https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-018-6401-0
Regular Article - Theoretical Physics
Modified gravity revealed along geodesic tracks
1
Dipartimento di Fisica “E. Pancini”, Universitá di Napoli “Federico II”, Compl. Univ. di Monte S. Angelo, Edificio G, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy
2
INFN Sez. di Napoli, Compl. Univ. di Monte S. Angelo, Edificio G, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy
3
Institute for Theoretical Physics, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Str. 1, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
4
Laboratory for Theoretical Cosmology, Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR), 634050, Tomsk, Russia
5
Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), 20018, Donostia-San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
6
Department of Theoretical Physics and History of Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940, Leioa, Spain
* e-mail: ivan.demartino@dipc.org
Received:
2
August
2018
Accepted:
30
October
2018
Published online:
11
November
2018
The study of the dynamics of a two-body system in modified gravity constitutes a more complex problem than in Newtonian gravity. Numerical methods are typically needed to solve the equations of geodesics. Despite the complexity of the problem, the study of a two-body system in f(R) gravity leads to a new exciting perspective hinting the right strategy to adopt in order to probe modified gravity. Our results point out some differences between the semiclassical (Newtonian) approach, and the relativistic (geodesic) one thus suggesting that the latter represents the best strategy for future tests of modified theories of gravity. Finally, we have also highlighted the capability of forthcoming observations to serve as smoking gun of modified gravity revealing a departure from GR or further reducing the parameter space of f(R) gravity.
© The Author(s), 2018
