Post-Newtonian expansion of scale-dependent gravity

TL;DR

This paper extends the parameterized post-Newtonian formalism to scale-dependent gravity, revealing a new potential that modifies pressure and energy definitions but does not impact Solar System tests.

Contribution

It introduces a covariant scale-setting procedure and applies the PPN formalism to scale-dependent gravity, uncovering a novel potential at the first post-Newtonian order.

Findings

A new potential appears at the first post-Newtonian order.

The new potential modifies pressure and internal energy definitions.

The potential does not influence Solar System orbital tests.

Abstract

Scale-dependent gravity is an extension of general relativity in which the Newton and cosmological constants may vary slightly with the energy scale due to remnant low-energy quantum effects. A fundamental feature of this approach is the scale-setting procedure. In a previous work, a covariant expression for the scale, consistent with conservation laws, was established. Here, we apply the full Will-Nordtvedt version of the parameterized post-Newtonian (PPN) formalism to this framework, assuming that the constants can be expressed as a power series in the scale. We find that a new potential arises at the first post-Newtonian order, which is absent from the standard PPN formalism. This potential modifies the definitions of pressure and internal energy but does not affect center-of-mass orbits and is, therefore, not constrained by Solar System tests.