Physical non-equivalence of the Jordan and Einstein frames

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that the Jordan and Einstein frames in a specific f(R)-gravity model are physically non-equivalent despite their mathematical connection via conformal transformation, based on analytical calculations.

Contribution

It provides a clear analytical demonstration of the physical non-equivalence between the Jordan and Einstein frames in a particular f(R)-gravity model.

Findings

Jordan and Einstein frames are physically non-equivalent.

Analytical calculations confirm non-equivalence.

Mathematical equivalence does not imply physical equivalence.

Abstract

We show, considering a specific f(R)-gravity model, that the Jordan frame and the Einstein frame are physically non-equivalent, although they are connected by a conformal transformation which yields a mathematical equivalence. Since all the calculations are performed analytically, this non-equivalence is shown in an unambiguous way.