Constraining Newtonian stellar configurations in f(R) theories of gravity

Abstract

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 solve the resulting set of equations and show that $f(R)$ theories which attempt to solve the dark energy problem very generally lead to ${\gamma }_{PPN}=1/2$ in the solar system. This excludes a large class of theories as possible explanations of dark energy. We also present the first order correction to ${\gamma }_{PPN}$ and show that it cannot have a significant effect.

4 pages; v2: added references, modified abstract and introduction, conclusions unchanged

References in corpus (4)

• Limit to General Relativity in f(R) theories of gravity
• Stability of Cosmological Solution in f(R) Models of Gravity
• Newton law corrections and instabilities in $f(R)$ gravity with the effective cosmological constant epoch
• Spherically symmetric spacetimes in f(R) gravity theories

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• Initial and final de Sitter universes from modified $f(R)$ gravity
• Can higher curvature corrections cure the singularity problem in f(R) gravity?
• Delicate f(R) gravity models with disappearing cosmological constant and observational constraints on the model parameters
• Revisiting chameleon gravity - thin-shells and no-shells with appropriate boundary conditions