Birkhoff's Theorem and Uniqueness: A Peek Beyond General Relativity

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Ghosh, Rajes, Mishra, Akash K, Chowdhury, Avijit
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Ghosh, Rajes
Mishra, Akash K
Chowdhury, Avijit
author_facet Ghosh, Rajes
Mishra, Akash K
Chowdhury, Avijit
contents In General Relativity, Birkhoff's theorem asserts that any spherically symmetric vacuum solution must be static and asymptotically flat. In this paper, we study the validity of Birkhoff's theorem for a broad class of modified gravity theories in four spacetime dimensions, including quadratic and higher-order gravity models. We demonstrate that the Schwarzschild spacetime remains the unique Einstein branch solution outside any spherically symmetric configuration of these theories. Consequently, unlike black holes, the breakdown of junction conditions at the surface of the star further implies that the actual spacetime metric outside a horizonless star in these modified theories cannot simultaneously be spherically symmetric and remain within the Einstein branch. This insight offers a unique observational probe for theories beyond General Relativity.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2411_09193
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Birkhoff's Theorem and Uniqueness: A Peek Beyond General Relativity
Ghosh, Rajes
Mishra, Akash K
Chowdhury, Avijit
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Physics - Theory
In General Relativity, Birkhoff's theorem asserts that any spherically symmetric vacuum solution must be static and asymptotically flat. In this paper, we study the validity of Birkhoff's theorem for a broad class of modified gravity theories in four spacetime dimensions, including quadratic and higher-order gravity models. We demonstrate that the Schwarzschild spacetime remains the unique Einstein branch solution outside any spherically symmetric configuration of these theories. Consequently, unlike black holes, the breakdown of junction conditions at the surface of the star further implies that the actual spacetime metric outside a horizonless star in these modified theories cannot simultaneously be spherically symmetric and remain within the Einstein branch. This insight offers a unique observational probe for theories beyond General Relativity.
title Birkhoff's Theorem and Uniqueness: A Peek Beyond General Relativity
topic General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Physics - Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.09193