Chern-Simons Modified General Relativity

TL;DR

This review discusses Chern-Simons modified gravity, an extension of general relativity that incorporates gravitational parity violation, exploring its theoretical foundations, solutions, observational constraints, and future research directions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive pedagogical overview of the origins, solutions, and observational tests of Chern-Simons modified gravity, highlighting recent developments and open questions.

Findings

Multiple exact and approximate solutions identified

Various astrophysical and cosmological constraints discussed

Potential for future tests of gravitational parity violation

Abstract

Chern-Simons modified gravity is an effective extension of general relativity that captures leading-order, gravitational parity violation. Such an effective theory is motivated by anomaly cancelation in particle physics and string theory. In this review, we begin by providing a pedagogical derivation of the three distinct ways such an extension arises: (1) in particle physics, (2) from string theory and (3) geometrically. We then review many exact and approximate, vacuum solutions of the modified theory, and discuss possible matter couplings. Following this, we review the myriad astrophysical, solar system, gravitational wave and cosmological probes that bound Chern-Simons modified gravity, including discussions of cosmic baryon asymmetry and inflation. The review closes with a discussion of possible future directions in which to test and study gravitational parity violation.