Publication: On the detection of scalar field induced space-time torsion
Program
KU-Authors
KU Authors
Co-Authors
Tucker, RW
Advisor
Publication Date
Language
English
Type
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
We argue that the geodesic hypothesis based on autoparallels of the Levi-Civita connection may need refinement in the scalar-tensor theories of gravity. Based on a reformulation of the Brans-Dicke theory in terms of a connection with torsion determined dynamically in terms of the gradient of the Brans-Dicke scalar field, we compute the perihelion shift in the orbit of Mercury on the alternative hypothesis that its worldline is an autoparallel of a connection with torsion. If the Brans-Dicke scalar field couples significantly to matter and test particles move on such worldlines, the current time keeping methods based on the conventional geodesic hypothesis may need refinement.
Source:
Modern Physics Letters A
Publisher:
World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd
Keywords:
Subject
Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, Nuclear, Particles and fields, Mathematical