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Title: Screening the fifth force in the Horndeski's most general scalar-tensor theories

Journal Article · · Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
;  [1]
  1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of Science, 1-3, Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8601 (Japan)

We study how the Vainshtein mechanism operates in the most general scalar-tensor theories with second-order equations of motion. The field equations of motion, which can be also applicable to most of other screening scenarios proposed in literature, are generally derived in a spherically symmetric space-time with a matter source. In the presence of a field coupling to the Ricci scalar, we clarify conditions under which the Vainshtein mechanism is at work in a weak gravitational background. We also obtain the solutions of the field equation inside a spherically symmetric body and show how they can be connected to exterior solutions that accommodate the Vainshtein mechanism. We apply our general results to a number of concrete models such as the covariant/extended Galileons and the DBI Galileons with Gauss-Bonnet and other terms. In these models the fifth force can be suppressed to be compatible with solar-system constraints, provided that non-linear field kinetic terms coupled to the Einstein tensor do not dominate over other non-linear field self-interactions.

OSTI ID:
22282746
Journal Information:
Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, Vol. 2013, Issue 08; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1475-7516
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English