High-energy scalarons in R^{2} gravity as a model for Dark Matter in galaxies

TL;DR

This paper proposes a model using R^{2} gravity and high-energy scalarons to explain dark matter in galaxies, analyzing stationary states, gravitational lensing, and the Bullet Cluster within this framework.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach using linearized R^{2} gravity to model galactic dark matter as scalarons, linking gravitational phenomena with galactic dynamics.

Findings

Scalarons can form stationary states modeling galactic dark matter

The model can account for gravitational lensing effects

Potential explanation for Bullet Cluster properties

Abstract

We show that in the framework of R^{2} gravity and in the linearized approach it is possible to obtain spherically symmetric stationary states that can be used as a model for galaxies. The model can also help to have a better understanding on the theoretical basis of Einstein-Vlasov systems. Specifically, we discuss, in the linearized R^{2} gravity, the solutions of a Klein-Gordon equation for the spacetime curvature. Such solutions describe high energy scalarons, a field that in the context of galactic dynamics can be interpreted like the no-light-emitting galactic component. That is, these particles can be figured out like wave-packets showing stationary solutions in the Einstein-Vlasov system. As pertinent to the issue under analysis in this paper, we present an analysis on the gravitational lensing phenomena within this framework. Although the main goal of this paper is to give a potential solution to the Dark Matter Problem within galaxies, we add a Section where we show that an important property of the Bullet Cluster can in principle be explained in the scenario introduced in this work. To the end, we discuss the generic prospective to give rise to the Dark Matter component of most galaxies within extended gravity.