f (R, T ) gravity

Tiberiu Harko∗
Department of Physics and Center for Theoretical and Computational Physics,
The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, P. R. China

Francisco S. N. Lobo†
Centro de Astronomia e Astrofı́sica da Universidade de Lisboa,
Campo Grande, Ed. C8 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal

Shin’ichi Nojiri‡
Department of Physics, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan and
Kobayashi-Maskawa Institute for the Origin of Particles and the Universe, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602, Japan
arXiv:1104.2669v2 [gr-qc] 15 Jun 2011

Sergei D. Odintsov§
Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avancats (ICREA) and Institut de Ciencies de lEspai (IEEC-CSIC),
Campus UAB, Facultat de Ciencies, Torre C5-Par-2a pl, E-08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
Also at Tomsk State Pedagogical University, Tomsk
(Dated: November 26, 2024)
We consider f (R, T ) modified theories of gravity, where the gravitational Lagrangian is given
by an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar R and of the trace of the stress-energy tensor T . We
obtain the gravitational field equations in the metric formalism, as well as the equations of motion
for test particles, which follow from the covariant divergence of the stress-energy tensor. Generally,
the gravitational field equations depend on the nature of the matter source. The field equations
of several particular models, corresponding to some explicit forms of the function f (R, T ), are also
presented. An important case, which is analyzed in detail, is represented by scalar field models. We
write down the action and briefly consider the cosmological implications of the f R, T φ models,

where T φ is the trace of the stress-energy tensor of a self-interacting scalar field. The equations of
motion of the test particles are also obtained from a variational principle. The motion of massive
test particles is non-geodesic, and takes place in the presence of an extra force orthogonal to the
four-velocity. The Newtonian limit of the equation of motion is further analyzed. Finally, we provide
a constraint on the magnitude of the extra-acceleration by analyzing the perihelion precession of
the planet Mercury in the framework of the present model.

PACS numbers: [Link], [Link], [Link], [Link]

I. INTRODUCTION

The recent observational data [1, 2] on the late-time acceleration of the Universe and the existence of dark matter
have posed a fundamental theoretical challenge to gravitational theories. One possibility in explaining the observations
is by assuming that at large scales the Einstein gravity model of general relativity breaks down, and a more general
action describes the gravitational field. Theoretical models, in which the standard Einstein-Hilbert action is replaced
by an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar R [3], have been extensively investigated lately. The presence of a late-time
cosmic acceleration of the Universe can indeed be explained by f (R) gravity [4]. The conditions of the existence of
viable cosmological models have been found in [5], and severe weak field constraints obtained from the classical tests
of general relativity for the Solar System regime seem to rule out most of the models proposed so far [6, 7]. However,
viable models, passing Solar System tests, can be constructed [8–11]. f (R) models that satisfy local tests and unify
inflation with dark energy were considered in [12]. In the framework of f (R) gravity models the possibility that the
galactic dynamic of massive test particles can be understood without the need for dark matter was considered in
[13–17]. For reviews of f (R) generalized gravity models see [3, 18].

∗ Electronic address: harko@[Link]

† Electronic address: flobo@[Link]
‡ Electronic address: nojiri@[Link]
§ Electronic address: odintsov@[Link]
 2

A generalization of f (R) modified theories of gravity was proposed in [19], by including in the theory an explicit
coupling of an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar R with the matter Lagrangian density Lm . As a result of the
coupling the motion of the massive particles is non-geodesic, and an extra force, orthogonal to the four-velocity, arises.
The connections with Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) and the Pioneer anomaly were also explored. This
model was extended to the case of the arbitrary couplings in both geometry and matter in [20]. The astrophysical
and cosmological implications of the non-minimal coupling matter-geometry coupling were extensively investigated in
[21, 22], and the Palatini formulation of the non-minimal geometry-coupling models was considered in [23]. In this
context, a maximal extension of the Hilbert-Einstein action was proposed in [24], by assuming that the gravitational
Lagrangian is given by an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar R and of the matter Lagrangian Lm . The gravitational
field equations have been obtained in the metric formalism, as well as the equations of motion for test particles, which
follow from the covariant divergence of the stress-energy tensor.
A specific application of the latter f (R, Lm ) gravity was proposed in [25], which may be considered a relativistically
covariant model of interacting dark energy, based on the principle of least action. The cosmological constant in
the gravitational Lagrangian is a function of the trace of the stress-energy tensor, and consequently the model was
denoted “Λ(T ) gravity”. It was argued that recent cosmological data favor a variable cosmological constant, which
are consistent with Λ(T ) gravity, without the need to specify an exact form of the function Λ(T ) [25]. Λ(T ) gravity
is more general than the Palatini f (R) gravity, and reduces to the latter when we neglect the pressure of the matter.
It is the purpose of the present paper to consider another extension of standard general relativity, the f (R, T )
modified theories of gravity, where the gravitational Lagrangian is given by an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar R
and of the trace of the stress-energy tensor T . Note that the dependence from T may be induced by exotic imperfect
fluids or quantum effects (conformal anomaly). As a first step in our study we derive the field equations of the
model from a variational, Hilbert-Einstein type, principle. The covariant divergence of the stress-energy tensor is also
obtained. The f (R, T ) gravity model depends on a source term, representing the variation of the matter stress-energy
tensor with respect to the metric. A general expression for this source term is obtained as a function of the matter
Lagrangian Lm . Therefore each choice of Lm would generate a specific set of field equations. Some particular models,
corresponding to specific choices of the function f (R, T ) are also presented, and their properties are briefly discussed.
In fact, we also demonstrate the possibility of reconstruction of arbitrary FRW cosmologies by an appropriate choice
of a function f (T ). Scalar fields play a fundamental role in cosmology, i.e., as possible explanations for
inflation, late
time acceleration, or dark matter, respectively. Therefore, we introduce and briefly discuss the f R, T φ gravitational
models, where T φ is the trace of the stress-energy of the scalar field. Some cosmological applications of this model
are also presented.
Since in the present model the covariant divergence of the stress-energy tensor is non-zero, the motion of massive
test particles is non-geodesic, and an extra acceleration, due to the coupling between matter and geometry, is always
present. The equations of motion of test particles are obtained from a variational principle. The same variational
principle can be used to investigate the Newtonian limit of the model, and the expression of the extra-acceleration is
also obtained. We use the precession of the perihelion of the planet Mercury to obtain a general constraint on the
magnitude of the extra-acceleration.
The present paper is organized as follows. The field equations of f (R, T ) gravity are derived in Section II. Some
particular cases of the model are considered in Section III. The case of the scalar fields is discussed in Section IV,
and a Brans-Dicke type formulation of the model is obtained. The equations of motion of massive test particles are
derived in Section V, where the Newtonian limit of the model is also obtained and analyzed. We discuss and conclude
our results in Section VI. In the present paper we use the natural system of units with G = c = 1, so that the Einstein
gravitational constant is defined as κ2 = 8π.

II. GRAVITATIONAL FIELD EQUATIONS OF f (R, T ) GRAVITY

We assume that the action for the modified theories of gravity takes the following form
1 √ √
Z Z
S= f (R, T ) −g d4 x + Lm −g d4 x , (1)
16π

where f (R, T ) is an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar, R, and of the trace T of the stress-energy tensor of the
matter, Tµν . Lm is the matter Lagrangian density, and we define the stress-energy tensor of matter as [26]
√
2 δ ( −gLm )
Tµν = − √ , (2)
−g δg µν
 3

and its trace by T = g µν Tµν , respectively. By assuming that the Lagrangian density Lm of matter depends only on
the metric tensor components gµν , and not on its derivatives, we obtain
∂Lm
Tµν = gµν Lm − 2 . (3)
∂g µν
By varying the action S of the gravitational field with respect to the metric tensor components g µν provides the
following relationship
√
1 δ ( −gLm ) √
Z  
1 δT µν 1 µν
δS = fR (R, T ) δR + fT (R, T ) µν δg − gµν f (R, T ) δg + 16π √ −gd4 x , (4)
16π δg 2 −g δg µν
where we have denoted fR (R, T ) = ∂f (R, T ) /∂R and fT (R, T ) = ∂f (R, T ) /∂T , respectively. For the variation of
the Ricci scalar, we obtain
δR = δ (g µν Rµν ) = Rµν δg µν + g µν ∇λ δΓλµν − ∇ν δΓλµλ ,


(5)
where ∇λ is the covariant derivative with respect to the symmetric connection Γ associated to the metric g. The
variation of the Christoffel symbols yields
1 λα
δΓλµν = g (∇µ δgνα + ∇ν δgαµ − ∇α δgµν ) , (6)
2
and the variation of the Ricci scalar provides the expression
δR = Rµν δg µν + gµν δg µν − ∇µ ∇ν δg µν . (7)
Therefore, for the variation of the action of the gravitational field we obtain
1
Z h
δS = fR (R, T ) Rµν δg µν + fR (R, T ) gµν δg µν − fR (R, T ) ∇µ ∇ν δg µν
16π
√ #
δ g αβ Tαβ


1 1 δ ( −gL m ) √
+fT (R, T ) δg µν − gµν f (R, T ) δg µν + 16π √ −gd4 x . (8)
δg µν 2 −g δg µν

We define the variation of T with respect to the metric tensor as

δ g αβ Tαβ


= Tµν + Θµν , (9)
δg µν
where
δTαβ
Θµν ≡ g αβ . (10)
δg µν
After partially integrating the second and third terms in Eq. (8), we obtain the field equations of the f (R, T ) gravity
model as
1
fR (R, T ) Rµν − f (R, T ) gµν + (gµν  − ∇µ ∇ν ) fR (R, T ) = 8πTµν − fT (R, T ) Tµν − fT (R, T ) Θµν . (11)
2
Note that when f (R, T ) ≡ f (R), from Eqs. (11) we obtain the field equations of f (R) gravity.
By contracting Eq. (11) gives the following relation between the Ricci scalar R and the trace T of the stress-energy
tensor,
fR (R, T ) R + 3fR (R, T ) − 2f (R, T ) = 8πT − fT (R, T ) T − fT (R, T ) Θ , (12)
where we have denoted Θ = Θµµ .
By eliminating the term fR (R, T ) between Eqs. (11) and (12), the gravitational field equations can be written in
the form
     
1 1 1 1
fR (R, T ) Rµν − Rgµν + f (R, T ) gµν = 8π Tµν − T gµν − fT (R, T ) Tµν − T gµν
3 6 3 3
 
1
−fT (R, T ) Θµν − Θgµν + ∇µ ∇ν fR (R, T ) . (13)
3
 4

Taking into account the covariant divergence of Eq. (11), with the use of the following mathematical identity [27]
 
1
∇µ fR (R, T ) Rµν − f (R, T ) gµν + (gµν  − ∇µ ∇ν ) fR (R, T ) ≡ 0 , (14)
2
where f (R, T ) is an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar R and of the trace of the stress-energy tensor T , we obtain
for the divergence of the stress-energy tensor Tµν the equation
fT (R, T )
∇µ Tµν = [(Tµν + Θµν ) ∇µ ln fT (R, T ) + ∇µ Θµν ] . (15)
8π − fT (R, T )
Next we consider the calculation of the tensor Θµν , once the matter Lagrangian is known. From Eq. (3) we obtain
first
δTαβ δgαβ ∂Lm ∂ 2 Lm
= L m + g αβ − 2
δg µν δg µν ∂g µν ∂g µν ∂g αβ
δgαβ 1 1 ∂ 2 Lm
= L m + g αβ g µν L m − g αβ T µν − 2 . (16)
δg µν 2 2 ∂g µν ∂g αβ
From the condition gασ g σβ = δαβ , we have
δgαβ σγ
= −gασ gβγ δµν , (17)
δg µν
σγ
where δµν = δg σγ /δg µν is the generalized Kronecker symbol. Therefore for Θµν we find
∂ 2 Lm
Θµν = −2Tµν + gµν Lm − 2g αβ . (18)
∂g µν ∂g αβ
In the case of the electromagnetic field the matter Lagrangian is given by
1
Lm = − Fαβ Fγσ g αγ g βσ , (19)
16π
where Fαβ is the electromagnetic field tensor. In this case we obtain Θµν = −Tµν . In the case of a massless scalar
field φ with Lagrangian Lm = g αβ ∇α φ∇β φ, we obtain Θµν = −Tµν + (1/2)T gµν . The problem of the perfect fluids,
described by an energy density ρ, pressure p and four-velocity uµ is more complicated, since there is no unique
definition of the matter Lagrangian. However, in the present study we assume that the stress-energy tensor of the
matter is given by
Tµν = (ρ + p) uµ uν − pgµν , (20)
and the matter Lagrangian can be taken as Lm = −p. The four-velocity uµ satisfies the conditions uµ uµ = 1 and
uµ ∇ν uµ = 0, respectively. Then, with the use of Eq. (18), we obtain for the variation of the stress-energy of a perfect
fluid the expression
Θµν = −2Tµν − pgµν . (21)

III. PARTICULAR CASES OF GRAVITATIONAL FIELD EQUATIONS IN THE f (R, T ) MODEL

In the present Section we consider some particular classes of f (R, T ) modified gravity models, obtained by explicitly
specifying the functional form of f . Generally, the field equations also depend, through the tensor Θµν , on the physical
nature of the matter field. Hence in the case of f (R, T ) gravity, depending on the nature of the matter source, for
each choice of f we can obtain several theoretical models, corresponding to different matter models.

A. f (R, T ) = R + 2f (T )

As a first case of a f (R, T ) modified gravity model we assume that the function f (R, T ) is given by f (R, T ) =
R + 2f (T ), where f (T ) is an arbitrary function of the trace of the stress-energy tensor of matter. The gravitational
field equations immediately follow from Eq. (11), and are given by
1
Rµν − Rgµν = 8πTµν − 2f ′ (T ) Tµν − 2f ′ (T )Θµν + f (T )gµν , (22)
2
 5

where the prime denotes a derivative with respect to the argument.

If the matter source is a perfect fluid, Θµν = −2Tµν − pgµν , then the field equations become

1
Rµν − Rgµν = 8πTµν + 2f ′ (T ) Tµν + [2pf ′ (T ) + f (T )] gµν . (23)
2
In the case of dust with p = 0 the gravitational field equations are given by
1
Rµν − Rgµν = 8πTµν + 2f ′ (T )Tµν + f (T )gµν . (24)
2
These field equations were proposed in [25] to solve the cosmological constant problem. The simplest cosmological
model can be obtained by assuming a dust universe (p = 0, T = ρ), and by choosing the function f (T ) so that
f (T ) = λT , where λ is a constant. By assuming that the metric of the universe is given by the flat Robertson-Walker
metric,

ds2 = dt2 − a2 (t) dx2 + dy 2 + dz 2 ,

(25)

the gravitational field equations are given by

ȧ2
3 = (8π + 3λ) ρ , (26)
a2
ä ȧ2
2 + 2 = λρ , (27)
a a
respectively. Thus this f (R, T ) gravity model is equivalent to a cosmological model with an effective cosmological
constant Λeff ∝ H 2 , where H = ȧ/a is the Hubble function [25]. It is also interesting to note that generally for
this choice of f (R, T ) the gravitational coupling becomes an effective and time dependent coupling, of the form
Geff = G ± 2f ′ (T ). Thus the term 2f (T ) in the gravitational action modifies the gravitational interaction between
matter and curvature, replacing G by a running gravitational coupling parameter.
The field equations reduce to a single equation for H,
8π + 2λ 2
2Ḣ + 3 H = 0, (28)
8π + 3λ
with the general solution given by

2 (8π + 3λ) 1
H(t) = . (29)
3 (8π + 2λ) t

The scale factor evolves according to a(t) = tα , with α = 2 (8π + 3λ) /3 (8π + 2λ).

B. f (R, T ) = f1 (R) + f2 (T )

As a second example we consider the case in which the function f is given by f (R, T ) = f1 (R) + f2 (T ), where
f1 (R) and f2 (T ) are arbitrary functions of R and T , respectively. In this case for an arbitrary matter source the
gravitational field equations are given by
1 1
f1′ (R)Rµν − f1 (R)gµν + (gµν  − ∇µ ∇ν )f1 (R) = 8πTµν − f2′ (T )Tµν − f2′ (T )Θµν + f2 T )gµν . (30)
2 2
Assuming that the matter content consists of a perfect fluid, the gravitational field equations become
 
′ 1 ′ ′ ′ 1
f1 (R)Rµν − f1 (R)gµν + (gµν  − ∇µ ∇ν )f1 (R) = 8πTµν + f2 (T )Tµν + f2 (T )p + f2 (T ) gµν . (31)
2 2

In the case of dust with p = 0, the gravitational field equations reduce to

1 1
f1′ (R)Rµν − f1 (R)gµν + (gµν  − ∇µ ∇ν )f1′ (R) = 8πTµν + f2′ (T )Tµν + f2 (T )gµν . (32)
2 2
 6

In the case f2 (T ) ≡ 0, we re-obtain the field equations of standard f (R) gravity. Eq. (31) can be reformulated as an
effective Einstein field equations of the form
1 eff
Gµν = Rµν − Rgµν = 8πGeff Tµν + Tµν , (33)
2
where we have denoted
f2′ (T )
 
1
Geff = 1 + , (34)
f1′ (R) 8π
and
 
eff 1 1 ′ ′ ′
Tµν = ′ [f1 (R) − Rf1 (R) + 2f2 (T )p + f2 (T )] gµν − (gµν  − ∇µ ∇ν ) f1 (R) . (35)
f1 (R) 2

The gravitational coupling is again given by an effective, matter (and time) dependent coupling, which is proportional
to the derivative of the function f2 with respect to T . The gravitational field equations can be recast in such a form
that the higher order corrections, coming both from the geometry, and from the matter-geometry coupling, provide
a stress-energy tensor of geometrical and matter origin, describing an “effective” source term on the right hand side
of the standard Einstein field equations. In the f (R, T ) scenario, the cosmic acceleration may result not only from
a geometrical contribution to the total cosmic energy density, but it is also dependent on the matter content of the
universe, which provides new corrections to the Hilbert-Einstein Lagrangian via the matter-geometry coupling.
The (t, t) component of Eq. (32) has the following form:

f2′ (T )
   
2 8π 1 1 
2

′

′
 
′′
3H = ′ 1+ ρ+ ′ − f1 (R) − 6 Ḣ + 2H f1 (R) + 2f2 (T ) − 9 Ḧ + 4H Ḣ f1 (R) . (36)
f1 (R) 8π f1 (R) 2
 
Here R = 6 Ḣ + 2H 2 . For simplicity, Tµν correspondsto the matter with a constant EoS parameter w. If we now
define the e-folding N by a = a0 eN , ρ and T are given by

ρ = ρ0 e−3(1+w)N , T = −(1 − 3w)ρ0 e−3(1+w)N . (37)

We now consider an arbitrary development of the expansion in the Universe given by

H = h(N ) , (38)

where h(N ) is an arbitrary function of N . Then Eq. (36) can be written as

f2′ (T ) = F2 (N )

3 8π 1 
ρ0 e−3(1+w)N + f1 6 h(N )h′ (N ) + 2h(N )2


≡ −
1 + ρ0 e−3(1+w)N 3 6
− h(N )h (N ) + h(N ) f1 6 h(N )h (N ) + 2h(N )2
′ 2
  ′ ′



+3 h(N )2 h′′ (N ) + h(N )h′ (N )2 + 4h(N )2 h′ (N ) f1′′ 6 h(N )h′ (N ) + 2h(N )2

  

. (39)

Eq. (39) dictates that for an arbitrary f1 (R), and for the following specific choice
  
T
ln − (1−3w)ρ0
f2′ (T ) = F2 − , (40)
3(1 + w)

an arbitrary development of the expansion in the Universe given by (38) can be realized. Hence, for viable f (R)
gravitational models, using the above reconstruction method, the possibility arises to modify the universe evolution
by adding the corresponding function depending on the trace of the stress-energy tensor.

C. f (R, T ) = f1 (R) + f2 (R)f3 (T )

As a third case of generalized f (R, T ) gravity models, we consider that the action is given by f (R, T ) =
f1 (R) + f2 (R)f3 (T ), where fi , i = 1, 2, 3 are arbitrary functions of the argument. For an arbitrary matter source the
 7

gravitational field equations are given by

1
[f1′ (R) + f2′ (R)f3 (T )] Rµν − f1 (R)gµν + (gµν  − ∇µ ∇ν ) [f1′ (R) + f2′ (R)f3 (T )]
2
1
= 8πTµν − f2 (R)f3′ (T )Tµν − f2 (R)f3′ (T )Θµν + f2 (R)f3 (T )gµν . (41)
2
In the case of a perfect fluid we find the field equations
1
[f1′ (R) + f2′ (R)f3 (T )] Rµν − f1 (R)gµν + (gµν  − ∇µ ∇ν ) [f1′ (R) + f2′ (R)f3 (T )]
2  
′ ′ 1
= 8πTµν + f2 (R)f3 (T )Tµν + f2 (R) f3 (T )p + f3 (T ) gµν . (42)
2
For the case of dust matter we obtain
1
[f1′ (R) + f2′ (R)f3 (T )] Rµν − f1 (R)gµν + (gµν  − ∇µ ∇ν ) [f1′ (R) + f2′ (R)f3 (T )]
2
1
= 8πTµν + f2 (R)f3′ (T )Tµν + f2 (R)f3 (T )gµν . (43)
2
In this class of models both, the effective cosmological constant Λeff and the running gravitational coupling Geff are
functions of both matter and geometry.

f R, T φ GRAVITY


IV.

Scalar fields are supposed to play a fundamental role in physics and cosmology [28]. In particular, cosmological
inflation, the late-time acceleration of the universe, or dark matter and its properties can be explained in the framework
of specific scalar field models. However, obtaining more general gravitational models with scalar fields as a source may
give a better insight in the general properties of the gravitational field, and could also provide some possibilities for
observationally testing the generalizations of gravity models. In the present Section, we consider the f (R, T ) gravity
model in the case of self-interacting scalar fields.

The action of the f R, T φ gravity

A.

We start with the following action for matter,

√
Z
Smatter (gµν , ψi ) = d4 x −gL (gρσ , ψi ) . (44)

In Eq. (44) the ψi ’s, i = 1, 2, ... represent the matter fields. By using the matter action (44), we now introduce the
action for the gravitational field with matter sources as
1 √
Z
S = 2 d4 x −gF (R, φ) + Smatter eφ gµν , ψi ,


(45)
2κ
where F (R, φ) is an algebraic function of R and of the scalar field φ. Then by the variation of the action with respect
to φ, we obtain first
1 1
Fφ (R, φ) + Tφ = 0 , (46)
2κ2 2
where we denoted Fφ (R, φ) ≡ ∂F (, φ)/∂φ and

Tφ ≡ e−φ g µν Tφ µν , Tφ µν ≡ Tµν |gµν →eφ gµν , (47)

respectively. The stress-energy tensor of matter is defined, as usual, by

2 δSmatter (gρσ , ψi )
Tµν ≡ − √ . (48)
−g δgµν
 8

By the assumption that F (R, φ) is an algebraic function of R and φ, Eq. (46) can be algebraically solved with respect
to φ. Thus we can obtain φ as a function of R and Tφ , i.e., φ = φ (R, Tφ ). Then by substituting the expression of φ
into the action (45), we obtain an example of F (R, Tφ ) gravity, with the following action

1 √
Z
S = 2 d4 x −gF̃ (R, Tφ ) + Smatter eφ gµν , ψi ,


(49)
2κ
where we have denoted

F̃ (R, Tφ ) ≡ F [R, φ (R, Tφ )] . (50)

With the use of the conformal Weyl transformation gµν → e−φ gµν , the action (45) or (49) is transformed as

4 √
  
1 3
Z
−2φ σ φ
S = d x −ge F R + 3φ − ∂σ φ∂ φ e , φ + Smatter (gµν , ψi )
2κ2 2
√
  
1 3
Z
4 σ φ
= 2 d x −gF̃ R + 3φ − ∂σ φ∂ φ e , T + Smatter (gµν , ψi ) , (51)
2κ 2

with T ≡ g µν Tµν . In the action Smatter (gµν , ψi ) in Eq. (51), the matter fields have only a minimal coupling with
gravity, and they do not couple with φ. Then the frame in the action (51) might be regarded as a physical frame.

Example of f R, T φ scalar field gravity, and reconstruction

B.

As an example of f R, T φ gravity of the form R+f T φ , we consider the case of a scalar field with a self-interaction



potential V (φ). The action is given by

4 √
 
1
Z
φ µ
S = d x −g − ω(φ)∂µ φ∂ φ − V (φ) , (52)
2

where we have included ω(φ) for later convenience. For the scalar field model described by Eq. (52), the trace of the
stress-energy tensor is given by

T φ = −ω(φ)∂µ φ∂ µ φ − 4V (φ) . (53)

Consequently we may define the f R, T φ = R + f T φ gravity model in the following form:

√
 
1 1
Z
S = d4 x −g R + f (T φ
) − ω(φ)∂µ φ∂ µ
φ − V (φ) . (54)
2κ2 2

For the model (54), in a flat Friedman-Robertson-Walker geometry, the Friedman equations have the following form:
3 2 1 2
h
2
i h
2
i
H = ω(φ)φ̇ + V (φ) − f ω(φ)φ̇ − 4V (φ) + 2f ′
ω(φ)φ̇ − 4V (φ) ω(φ)φ̇2 , (55)
κ2 2
1   1 h i
− 2 3H 2 + 2Ḣ = ω(φ)φ̇2 − V (φ) + f ω(φ)φ̇2 − 4V (φ) , (56)
κ 2
where H = ȧ/a.
In the following, we consider, for simplicity, the case V (φ) = 0. Then the action (54) has the following form:

√
 
1
Z
S = d4 x −g R + F [−ω(φ)∂µ φ∂ µ
φ] , (57)
2κ2

and the Friedman equations (55) and (56) take the form,
3 2 h
2
i h
2
i
H = −F ω(φ)φ̇ + 2F ′
ω(φ)φ̇ ω(φ)φ̇2 , (58)
κ2
1   h i
− 2 3H 2 + 2Ḣ = F ω(φ)φ̇2 . (59)
κ
 9

In the action (57), F [−ω(φ)∂µ φ∂ µ φ] is defined by

1
F [−ω(φ)∂µ φ∂ µ φ] ≡ f [−ω(φ)∂µ φ∂ µ φ] − ω(φ)∂µ φ∂ µ φ . (60)
2
The action (57) gives a model of k-essence [29–31]. In [32], it has been shown that the Friedmann equations (58) and
(59) do not admit the de Sitter solution, except in the trivial case where φ is a constant, and F (0) > 0. In [32], the
formalism of the general reconstruction has also been explicitly given. An explicit model of modified gravity in which
a crossing of the phantom divide can be realized was reconstructed in [33].
As a simple example, we consider the model
 
φ
−2 ln ∂µ φ∂ µ φ
F [−ω(φ)∂µ φ∂ µ φ] = −F0 e φ0
, (61)

where F0 and φ0 are constants. The Friedman equations have a solution where the universe expands by a power law,
h0
H= , φ = t. (62)
t
The constant h0 can be obtained by solving the following algebraic equation

3h20 − 2h0 = κ2 φ20 F0 . (63)

V. THE EQUATION OF MOTION OF TEST PARTICLES AND THE NEWTONIAN LIMIT IN f (R, T )
GRAVITY

Since in the general f (R, T ) type gravity models the stress-energy tensor of matter is not covariantly conserved, it
follows that the test particles, moving in a gravitational field, do not follow geodesic lines. This situation is similar
to the case of the f (R, Lm) models [24], where the coupling between matter and geometry induces a supplementary
acceleration acting on the particle. In the present Section, we derive the equations of motion of test particles in
f (R, T ) gravity models, and obtain the Newtonian limit of the theory. We also investigate the constraints on the
magnitude of the extra-acceleration that can be obtained from the available observational data on the perihelion
precession of the planet Mercury.

A. The equations of motion of test particles

In the case of a perfect fluid, with the stress-energy tensor given by Eq. (20), the divergence of the stress-energy
tensor is given by
1
∇µ Tµν = − {Tµν ∇µ fT (R, T ) + gµν ∇µ [fT (R, T ) p]} . (64)
8π + fT (R, T )

We also introduce the projection operator hµλ = gµλ − uµ uλ for which we have hµλ uµ = 0 and hµλ T µν = −hνλ p,
respectively.
Explicitly, Eq. (64) can be written in the form

∇ν (ρ + p) uµ uν + (ρ + p) [uν ∇ν uµ + uµ ∇ν uν ] − g µν ∇ν p
1
=− {T µν ∇ν fT (R, T ) + g µν ∇ν [fT (R, T ) p]} . (65)
8π + fT (R, T )

By contracting Eq. (65) with hµλ we obtain

∇ν p
gµλ uν ∇ν uµ = 8π hν . (66)
(ρ + p) [8π + fT (R, T )] λ

After multiplying with g αλ and by taking into account the identity

d2 xµ
uν ∇ν uµ = + Γµνλ uν uλ , (67)
ds2
 10

we obtain the equation of motion of a test fluid in f (R, T ) gravity as

d2 xµ
+ Γµνλ uν uλ = f µ , (68)
ds2
where
∇ν p
f µ = 8π (g µν − uµ uν ) . (69)
(ρ + p) [8π + fT (R, T )]
The extra-force f µ is perpendicular to the four-velocity, f µ uµ = 0. When fT (R, T ) = 0, we re-obtain the equation of
motion of perfect fluids with pressure in standard general relativity, which follow from the conservation of the energy-
momentum tensor, ∇µ Tνµ = 0 [34]. In the limit p → 0, corresponding to a pressureless fluid (dust), in standard
general relativity the motion of the test particles becomes geodesic. The same result holds true in the f (R, T ) gravity
model. Even if fT (R, T ) 6= 0, the motion of the dust particles always follows the geodesic lines
√ of the geometry. By
assuming that the term 8π∇ν p/ (ρ + p) [8π + fT (R, T )] can be formally represented as ∇ν ln Q,
∇ν p p
8π = ∇ν ln Q , (70)
(ρ + p) [8π + fT (R, T )]
the equation of motion Eq. (68) can be obtained from the variational principle
Z Z p
p
δSp = δ Lp ds = δ Q gµν uµ uν ds = 0 , (71)
√ √
where Sp and Lp = Q gµν uµ uν are the action and the Lagrangian density for the test particles, respectively.
To prove this result we start with the Lagrange equations corresponding to the action (71),
 
d ∂Lp ∂Lp
− = 0. (72)
ds ∂uλ ∂xλ
Since
∂Lp p
= Quλ (73)
∂uλ
and
∂Lp 1p 1 Q,λ
λ
= Qgµν,λ uµ uν + , (74)
∂x 2 2 Q
a straightforward calculation gives the equations of motion of the particle as
d2 xµ µ ν λ µ ν µν
p
+ Γ νλ u u + (u u − g ) ∇ν ln Q = 0. (75)
ds2
√
When Q → 1 we re-obtain the standard general relativistic equation for geodesic motion.
As an example of the application of the previous formalism we consider the case in which the pressure can be
expressed as a function of the density by a linear barotropic equation of state of the form p = wρ, where the constant
w satisfies the condition w ≪ 1. Therefore ρ + p ≈ ρ and T = ρ − 3p ≈ ρ, respectively. Moreover, for simplicity,
we also assume that the function fT is a function of T ≈ ρ only. We can expand fT near a fixed value ρ0 of the
density, so that fT (ρ) = fT (ρ0 ) + (ρ − ρ0 ) [dfT /dρ) /dρ] |ρ=ρ0 = 8π [a √0 + b0 (ρ − ρ0 )], where a0 = fT (ρ0 ) /8π and
b0 = [dfT /dρ) /dρ] |ρ=ρ0 /8π, respectively. Eq. (70) of the definition of Q becomes
w ρ p
∇ν ln = ∇ν ln Q , (76)
1 + a 0 − b 0 ρ0 1 + a0 + b0 (ρ − ρ0 )
giving
 w/(1+a0 −b0 ρ0 )
p Cρ
Q (ρ) ≈ , (77)
1 + a0 + b0 (ρ − ρ0 )
where C is an arbitrary constant of integration. Eq. (70) is also valid for a fluid satisfying a linear barotropic equation
of
√ state of 8π(γ−1)/γ(8π+f
the form p = (γ − 1) ρ, γ = constant, and for a model with fT (R, T ) = constant = fT . In this case
T)
Q = CT ρ , where CT is an arbitrary integration constant. Therefore Eq. (70) is valid in both the
non-relativistic
√ and the extreme relativistic limits of the model. On the other hand we have to mention that the
function Q can always be obtained by formally integrating the left-hand side of Eq. (70). However, generally this
function cannot be expressed in an exact analytical form, and to find its functional form approximate methods have
to be used.
 11

B. The Newtonian limit

The variational principle (71) and the pressureless dust model, described by Eqs. (76) and (77), can be used to
study the Newtonian limit of the model. In the limit of the weak gravitational fields,
p
ds ≈ 1 + 2φ − ~v 2 dt ≈ 1 + φ − ~v 2 /2 dt ,


(78)

where φ is the Newtonian potential and ~v is the usual

√ tridimensional velocity of the fluid. By using the relation
xα = exp(α ln x) ≈ 1 + α ln x, we can approximate Q (ρ) given by Eq. (77) as
 
p w Cρ
Q (ρ) ≈ 1 + ln = 1 + U (ρ) , (79)
(1 + a0 − b0 ρ0 ) 1 + a0 + b0 (ρ − ρ0 )

where we have denoted

 
w Cρ
U (ρ) = ln . (80)
(1 + a0 − b0 ρ0 ) 1 + a0 + b0 (ρ − ρ0 )

In the first order of approximation the equations of motion of the fluid can be derived from the variational principle

~v 2
Z  
δ 1 + U (ρ) + φ − dt = 0 , (81)
2

and are given by

~a = −∇φ − ∇U (ρ) = ~aN + ~ap + ~aE , (82)

where ~a is the total acceleration of the system, ~aN = −∇φ is the Newtonian gravitational acceleration and
C 1 1
~ap = − ∇p = − ∇p, (83)
1 + a 0 − b 0 ρ0 ρ ρ

is the hydrodynamical acceleration. Eq. (83) also allows us to fix the value of the arbitrary integration constant C as
C = 1 + a0 − b0 ρ0 . Finally,
b0 ∇p
~aE (ρ, p) = , (84)
1 + a0 − b0 ρ0 1 + a0 + b0 (ρ − ρ0 )

is a supplementary acceleration induced due to the modification of the action of the gravitational field.

C. The precession of the perihelion of Mercury

An estimation of the effect of the extra-force, generated by the coupling between matter and geometry, on the orbital
parameters of the motion of the planets around the Sun can be obtained in a simple way by using the properties of
the Runge-Lenz vector, defined as A ~ = ~v ×L ~ − α~er , where ~v is the velocity relative to the Sun, with mass M⊙ , of a
planet of mass m, ~r = r~er is the two-body position vector, p~ = µ~v is the relative momentum, µ = mM⊙ / (m + M⊙ )
is the reduced mass, L ~ = ~r ×~ p = µr2 θ̇~k is the angular momentum, and α = GmM⊙ [35]. For
an elliptical orbit of
eccentricity e, major semi-axis a, and period T , the equation of the orbit is given by L2 /µα r−1 = 1 + e cos θ. The
Runge-Lenz vector can be expressed as
!
~2
L
A~= − α ~er − ṙL~eθ , (85)
µr

and its derivative with respect to the polar angle θ is given by

~
dA
 
2 dV (r) α
=r − 2 ~eθ , (86)
dθ dr r
 12

where V (r) is the potential of the central force [35]. The potential term consists of the Post-Newtonian potential,
VP N (r) = −α/r − 3α2 /mr2 , plus the contribution from the general coupling between matter and geometry. Thus we
have

dA~ 
α2

2
= r 6 3 + m~aE (r) ~eθ , (87)
dθ mr

where we have also assumed that µ ≈ m. The change in direction ∆φ of the perihelion with a change of θ of 2π is
R 2π ˙
obtained as ∆φ = (1/αe) 0 L ~ × dA/dθ
~ dθ, and it is given by
h i
−1
2 3/2 Z 2π aE L2 (1 + e cos θ) /mα


 a 2 1 L 1 − e
∆φ = 24π 3 + 3 cos θdθ , (88)
T 1 − e2 8π me (a/T )3 0 (1 + e cos θ)
2

√
where we have used the relation α/L = 2π (a/T ) / 1 − e2 . The first term of this equation corresponds to the standard
general relativistic precession of the perihelion of the planets, while the second term gives the contribution to the
perihelion precession due to the presence of the coupling between matter and geometry.
As an example of the application of Eq. (88) we consider the case for which the extra-force may be considered as
a constant, aE ≈ constant, an approximation that could be valid for small regions of spacetime. In the Newtonian
limit the extra-acceleration generated by the coupling between matter and geometry can be expressed in a similar
form [19]. With the use of Eq. (88) one finds for the perihelion precession the expression
√
6πGM⊙ 2πa2 1 − e2
∆φ = + aE , (89)
a (1 − e2 ) GM⊙

where we have also used Kepler’s third law, T 2 = 4π 2 a3 /GM⊙ . For the planet Mercury a = 57.91 × 1011 cm, and
e = 0.205615, respectively, while M⊙ = 1.989 × 1033 g. With these numerical values the first term in Eq. (89)
gives the standard general relativistic value for the precession angle, (∆φ)GR = 42.962 arcsec per century, while
the observed value of the precession is (∆φ)obs = 43.11 ± 0.21 arcsec per century [36]. Therefore the difference
(∆φ)E = (∆φ)obs − (∆φ)GR = 0.17 arcsec per century can be attributed to other physical effects. Hence the
observational constraints requires that the value of the constant aE must satisfy the condition aE ≤ 1.28 × 10−9
cm/s2 .

VI. DISCUSSIONS AND FINAL REMARKS

In the present paper we have considered a generalized gravity model with an arbitrary coupling between matter
(described by the trace of the stress-energy tensor) and geometry, with the Lagrangian given by an arbitrary function
of T and of the Ricci scalar. We have derived the gravitational field equations corresponding to this model, and
considered several particular cases that may be relevant in explaining some of the open problems of cosmology and
astrophysics. The new matter and time dependent terms in the gravitational field equations play the role of an effective
cosmological constant. We have also demonstrated the possibility of reconstruction of arbitrary FRW cosmologies by
an appropriate choice of a function f (T ). The equations of motion corresponding to this model show the presence
of an extra-force acting on test particles, and the motion is generally non-geodesic. We have obtained, by using the
perihelion precession of Mercury, an upper limit on the magnitude of the extra-acceleration in the Solar System. This
value of aE , obtained from the solar system observations, is somewhat smaller than the value of the extra-acceleration
aE ≈ 10−8 cm/s2 , necessary to explain the “dark matter” properties, as well as the Pioneer anomaly [19, 37, 38].
However, it does not rule out the possibility of the presence of some extra gravitational effects acting at both the solar
system and galactic levels, since the assumption of a constant extra-force may not be correct on larger astronomical
scales.
Therefore the predictions of the f (R, T ) gravity model could lead to some major differences, as compared to the
predictions of standard general relativity, or other generalized gravity models, in several problems of current interest,
such as cosmology, gravitational collapse or the generation of gravitational waves. The study of these phenomena
may also provide some specific signatures and effects, which could distinguish and discriminate between the various
gravitational models. In order to explore in more detail the connections between the f (R, T ) gravity model and the
cosmological evolution, some explicit physical models are necessary to be built. This will be done in forthcoming
work.
 13

Acknowledgments

The work of TH was supported by an GRF grant of the government of the Hong Kong SAR. FSNL acknowl-
edges financial support of the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia through the grants PTDC/FIS/102742/2008,
CERN/FP/109381/2009 and CERN/FP/116398/2010. This research was also supported in part by MEC (Spain)
project FIS2006-02842 and AGAUR(Catalonia) 2009SGR-994 (SDO), by Global COE Program of Nagoya University
(G07) provided by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology and by the JSPS Grant-in-Aid
for Scientific Research (S) # 22224003 (SN).

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