Is scalar-tensor gravity consistent with polytropic stellar models?

TL;DR

This study investigates the scalar field potential in scalar-tensor gravity within polytropic stellar models, revealing that the potential varies significantly across different stellar types and cannot be universally defined.

Contribution

It numerically derives the scalar field potential for various stellar objects without assuming a specific form, highlighting the dependency on matter configuration and boundary conditions.

Findings

Potential varies with stellar type and boundary conditions

No universal scalar-tensor potential fits all stellar classes

Potential depends on matter configuration and vacuum requirements

Abstract

We study the scalar field potential $V(\phi)$ in the scalar-tensor gravity with self-consistent polytropic stellar configurations. Without choosing a particular potential, we numerically derive the potential inside various stellar objects. We restrict the potential to conform to general relativity or to $f(R)$ gravity inside and require the solution to arrive at SdS vacuum at the surface. The studied objects are required to obtain observationally valid masses and radii corresponding to solar type stars, white dwarfs and neutron stars. We find that the resulting scalar-tensor potential $V(\phi)$ for the numerically derived polytrope that conforms to general relativity, in each object class, is highly dependent on the matter configuration as well as on the vacuum requirement at the boundary. As a result, every stellar configuration arrives at a potential $V(\phi)$ that is not consistent with the other stellar class potentials. Therefore, a general potential that conforms to all these polytropic stellar classes could not be found.