Scalar-Tensor-Vector modified gravity in light of the Planck 2018 data

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the Scalar-Tensor-Vector-Gravity (STVG) theory's compatibility with Planck 2018 cosmic microwave background data using semianalytical approximations, demonstrating its ability to reproduce key spectral features.

Contribution

It extends previous work to show that STVG can match Planck 2018 data, providing a semi-analytical method for testing modified gravity theories against CMB observations.

Findings

STVG reproduces the angular power spectrum features accurately.

The semi-analytical approximation is effective for initial compatibility tests.

The theory remains consistent with recent cosmological data.

Abstract

The recent data release by the Planck satellite collaboration presents a renewed challenge for modified theories of gravitation. Such theories must be capable of reproducing the observed angular power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background radiation. For modified theories of gravity, an added challenge lies with the fact that standard computational tools do not readily accommodate the features of a theory with a variable gravitational coupling coefficient. An alternative is to use less accurate but more easily modifiable semianalytical approximations to reproduce at least the qualitative features of the angular power spectrum. We extend a calculation that was used previously to demonstrate compatibility between the Scalar-Tensor-Vector-Gravity (STVG) theory, also known by the acronym MOG, and data from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) to show consistency between the theory and the newly released Planck 2018 data. We find that within the limits of this approximation, the theory accurately reproduces the features of the angular power spectrum.