Geometric scalar theory of gravity

TL;DR

This paper introduces a geometric scalar theory of gravity formulated via the background field method, addressing previous criticisms and demonstrating its compatibility with electromagnetic phenomena.

Contribution

It presents a novel scalar gravity model that overcomes earlier theoretical and observational issues, expanding the scope of scalar gravitational theories.

Findings

The theory avoids previous criticisms related to scalar gravity.

It demonstrates compatibility with electromagnetic phenomena.

The model offers new insights into scalar gravitational interactions.

Abstract

We present a geometric scalar theory of gravity. Our proposal will be described using the "background field method" introduced by Gupta, Feynman and others as a field theory formulation of general relativity. We analyze previous criticisms against scalar gravity and show how the present proposal avoids these difficulties. This concerns not only the theoretical complaints but also those related to observations. In particular, we show that the widespread belief of the conjecture that the source of scalar gravity must be the trace of the energy-momentum tensor - which is one of the main difficulties to couple gravity with electromagnetic phenomenon in previous models - does not apply to our geometric scalar theory. Some consequences of the new scalar theory are explored.