Gravity with a generalized conformal scalar field: Theory and solutions

Abstract

We naturally extend the theory of gravity with a conformally coupled scalar field by only requiring conformal invariance of the scalar field equation of motion and not of the action. The classically extended theory incorporates a scalar-Gauss-Bonnet sector and has second-order equations of motion, belonging to the Horndeski class. Remarkably, the theory features a purely geometrical field equation that allows for closed-form black hole solutions and cosmologies to be easily found. These solutions permit investigations of in-vogue scalar-Gauss-Bonnet corrections to the gravitational action without the need of resorting to approximations or numerical methods. We discuss on the connection to the recently formulated 4D Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet theory of gravity.

7 pages, 1 ancillary file. V2: References added and typo corrected. Published in Physical Review D

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Cited by in corpus (6)

• The 4D Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet Theory of Gravity: A Review
• Black Holes in the Scalar-Tensor Formulation of 4D Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet Gravity: Uniqueness of Solutions, and a New Candidate for Dark Matter
• Exploring the Small Mass Limit of Stationary Black Holes in Theories with Gauss-Bonnet Terms
• Multi-horizons black hole solutions, photon sphere and perihelion shift in weak ghost-free Gauss-Bonnet theory of gravity
• Image of the thin accretion disk around compact objects in the Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity
• Cosmic acceleration from string induced Galileons