Geodesic and Path Motion in the Nonsymmetric Gravitational Theory

TL;DR

This paper investigates test-particle motion in the Nonsymmetric Gravitational Theory, revealing finite travel times and the possibility of stable circular orbits at smaller radii than in General Relativity, with implications for alternative coupling methods.

Contribution

It introduces new insights into particle trajectories in NGT, including finite travel times and stable orbits, and proposes three alternative coupling interactions for test-particles.

Findings

Finite proper time between radial positions

Stable circular orbits at smaller radii than in GR

Potential Yukawa-like force in weak-field limit

Abstract

We study the problem of test-particle motion in the Nonsymmetric Gravitational Theory (NGT) assuming the four-velocity of the particle is parallel-transported along the trajectory. The predicted motion is studied on a static, spherically symmetric background field, with particular attention paid to radial and circular motions. Interestingly, it is found that the proper time taken to travel between any two non-zero radial positions is finite. It is also found that circular orbits can be supported at lower radii than in General Relativity for certain forms of motion. We present three interactions which could be used as alternate methods for coupling a test-particle to the antisymmetric components of the NGT field. One of these takes the form of a Yukawa force in the weak-field limit of a static, spherically symmetric field, which could lead to interesting phenomenology.