Constraints on the Brans-Dicke gravity theory with the Planck data

TL;DR

Using Planck, WMAP, and BAO data, the paper constrains the Brans-Dicke gravity theory, finding no deviation from general relativity and setting limits on the variation of the gravitational constant.

Contribution

The paper provides new cosmological constraints on the Brans-Dicke theory using recent observational data, improving limits on deviations from general relativity.

Findings

No evidence of deviation from GR within 95% probability.

Constraints on the Brans-Dicke parameter: -0.00246 < ζ < 0.00567.

Variation rate of G today: approximately 1.4 × 10^{-13} yr^{-1}.

Abstract

Based on the new cosmic CMB temperature data from the Planck satellite, the 9 year polarization data from the WMAP, the BAO distance ratio data from the SDSS and 6dF surveys, we place a new constraint on the Brans-Dicke theory. We adopt a parametrization $\zeta=\ln(1+1/\omega})$, where the general relativity (GR) limit corresponds to $\zeta = 0$. We find no evidence of deviation from general relativity. At 95% probability, $-0.00246 < \zeta < 0.00567$, correspondingly, the region $-407.0 < \omega <175.87$ is excluded. If we restrict ourselves to the $\zeta>0$ (i.e. $\omega >0$) case, then the 95% probability interval is $\zeta<0.00549$, corresponding to $\omega> 181.65$. We can also translate this result to a constraint on the variation of gravitational constant, and find the variation rate today as $\dot{G}=-1.42^{+2.48}_{-2.27} \times 10^{-13} $yr$^{-1} $ ($1\sigma$ error bar), the integrated change since the epoch of recombination is $\delta G/G = 0.0104^{+0.0186}_{-0.0067} $ ($1\sigma$ error bar). These limits on the variation of gravitational constant are comparable with the precision of solar system experiments.