Detecting Chameleon Dark Energy via Electrostatic Analogy

Abstract

The late-time accelerated expansion of the universe could be caused by a scalar field that is screened on small scales, as in chameleon or symmetron scenarios. We present an analogy between thin shell configurations of such scalar fields and electrostatics, which allows calculation of the field profile for general extended bodies. Interestingly, the field demonstrates a `lightning rod' effect, where it becomes enhanced near the ends of a pointy or elongated object. Drawing from this correspondence, we show that non-spherical test bodies immersed in a background field will experience a net torque caused by the scalar field. This effect, with no counterpart in the gravitational case, can be potentially tested in future experiments.

journal accepted version

References in corpus (8)

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• Dynamics of dark energy
• Tests of the Gravitational Inverse-Square Law below the Dark-Energy Length Scale
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• The influence of the chameleon field potential on transition frequencies of gravitationally bound quantum states of ultra-cold neutrons
• The Shape Dependence of Vainshtein Screening
• Ellipticity Weakens Chameleon Screening
• Particle level screening of scalar forces in 1+1 dimensions
• Obtaining a scalar fifth force via a broken-symmetry couple between the scalar field and matter
• An Electrostatic Analogy for Symmetron Gravity
• Could trapped quintessence account for the laser-detuning-dependent acceleration of cold atoms in varying-frequency time-of-flight experiments?
• What to expect from scalar-tensor space geodesy