Nature of phase transitions and metastability in scalar-tensor theories

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Ünlütürk, Kıvanç İ., Tuna, Semih, Yamak, Oğuzhan K., Ramazanoğlu, Fethi M.
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Ünlütürk, Kıvanç İ.
Tuna, Semih
Yamak, Oğuzhan K.
Ramazanoğlu, Fethi M.
author_facet Ünlütürk, Kıvanç İ.
Tuna, Semih
Yamak, Oğuzhan K.
Ramazanoğlu, Fethi M.
contents Compact stars above a critical stellar mass develop large scalar fields in some scalar-tensor theories. This scenario, called spontaneous scalarization, has been an intense topic of study since it passes weak-field gravity tests naturally while providing clear observables in the strong-field regime. The underlying mechanism for the onset of scalarization is often depicted as a second-order phase transition. Here, we show that a first-order phase transition is in fact the most common mechanism. This means metastability and transitions between locally stable compact object configurations are much more likely than previously believed, opening vast new avenues for observational prospects.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2502_01781
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Nature of phase transitions and metastability in scalar-tensor theories
Ünlütürk, Kıvanç İ.
Tuna, Semih
Yamak, Oğuzhan K.
Ramazanoğlu, Fethi M.
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
Compact stars above a critical stellar mass develop large scalar fields in some scalar-tensor theories. This scenario, called spontaneous scalarization, has been an intense topic of study since it passes weak-field gravity tests naturally while providing clear observables in the strong-field regime. The underlying mechanism for the onset of scalarization is often depicted as a second-order phase transition. Here, we show that a first-order phase transition is in fact the most common mechanism. This means metastability and transitions between locally stable compact object configurations are much more likely than previously believed, opening vast new avenues for observational prospects.
title Nature of phase transitions and metastability in scalar-tensor theories
topic General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.01781