Reconstructing $f(R)$ gravity from generalized entropies: exact Lagrangians

Abstract

Generalized horizon entropies are widely used as theoretical modifications of the Bekenstein-Hawking area law, but through the Wald construction they may also encode modifications of the underlying gravitational dynamics. We reconstruct metric $f(R)$ gravity from prescribed entropy-area relations and show that the procedure is intrinsically branch dependent through the required area-curvature map. On the maximally symmetric branch, where $A=48\pi/R$ exactly, the reconstruction reduces to a single quadrature and can be performed non-perturbatively. We obtain closed-form Lagrangians for several generalized entropies and show that an entropy term $a~S_{BH}^{q}$ generates a curvature term proportional to $R^{2-q}$. In particular, Kaniadakis entropy produces a $1/R$ correction, while logarithmic entropy generates an $R^2\ln R$ term. We further derive a branch-independent criterion, $\partial_{R}^{2} f=(ds/dR)d(S/s)/ds$, relating Dolgov-Kawasaki stability directly to the entropy functional, together with $m_{\rm sc}^2=S'(s)/(3f_{RR})$ on the maximally symmetric branch. Comparison with the fixed-mass Schwarzschild-de Sitter branch reveals different reconstructed Lagrangians and reversed stability properties. Finally, the weak-isolated-horizon boost charge reproduces the original generalized entropy. These results establish a direct non-perturbative link between generalized horizon thermodynamics and modified gravitational dynamics.