Accelerated expansion from a non-minimal gravitational coupling to matter

It is shown that a non-minimal coupling between the scalar curvature and the matter Lagrangian density may account for the accelerated expansion of the Universe and provide, through mimicking, for a viable unification of dark energy and dark matter. An analytical exploration is first performed, and a numerical study is then used to validate the obtained results. The encountered scenario allows for a better grasp of the proposed mechanism, and sets up the discussion for improvements that can lead to a complete agreement with the observational data.Comment: Latex file, 10 pages, 6 figure

Inflation with a massive vector field nonminimally coupled to gravity

We study the possibility that inflation is driven by a massive vector field with SO(3) global symmetry nonminimally coupled to gravity. From an E^3-invariant Robertson-Walker metric we propose an Ansatz for the vector field, allowing us to study the evolution of the system. We study the behaviour of the equations of motion using the methods of the theory of dynamical systems and find exponential inflationary regimes.Comment: 7 pages, 3 Figure

Using global positioning systems to test extensions of General Relativity

We consider the feasibility of using the Galileo Navigation Satellite System to constrain possible extensions or modifications to General Relativity, by assessing the impact of the related additions to the Newtonian potential and comparing with the available observables: the relative frequency shift and the time delay of light propagation. We address the impact of deviations from General Relativity based on the parameterized Post-Newtonian parameters due to the presence of a Cosmological Constant, of a constant acceleration like the putative Pioneer anomaly, a Yukawa potential term due to massive scalar fields and a power-law potential term, which can arise from Ungravity or f(R) theories.Comment: 29 pages, 3 figure

Gravitational collapse in non-minimally coupled gravity: finite density singularities and the breaking of the no-hair theorem

In this work we study the dynamics of gravitational collapse of a homogeneous dust sphere in a model exhibiting a linear non-minimal coupling between matter and curvature. The evolution of the scale factor and the matter density is obtained for different choices of Lagrangean density of matter, highlighting the direct physical relevance of the latter in this theory. Following a discussion of the junction conditions and boundary terms in the action functional, the matching with the outer metric and event horizon is analyzed. We find that a distinct phenomenology arises when compared with standard results for the Oppenheimer-Snyder collapse, namely the possibility of finite density black holes and the breaking of the no-hair theorem, due to a dependence of the end state of a black hole on the initial radius of the spherical body.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures; published versio

Solar system tests of scalar field models with an exponential potential

We consider a scenario where a scalar field has dynamics ruled by an exponential potential, such as those arising from some quintessence type models, and aim at obtaining phenomenological manifestations of this entity within our Solar System. To do so, we assume a perturbative regime, derive the perturbed Schwarzschild metric, and extract the relevant post-Newtonian parameters.Comment: 5 page