# Gravitational Waves in $F(R)$ Gravity: Scalar Waves and the Chameleon Mechanism

## TL;DR

This paper explores how the chameleon mechanism suppresses scalar gravitational waves in $F(R)$ gravity, affecting their detectability by current and future gravitational wave observatories.

## Contribution

It demonstrates the impact of the chameleon mechanism on scalar wave detection in $F(R)$ gravity using a specific matter distribution model.

## Key findings

- Chameleon mechanism significantly suppresses scalar waves near Earth.
- Scalar waves are less detectable than tensor modes in ground-based observatories.
- Future space-based detectors could improve scalar wave detection prospects.

## Abstract

We discuss the scalar mode of gravitational waves emerging in the context of $F(R)$ gravity by taking into account the chameleon mechanism. Assuming a toy model with a specific matter distribution to reproduce the environment of detection experiment by a ground-based gravitational wave observatory, we find that chameleon mechanism remarkably suppresses the scalar wave in the atmosphere of Earth, compared with the tensor modes of the gravitational waves. We also discuss the possibility to detect and constrain scalar waves by the current gravitational observatories and advocate a necessity of the future space-based observations.