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arXiv · 1512.05946

White Dwarf Critical Tests for Modified Gravity

Rajeev Kumar Jain·Chris Kouvaris·Niklas Grønlund Nielsen
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Abstract

Scalar-tensor theories of gravity can lead to modifications of the gravitational force inside astrophysical objects. We exhibit that compact stars such as white dwarfs provide a unique set-up to test beyond Horndeski theories of ${\rm G}^3$ type. We obtain stringent and independent constraints on the parameter $Υ$ characterizing the deviations from Newtonian gravity using the mass-radius relation, the Chandrasekhar mass limit and the maximal rotational frequency of white dwarfs. We find that white dwarfs impose stronger constraints on $Υ$ than red and brown dwarfs.

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Rajeev Kumar Jain, Chris Kouvaris, Niklas Grønlund Nielsen. 2016-04-08. White Dwarf Critical Tests for Modified Gravity. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.116.151103

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