Constraining fundamental parameters in modified gravity using Gaia-DR2 massive white dwarf observation

TL;DR

This paper uses Gaia-DR2 massive white dwarf data to constrain fundamental constants within modified gravity theories, showing that these bounds are sensitive to the gravity model and can be significantly tighter.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to constrain fundamental constants in the context of modified gravity using white dwarf observations, highlighting the impact of gravity theories on these bounds.

Findings

Bounds on fundamental parameters vary with gravity theory

Modified gravity can significantly tighten constraints

Astrophysical data supports non-negligible modified gravity effects

Abstract

Various experiments and observations have led researchers to suggest different bounds on fundamental constants like the fine-structure constant and the proton-to-electron mass ratio. These bounds differ mostly due to the energy scale of the systems where the experiments are performed. In this article, we obtain bounds on these parameters in the modified gravity context using the Gaia-DR2 massive white dwarf data and show that the bounds alter as the gravity theory changes. This exploration not only indicates strong support for non-negligible influences of modified gravity in astrophysical scenarios in high-density regimes but also reveals that the bounds on fundamental parameters can be much stronger under alternate gravity theories.