Related papers: f(R) gravity: successes and challenges
We consider general metric $f(R)$ theories of gravity by solving the field equations in the presence of a spherical static mass distribution by analytical perturbative means. Expanding the field equations systematically in $\cO(G)$, we…
The search for a consistent and empirically established quantum theory of gravity is among the biggest open problems of fundamental physics. The obstacles are of formal and of conceptual nature. Here, I address the main conceptual problems,…
Modified gravity theories with the Gauss-Bonnet term $G=R^2-4R^{\mu\nu}R_{\mu\nu}+R^{\mu\nu\rho\sigma}R_{\mu\nu\rho\sigma}$ have recently gained a lot of attention as a possible explanation of dark energy. We perform a thorough phase space…
When recent observational evidence and the GR+FRW+CDM model are combined we obtain the result that the Universe is accelerating, where the acceleration is due to some not-yet-understood "dark sector". There has been a considerable number of…
This paper is a reply to the criticism of our work on particle production in modified gravity by D. Gorbunov and A. Tokareva. We show that their arguments against efficient particle production are invalid. $F(R)$ theories can lead to an…
A gravity theory is developed with the metric ${\hat g}_{\mu\nu}= {g}_{\mu\nu}+B\partial_\mu\phi\partial_\nu\phi$. In the present universe the additional contribution from the scalar field in the metric ${\hat g}_{\mu\nu}$ can generate an…
While the idea of gravity as an emergent phenomenon is an intriguing one, little is known about concrete implementations that could lead to viable phenomenology, most of the obstructions being related to the intrinsic difficulties of…
Based on several recent developments in relativistic astrophysics and observational cosmology, this article discusses prospects of (1) theoretical structure of General Relativity (GR) in the new era and (2) submission of GR to new and…
Although $f(R)$ modification of late time cosmology is successful in explaining present cosmic acceleration, it is difficult to satisfy the fifth-force constraint simultaneously. Even when the fifth-force constraint is satisfied, the…
Under conformal transformation, f(R) theory of gravity in Palatini formalism leads to a Brans-Dicke type of scalar-tensor equivalent theory with a wrong sign in the effective kinetic energy term. This means, the effective scalar acts as the…
Currently, in order to explain the accelerated expansion phase of the universe, several alternative approaches have been proposed, among which the most common are dark energy models and alternative theories of gravity. Although these…
Metric $f(R)$ gravity theories behave like GR with cosmological constant when $f"(R)$ = 0, and like scalar-tensor theories elsewhere. I investigate the transition from $f"(R) \neq 0$ to $f"(R) = 0$, and show that this theory may offer a way…
We study the strong gravity regime in viable models of so-called f(R) gravity that account for the observed cosmic acceleration. In contrast with recent works suggesting that very relativistic stars might not exist in these models, we find…
We show that there is a fundamental flaw in the application of modified gravity theories in cosmology, taking $f(R)$ gravity as a paradigmatic example. This theory contains a scalar degree of freedom that couples to the matter stress-energy…
We discuss two aspects of f(R) theories of gravity in metric formalism. We first study the reasons to introduce a scalar-tensor representation for these theories and the behavior of this representation in the limit to General Relativity,…
General Relativity (GR) revolutionized the way we thought about gravity. After briefly describing the key successes of GR and its impact, I will discuss the major conceptual challenges it faces today. I conclude by outlining the prospective…
The physical process leading to the acceleration of the expansion of the universe is unknown. It may involve new high energy physics or extensions to gravitation. Calling this generically dark energy, we examine the consistencies and…
I shall discuss some "conditions of possibility" of a quantum theory of gravity, stressing the need for solutions to some of fundamental problems confronting any attempt to apply some method of quantization to the field equations of general…
f(R) gravity is one of the simplest generalizations of general relativity, which may explain the accelerated cosmic expansion without introducing a cosmological constant. Transformed into the Einstein frame, a new scalar degree of freedom…
I briefly discuss the challenges presented by attempting to modify general relativity to obtain an explanation for the observed accelerated expansion of the universe. Foremost among these are the questions of theoretical consistency - the…