Scalar–tensor–vector gravity

Scalar–tensor–vector gravity (STVG)^[1] is a modified theory of gravity developed by John Moffat, a researcher at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ontario. The theory is also often referred to by the acronym MOG (MOdified Gravity).

Overview

Scalar–tensor–vector gravity theory,^[2] also known as MOdified Gravity (MOG), is based on an action principle and postulates the existence of a vector field, while elevating the three constants of the theory to scalar fields. In the weak-field approximation, STVG produces a Yukawa-like modification of the gravitational force due to a point source. Intuitively, this result can be described as follows: far from a source gravity is stronger than the Newtonian prediction, but at shorter distances, it is counteracted by a repulsive fifth force due to the vector field.

STVG has been used successfully to explain galaxy rotation curves,^[3] the mass profiles of galaxy clusters,^[4] gravitational lensing in the Bullet Cluster,^[5] and cosmological observations^[6] without the need for dark matter. On a smaller scale, in the Solar System, STVG predicts no observable deviation from general relativity.^[7] The theory may also offer an explanation for the origin of inertia.^[8]

Mathematical details

STVG is formulated using the action principle. In the following discussion, a metric signature of $[+,-,-,-]$ will be used; the speed of light is set to $c=1$, and we are using the following definition for the Ricci tensor: $R_{\mu\nu}=\partial_\alpha\Gamma^\alpha_{\mu\nu}-\partial_\nu\Gamma^\alpha_{\mu\alpha}+\Gamma^\alpha_{\mu\nu}\Gamma^\beta_{\alpha\beta}-\Gamma^\alpha_{\mu\beta}\Gamma^\beta_{\alpha\nu}.$

We begin with the Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian:

${\mathcal L}_G=-\frac{1}{16\pi G}\left(R+2\Lambda\right)\sqrt{-g},$

where $R$ is the trace of the Ricci tensor, $G$ is the gravitational constant, $g$ is the determinant of the metric tensor $g_{\mu\nu}$, while $\Lambda$ is the cosmological constant.

We introduce the Maxwell-Proca Lagrangian for the STVG vector field $\phi_\mu$:

${\mathcal L}_\phi=-\frac{1}{4\pi}\omega\left[\frac{1}{4}B^{\mu\nu}B_{\mu\nu}-\frac{1}{2}\mu^2\phi_\mu\phi^\mu+V_\phi(\phi)\right]\sqrt{-g},$

where $B_{\mu\nu}=\partial_\mu\phi_\nu-\partial_\nu\phi_\mu$, $\mu$ is the mass of the vector field, $\omega$ characterizes the strength of the coupling between the fifth force and matter, and $V_\phi$ is a self-interaction potential.

The three constants of the theory, $G$, $\mu$ and $\omega$, are promoted to scalar fields by introducing associated kinetic and potential terms in the Lagrangian density:

${\mathcal L}_S=-\frac{1}{G}\left[\frac{1}{2}g^{\mu\nu}\left(\frac{\nabla_\mu G\nabla_\nu G}{G^2}+\frac{\nabla_\mu\mu\nabla_\nu\mu}{\mu^2}-\nabla_\mu\omega\nabla_\nu\omega\right)+\frac{V_G(G)}{G^2}+\frac{V_\mu(\mu)}{\mu^2}+V_\omega(\omega)\right]\sqrt{-g},$

where $\nabla_\mu$ denotes covariant differentiation with respect to the metric $g_{\mu\nu}$, while $V_G$, $V_\mu$, and $V_\omega$ are the self-interaction potentials associated with the scalar fields.

The STVG action integral takes the form

$S=\int{({\mathcal L}_G+{\mathcal L}_\phi+{\mathcal L}_S+{\mathcal L}_M)}~d^4x,$

where ${\mathcal L}_M$ is the ordinary matter Lagrangian density.

Spherically symmetric, static vacuum solution

The field equations of STVG can be developed from the action integral using the variational principle. First a test particle Lagrangian is postulated in the form

${\mathcal L}_\mathrm{TP}=-m+\alpha\omega q_5\phi_\mu u^\mu,$

where $m$ is the test particle mass, $\alpha$ is a factor representing the nonlinearity of the theory, $q_5$ is the test particle's fifth-force charge, and $u^\mu=dx^\mu/ds$ is its four-velocity. Assuming that the fifth-force charge is proportional to mass, i.e., $q_5=\kappa m$, the value of $\kappa=\sqrt{G_N/\omega}$ is determined and the following equation of motion is obtained in the spherically symmetric, static gravitational field of a point mass of mass $M$:

$\ddot{r}=-\frac{G_NM}{r^2}\left[1+\alpha-\alpha(1+\mu r)e^{-\mu r}\right],$

where $G_N$ is Newton's constant of gravitation. Further study of the field equations allows a determination of $\alpha$ and $\mu$ for a point gravitational source of mass $M$ in the form^[9]

$\mu=\frac{D}{\sqrt{M}},$

$\alpha=\frac{G_\infty-G_N}{G_N}\frac{M}{(\sqrt{M}+E)^2},$

where $G_\infty\simeq 20G_N$ is determined from cosmological observations, while for the constants $D$ and $E$ galaxy rotation curves yield the following values:

$D\simeq 6250 M_\odot^{1/2}\mathrm{kpc}^{-1},$

$E\simeq 25000 M_\odot^{1/2},$

where $M_\odot$ is the mass of the Sun. These results form the basis of a series of calculations that are used to confront the theory with observation.

Observations

STVG/MOG has been applied successfully to a range of astronomical, astrophysical, and cosmological phenomena.

On the scale of the Solar System, the theory predicts no deviation^[7] from the results of Newton and Einstein. This is also true for star clusters containing no more than a maximum of a few million solar masses.

The theory accounts for the rotation curves of spiral galaxies,^[3] correctly reproducing the Tully-Fisher law.^[9]

STVG is in good agreement with the mass profiles of galaxy clusters.^[4]

STVG can also account for key cosmological observations, including:^[6]

• The acoustic peaks in the cosmic microwave background radiation;
• The accelerating expansion of the universe that is apparent from type Ia supernova observations;
• The matter power spectrum of the universe that is observed in the form of galaxy-galaxy correlations.

See also

• Modified Newtonian Dynamics
• Tensor–vector–scalar gravity
• Nonsymmetric Gravitational Theory

References

1. McKee, M. (25 January 2006). "Gravity theory dispenses with dark matter". New Scientist. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
2. Moffat, J. W. (2006). "Scalar-Tensor-Vector Gravity Theory". Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics 3: 4. arXiv:gr-qc/0506021. Bibcode:2006JCAP...03..004M. doi:10.1088/1475-7516/2006/03/004.
3. Brownstein, J. R.; Moffat, J. W. (2006). "Galaxy Rotation Curves Without Non-Baryonic Dark Matter". Astrophysical Journal 636: 721–741. arXiv:astro-ph/0506370. Bibcode:2006ApJ...636..721B. doi:10.1086/498208.
4. Brownstein, J. R.; Moffat, J. W. (2006). "Galaxy Cluster Masses Without Non-Baryonic Dark Matter". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 367: 527–540. arXiv:astro-ph/0507222. Bibcode:2006MNRAS.367..527B. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2006.09996.x.
5. Brownstein, J. R.; Moffat, J. W. (2007). "The Bullet Cluster 1E0657-558 evidence shows Modified Gravity in the absence of Dark Matter". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 382: 29–47. arXiv:astro-ph/0702146. Bibcode:2007MNRAS.382...29B. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2007.12275.x.
6. Moffat, J. W.; Toth, V. T. (2007). "Modified Gravity: Cosmology without dark matter or Einstein's cosmological constant". arXiv:0710.0364 [astro-ph].
7. Moffat, J. W.; Toth, V. T. (2008). "Testing modified gravity with globular cluster velocity dispersions". Astrophysical Journal 680: 1158–1161. arXiv:0708.1935. Bibcode:2008ApJ...680.1158M. doi:10.1086/587926.
8. Moffat, J. W.; Toth, V. T. (2009). "Modified gravity and the origin of inertia". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Letters 395: L25. arXiv:0710.3415. Bibcode:2009MNRAS.395L..25M. doi:10.1111/j.1745-3933.2009.00633.x.
9. Moffat, J. W.; Toth, V. T. (2009). "Fundamental parameter-free solutions in Modified Gravity". Classical and Quantum Gravity 26: 085002. arXiv:0712.1796. Bibcode:2009CQGra..26h5002M. doi:10.1088/0264-9381/26/8/085002.