Weyl-invariant gravity and the nature of dark matter. (18th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shimon, Meir
• Is Part Of: Classical and quantum gravity. Volume 38:Number 8(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03-18
• Subjects: Weyl invariance -- gravitation -- dark matter; Quantum gravity -- Periodicals; Gravitation -- Periodicals; Relativity (Physics) -- Periodicals; Space and time -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 521.1
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6382/abeae5
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-9381

Abstract

Abstract: The apparent missing mass in Galaxies and Galaxy clusters, commonly viewed as evidence for dark matter, could possibly originate from gradients in the gravitational coupling parameter, G, and active gravitational mass, M act, rather than hypothetical beyond-the-standard-model particles. We argue that in (the weak field limit of) a Weyl-invariant extension of general relativity, one can simply affect the change Φb ( x ) → Φb ( x ) + ΦDM ( x ), where Φb is the baryon-sourced potential and ΦDM is the 'excess' potential. This is compensated by gradients of GM act and a fractional increase of O (−4ΦDM ( x )) in the baryon density, well below current detection thresholds on all relevant scales.