Extension of Scalar-tensor Theories and Spatially Covariant Gravity

Abstract

In order to explain the accelerated expansion of our universe in its early stage and today, the most popular approach is to introduce a scalar field to drive the inflation or to act as dark energy. This is the so-called scalar-tensor theory of gravity. In this talk, the speaker will first review the development of the scalar-tensor theories with higher derivatives in recent years. Then he will introduce the idea of constructing gravity theories respecting only the spatial symmetry, which propagate a single scalar degree of freedom and thus correspond to even a larger class of healthy scalar-tensor theories with higher derivatives. Finally, he will also discuss the propagation of gravitational waves in the framework.

About the program

For more information, please refer to the program website at http://iasprogram.ust.hk/particle_theory.