palatini Gravity

The so-called hybrid metric-Palatini theory of gravity (HMPG), proposed in 2012 by T. Harko et al., is known to successfully describe both local (solar-system) and cosmological observations. This paper gives a complete description of static, spherically vacuum solutions of HMPG in the simplest case where its scalar-tensor representation has a zero scalar field potential $V(\phi)$, and both Riemannian ($R$) and Palatini ($\cal R$) Ricci scalars are zero. Such a scalar-tensor theory coincides with general relativity with a phantom conformally coupled scalar field as a source of gravity. Generic asymptotically flat solutions either contain naked central singularities or describe traversable wormholes, and there is a special two-parameter family of globally regular black hole solutions with extremal horizons. In addition, there is a one-parameter family of solutions with an infinite number of extremal horizons between static regions and a spherical radius monotonically changing from region to region. It is argued that the obtained black hole and wormhole solutions are unstable under monopole perturbations. As a by-product, it is shown that a scalar-tensor theory with $V(\phi)=0$, in which there is at least one nontrivial ($\phi \ne \rm const$) vacuum solution with $R\equiv 0$, necessarily reduces to a theory with a conformal scalar field (the latter may be usual or phantom).

Spherically symmetric static vacuum solutions in hybrid metric-Palatini gravity

We consider vacuum static spherically symmetric solutions in the hybrid metric-Palatini gravity theory, which is a combination of the metric and Palatini $f(R)$ formalisms unifying local constraints at the Solar System level and the late-time cosmic acceleration. We adopt the scalar-tensor representation of the hybrid metric-Palatini theory, in which the scalar-tensor definition of the potential can be represented as a Clairaut differential equation. Due to their mathematical complexity, it is difficult to find exact solutions of the vacuum field equations, and therefore we adopt a numerical approach in studying the behavior of the metric functions and of the scalar field. After reformulating the field equations in a dimensionless form, and by introducing a suitable independent radial coordinate, the field equations are solved numerically. We detect the formation of a black hole from the presence of a singularity in the metric tensor components. Several models, corresponding to different functional forms of the scalar field potential are considered. The thermodynamic properties of these black hole solutions (horizon temperature, specific heat, entropy and evaporation time due to Hawking luminosity) are also investigated in detail.

Gravitational wave solutions in hybrid metric-Palatini theory

In this paper, we formulate the gravitational wave equations in the hybrid metric-Palatini gravity and solve these equations to find the polarization states. This newly proposed theory is very successful in explaining the observed phenomenology based on the hybrid combination of Einstein Hilbert action and Palatini formalism of $f(R)$ gravity. We compare the obtained results of gravitational polarized modes with the existing results in the original approaches of the hybrid combination. The difference in the results is due to the coupling of the Ricci scalar with the trace of the energy momentum tensor.

Cosmological solutions in generalized hybrid metric-Palatini gravity

We construct exact solutions representing a Friedmann-Lema\^itre-Robsertson-Walker (FLRW) universe in a generalized hybrid metric-Palatini theory. By writing the gravitational action in a scalar-tensor representation, the new solutions are obtained by either making an ansatz on the scale factor or on the effective potential. Among other relevant results, we show that it is possible to obtain exponentially expanding solutions for flat universes even when the cosmology is not purely vacuum. We then derive the classes of actions for the original theory which generate these solutions.

Hybrid metric-Palatini stars

We consider the internal structure and the physical properties of specific classes of neutron, quark and Bose-Einstein condensate stars in the recently proposed hybrid metric-Palatini gravity theory, which is a combination of the metric and Palatini $f(R)$ formalisms. It turns out that the theory is very successful in accounting for the observed phenomenology, since it unifies local constraints at the Solar System level and the late-time cosmic acceleration, even if the scalar field is very light. In this paper, we derive the equilibrium equations for a spherically symmetric configuration (mass continuity and Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff) in the framework of the scalar-tensor representation of the hybrid metric-Palatini theory, and we investigate their solutions numerically for different equations of state of neutron and quark matter, by adopting for the scalar field potential a Higgs-type form. It turns out that the scalar-tensor definition of the potential can be represented as an Clairaut differential equation, and provides an explicit form for $f(\mathcal{R})$ given by $f(\mathcal{R})\ensuremath{\sim}\mathcal{R}+{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}_{\mathrm{eff}}$, where ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ is an effective cosmological constant. Furthermore, stellar models, described by the stiff fluid, radiation-like, bag model and the Bose-Einstein condensate equations of state are explicitly constructed in both general relativity and hybrid metric-Palatini gravity, thus allowing an in-depth comparison between the predictions of these two gravitational theories. As a general result it turns out that for all the considered equations of state, hybrid gravity stars are more massive than their general relativistic counterparts. Furthermore, two classes of stellar models corresponding to two particular choices of the functional form of the scalar field (constant value, and logarithmic form, respectively) are also investigated. Interestingly enough, in the case of a constant scalar field the equation of state of the matter takes the form of the bag model equation of state describing quark matter. As a possible astrophysical application of the obtained results, we suggest that stellar mass black holes, with masses in the range of 3.8 and $6\text{ }\text{ }{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}}$, respectively, could be in fact hybrid metric-Palatini gravity neutron or quark stars.

CONSTRAINTS ON HYBRID METRIC-PALATINI GRAVITY FROM BACKGROUND EVOLUTION

ABSTRACT In this work, we introduce two models of the hybrid metric-Palatini theory of gravitation. We explore their background evolution, showing explicitly that one recovers standard General Relativity with an effective cosmological constant at late times. This happens because the Palatini Ricci scalar evolves toward and asymptotically settles at the minimum of its effective potential during cosmological evolution. We then use a combination of cosmic microwave background, supernovae, and baryonic accoustic oscillations background data to constrain the models’ free parameters. For both models, we are able to constrain the maximum deviation from the gravitational constant G one can have at early times to be around 1%.

Dynamics of linear perturbations in the hybrid metric-Palatini gravity

In this work we focus on the evolution of the linear perturbations in the novel hybrid metric-Palatini theory achieved by adding a $f(\mathcal{R})$ function to the gravitational action. Working in the Jordan frame, we derive the full set of linearized evolution equations for the perturbed potentials and present them in the Newtonian and synchronous gauges. We also derive the Poisson equation, and perform the evolution of the lensing potential, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}}_{+}$, for a model with a background evolution indistinguishable from $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}\mathrm{CDM}$. In order to do so, we introduce a designer approach that allows one to retrieve a family of functions $f(\mathcal{R})$ for which the effective equation of state is exactly ${w}_{\text{eff}}=\ensuremath{-}1$. We conclude, for this particular model, that the main deviations from standard general relativity and the cosmological constant model arise in the distant past, with an oscillatory signature in the ratio between the Newtonian potentials, $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}$ and $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Psi}}$.

Time machines and traversable wormholes in modified theories of gravity

We review recent work on wormhole geometries in the context of modified theories of gravity, in particular, in f(R) gravity and with a nonminimal curvature-matter coupling, and in the recently proposed hybrid metric-Palatini theory. In principle, the normal matter threading the throat can be shown to satisfy the energy conditions and it is the higher order curvatures terms that sustain these wormhole geometries. We also briefly review the conversion of wormholes into time-machines, explore several of the time travel paradoxes and possible remedies to these intriguing side-effects in wormhole physics.