arXiv subjects

Michael Udemba

Publications and source records attributed to Michael Udemba.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Quantum corrections to symmetron fifth forces for planar sources

We provide a semi-analytic calculation of the first quantum corrections to the symmetron fifth force around a planar source with nonzero thickness. We find a suppression of the fifth force compared with the classical prediction within a Compton wavelength of the source, which is of order 10% in the parameter region relevant to experiments like CANNEX, while the fifth force is enhanced at larger distances from the source. The resulting change in the spatial profile of the fifth force may be relevant to current and near future terrestrial and astrophysical tests of force laws, and has implications for the optimisation of experimental geometries, including atom interferometers. This work provides a key benchmark for future numerical studies of quantum-corrected fifth forces in screened scalar-tensor theories of gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Quantum corrections to symmetron fifth-force profiles

Nonlinear scalar-tensor theories of gravity have been considered as candidates for dark matter and dark energy. Often, they possess screening mechanisms, which allow the fifth force mediated by the additional scalar degree(s) of freedom to evade detection from local experiments. Their classical behaviour is well studied, but their quantum nature is relatively unexplored. We outline a Green's function method for obtaining the leading-order quantum corrections to the classical symmetron field profile, in the vicinity of a spherically symmetric extended source, in the planar limit. For parameters that experiments had previously ruled out, our calculations indicate that the symmetron force may be weaker than the classical field suggests.

hep-th↗