Testing scalar-tensor theories and PPN parameters in Earth orbit

Abstract

We compute the PPN parameters $\gamma$ and $\beta$ for general scalar-tensor theories in the Einstein frame, which we compare to the existing PPN formulation in the Jordan frame for alternative theories of gravity. This computation is important for scalar-tensor theories that are expressed in the Einstein frame, such as chameleon and symmetron theories, which can incorporate hiding mechanisms that predict environment-dependent PPN parameters. We introduce a general formalism for scalar-tensor theories and constrain it using the limit on $\gamma$ given by the Cassini experiment. In particular we discuss massive Brans-Dicke scalar fields for extended sources. Next, using a recently proposed Earth satellite experiment, in which atomic clocks are used for spacecraft tracking, we compute the observable perturbations in the redshift induced by PPN parameters deviating from their general relativistic values. Our estimates suggest that $|\gamma -1|\sim |\beta -1|\sim 10^{-6}$ may be detectable by a satellite that carries a clock with fractional frequency uncertainty $\Delta f/f\sim 10^{-16}$ in an eccentric orbit around the Earth. Such space experiments are within reach of existing atomic clock technology. We discuss further the requirements necessary for such a mission to detect deviations from Einstein relativity.

arXiv comment17 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. D

References in corpus (21)

• The Confrontation between General Relativity and Experiment
• Chameleon Fields: Awaiting Surprises for Tests of Gravity in Space
• Chameleon Cosmology
• The String Dilaton and a Least Coupling Principle
• Quintessence and the Rest of the World
• An Optical Lattice Clock with Accuracy and Stability at the $10^{-18}$ Level
• Symmetron Fields: Screening Long-Range Forces Through Local Symmetry Restoration
• Evidence for the spin-0 nature of the Higgs boson using ATLAS data
• Equivalence Principle Violations and Couplings of a Light Dilaton
• Symmetron Cosmology
• Quantum Tests of the Einstein Equivalence Principle with the STE-QUEST Space Mission
• Relativistic effects and dark matter in the Solar system from observations of planets and spacecraft
• PPN Parameter $\gamma$ and Solar System Constraints of Massive Brans-Dicke Theories
• Use of MESSENGER radioscience data to improve planetary ephemeris and to test general relativity
• Post-Newtonian parameters gamma and beta of scalar-tensor gravity with a general potential
• A Modified Scalar-Tensor-Vector Gravity Theory and the Constraint on its Parameters
• Combined cosmological and solar system constraints on chameleon mechanism
• Relativistic redshift effects and the Galactic-center stars
• Pulsar Constraints on Screened Modified Gravity
• Spacecraft Clocks and Relativity: Prospects for Future Satellite Missions
• Probing the Flyby Anomaly with the future STE-QUEST mission

Cited by in corpus (33)

• Tests of Chameleon Gravity
• Spontaneous Scalarization with Massive Fields
• Slowly rotating neutron stars in scalar-tensor theories with a massive scalar field
• Invariant quantities in the scalar-tensor theories of gravitation
• Rapidly rotating neutron stars with a massive scalar field - structure and universal relations
• Post-Newtonian limit of generalized symmetric teleparallel gravity
• Tests of Gravity with Future Space-Based Experiments
• Parameterized post-Newtonian limit of Horndeski's gravity theory
• Post-Newtonian limit of Teleparallel Horndeski gravity
• The dS swampland conjecture with the electroweak symmetry and QCD chiral symmetry breaking
• Dynamical symmetries in Brans-Dicke cosmology
• Post-Newtonian parameters and cosmological constant of screened modified gravity
• Post-Newtonian parameter $\gamma$ for multiscalar-tensor gravity with a general potential
• Post-Newtonian limit of generalized scalar-torsion theories of gravity
• Post-Newtonian limit of scalar-torsion theories of gravity as analogue to scalar-curvature theories
• Post-Newtonian parameters $\gamma$ and $\beta$ of scalar-tensor gravity for a homogeneous gravitating sphere
• Exact Scalar-Tensor Cosmological Models
• Axisymmetric equilibrium models for magnetised neutron stars in Scalar-Tensor Theories
• Exact Scalar-Tensor Cosmological Solutions via Noether Symmetry
• Post-Newtonian $\gamma$-like parameters and the gravitational slip in scalar-tensor and $f(R)$ theories
• Space-time Dynamics Estimation from Space Mission Tracking Data
• Post-Newtonian parameter $\gamma$ and the deflection of light in ghost-free massive bimetric gravity
• Imprints of screened dark energy on nonlocal quantum correlations
• Monopolar and quadrupolar gravitational radiation from magnetically deformed neutron stars in modified gravity
• A HERO for general relativity
• Crystallized white dwarf stars in scalar-tensor gravity
• What to expect from scalar-tensor space geodesy
• Filtration of the gravitational frequency shift in the radio links communication with Earth's satellite
• Post-Newtonian limit of generalized scalar-teleparallel theories of gravity
• Future Dark Energy Constraints from Atomic Clocks
• Post-Newtonian Constraints on Scalar-Tensor Gravity
• Ward identities under the frame transformations in curved spacetime
• A viable relativistic scalar theory of gravitation