Quantum kinetic theory of Jeans instability in non-minimal matter-curvature coupling gravity

TL;DR

This paper develops a quantum kinetic framework using Wigner functions to analyze the Jeans instability within non-minimal matter-curvature coupling gravity, exploring quantum, gravitational, and thermal effects and comparing with astrophysical observations.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum kinetic approach to Jeans instability in non-minimal gravity models, extending classical methods and analyzing various special cases.

Findings

Quantum effects modify the classical Jeans criterion.

Non-minimal coupling influences stability conditions.

Model aligns with observed stability of Bok globules.

Abstract

We present a quantum treatment of the Jeans gravitational instability in the Newtonian limit of the non-minimal matter-curvature coupling gravity model. By relying on Wigner functions, allowing for the representation of quantum states in a classical phase space, we formulate a quantum kinetic treatment of this problem, generalizing the classical kinetic approach [C. Gomes, Eur. Phys. J. C 80, 633 (2020)]. This allows us to study the interplay between non-minimal matter-curvature coupling effects, quantum effects, and kinetic (finite-temperature) effects, on the Jeans criterion. We study in detail special cases of the model (general relativity, f(R) theories, pure non-minimal coupling, etc.) and confront the model with the observed stability of Bok globules.