Quantum corrections to symmetron fifth-force profiles

TL;DR

This paper develops a Green's function method to compute quantum corrections to symmetron scalar fields, revealing that quantum effects can weaken the fifth force in certain parameter regimes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach for calculating leading-order quantum corrections to symmetron profiles near spherical sources.

Findings

Quantum corrections can reduce the symmetron fifth force compared to classical predictions.

The method applies to parameters previously constrained by experiments.

Quantum effects may influence the detectability of symmetron-mediated forces.

Abstract

Nonlinear scalar-tensor theories of gravity have been considered as candidates for dark matter and dark energy. Often, they possess screening mechanisms, which allow the fifth force mediated by the additional scalar degree(s) of freedom to evade detection from local experiments. Their classical behaviour is well studied, but their quantum nature is relatively unexplored. We outline a Green's function method for obtaining the leading-order quantum corrections to the classical symmetron field profile, in the vicinity of a spherically symmetric extended source, in the planar limit. For parameters that experiments had previously ruled out, our calculations indicate that the symmetron force may be weaker than the classical field suggests.