Non-Relativistic Fermion-Fermion Scattering in Higher Derivative Gravity

TL;DR

This paper investigates how higher derivative gravity theories modify fermion-fermion scattering, deriving a corrected Newtonian potential with Yukawa-like terms and exploring astrophysical implications for white dwarfs.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed calculation of fermion scattering in higher derivative gravity and derives the resulting quantum-corrected gravitational potential.

Findings

Yukawa-like correction to Newtonian potential derived

Quantum corrections affect Chandrasekhar radius of white dwarfs

Potential implications for astrophysical observations

Abstract

In this note, we examine the scattering of two identical fermions in theories where fermionic fields minimally coupled to higher derivative gravity. In particular, we consider the extension of general relativity with $R^2$ corrections or non-local terms. We expand the action of fermions around the flat space background and obtain two fermion-one graviton vertex. Then, by considering the scattering amplitude of two fermions, we calculate the non-relativistic limit and that obtain the potential for two fermion-fermion interaction which would be the usual Newtonian potential corrected with a Yukawa-like term. At the end, we briefly discuss the astronomical effects of such Yukawa-like potential by computing the gravitational pressure of a spherical star and use it for a white dwarf to obtain quantum corrections of Chandrasekhar radius.