Model-independent comparisons of pulsar timings to scalar–tensor gravity

DOI10.1088/0264-9381/29/24/245004MaRDI QIDQ4905445zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors M. W. Horbatsch, C. P. Burgess

Publication date 18 February 2013

Published in Classical and Quantum Gravity (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://arxiv.org/abs/1107.3585

zbMATH Keywords

scalar-tensor gravityBrans-Dicke modelpulsar timingdouble pulsar

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Equations of motion in general relativity and gravitational theory (83C10) General questions in astronomy and astrophysics (85A04) Relativistic gravitational theories other than Einstein's, including asymmetric field theories (83D05)

Abstract: Observations of pulsar timing provide strong constraints on scalar-tensor theories of gravity, but these constraints are traditionally quoted as limits on the microscopic parameters (like the Brans-Dicke coupling, for example) that govern the strength of scalar-matter couplings at the particle level in particular models. Here we present fits to timing data for several pulsars directly in terms of the phenomenological couplings (masses, scalar charges, moment of inertia sensitivities and so on) of the stars involved, rather than to the more microscopic parameters of a specific model. For instance, for the double pulsar PSR J0737-3039A/B we find at the 68% confidence level that the masses are bounded by 1.28 < m_A/m_sun < 1.34 and 1.19 < m_B/m_sun < 1.25, while the scalar-charge to mass ratios satisfy |a_A| < 0.21, |a_B| < 0.21 and |a_B - a_A| < 0.002$. These constraints are independent of the details of the scalar tensor model involved, and of assumptions about the stellar equations of state. Our fits can be used to constrain a broad class of scalar tensor theories by computing the fit quantities as functions of the microscopic parameters in any particular model. For the Brans-Dicke and quasi-Brans-Dicke models, the constraints obtained in this manner are consistent with those quoted in the literature.

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Cited in

(5)

• Stellar structure models in modified theories of gravity: lessons and challenges
• Constraining spacetime deformation based on astrophysical observations from radio pulsars
• Temporal evolution of isolated pulsars; Age-Tau problem
• Scalar charges and scaling relations in massless scalar-tensor theories
• New binary pulsar constraints on Einstein-æther theory after GW170817

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