Alvaro de la Cruz-Dombriz | Universidad Complutense de Madrid (original) (raw)

Papers by Alvaro de la Cruz-Dombriz

Physical Review D

We present the ghost-free infinite-derivative extensions of the Spherically-Reduced Gravity (SRG)... more We present the ghost-free infinite-derivative extensions of the Spherically-Reduced Gravity (SRG) and Callan-Giddings-Harvey-Strominger (CGHS) theories in two space-time dimensions. For the case of SRG, we specify the Schwarzschild-type gauge and diagonalise the quadratic action for field perturbations after taking the background fields to be those of the flat-space solution with a linear dilaton. Using the obtained diagonalisation, we construct ghost-free infinite-derivative modifications of the SRG theory. In the context of this modified SRG theory we derive a non-local modification of the linearised spherically-reduced Schwarzschild solution. For the case of CGHS gravity, we work in the conformal gauge and diagonalise the quadratic action associated with this theory for a general background solution. Using these results, we construct the ghost-free infinite-derivative modifications of the CGHS theory and examine non-local modifications to the linearised CGHS black-hole solution.

We study a quintessence model for which the scalar field is disformally coupled to dark matter. T... more We study a quintessence model for which the scalar field is disformally coupled to dark matter. The background mimics the ΛCDM cosmological evolution and the quintessence potential is not specified. A disformal effect due to the quintessential mass is seen in the growth rate of the cosmological structure on large scales. The disformal parameter renders no appreciable effect on the evolution of the total matter perturbation. An analysis of the conformal parameter and quintessential mass is investigated using the Redshift Space Distortion data to find the best-fit values that might explain the well-known σ8 tension. The best fit of the parameters indicates that the RSD data prefers the model to behave conformally. ar X iv :2 11 2. 04 73 6v 1 [ gr -q c] 9 D ec 2 02 1

Álvaro de la Cruz Dombriz, 2 Francisco José Maldonado Torralba, 3 and David F. Mota Departamento ... more Álvaro de la Cruz Dombriz, 2 Francisco José Maldonado Torralba, 3 and David F. Mota Departamento de F́ısica Fundamental, Universidad de Salamanca, E-37008 Salamanca, Spain Cosmology and Gravity Group, Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1029 Blindern, N-0315 Oslo, Norway (Dated: December 9, 2021)

Gravitational collapse is still poorly understood in the context of f(R) theories of gravity, sin... more Gravitational collapse is still poorly understood in the context of f(R) theories of gravity, since the Oppenheimer-Snyder model is incompatible with their junction conditions. In this work, we will present a systematic approach to the problem. Starting with a thorough analysis of how the Oppenheimer-Snyder construction should be generalised to fit within metric f(R) gravity, we shall subsequently proceed to explore the existence of novel exterior solutions compatible with physically viable interiors. Our formalism has allowed us to show that some paradigmatic vacuum metrics cannot represent spacetime outside a collapsing dust star in metric f(R) gravity. Moreover, using the junction conditions, we have found a novel vacuole solution of a large class of f(R) models, whose exterior spacetime is documented here for the first time in the literature as well. Finally, we also report the previously unnoticed fact that the Oppenheimer-Snyder model of gravitational collapse is incompatible ...

The onset of dark energy domination depends on the particular gravitational theory driving the co... more The onset of dark energy domination depends on the particular gravitational theory driving the cosmic evolution. Model independent techniques are crucial to test both the present ΛCDM cosmological paradigm and alternative theories, making the least possible number of assumptions about the Universe. In this paper we investigate whether cosmography is able to distinguish between different gravitational theories, by determining bounds on model parameters for three different extensions of General Relativity, i.e. k-essence, F(T) and f(R) theories. We expand each class of theories in powers of redshift z around the present time, making no additional assumptions. This procedure is an extension of previous work and can be seen as the most general approach for testing extended theories of gravity with cosmography. In the case of F(T) and f(R) theories, we show that some assumptions on model parameters often made in previous works are superfluous or unjustified. We use data from the Union2.1...

We discuss the soundness of inflationary scenarios in theories beyond the Starobinsky model, name... more We discuss the soundness of inflationary scenarios in theories beyond the Starobinsky model, namely a class of theories described by arbitrary functions of the Ricci scalar and the K-essence field. We discuss the pathologies associated with higher-order equations of motion which will be shown to constrain the stability of this class of theories. We provide a general framework to calculate the slow-roll parameters and the corresponding mappings to the theory parameters. For paradigmatic gravitational models within the class of theories under consideration we illustrate the power of the Planck/Bicep2 latest results to constrain such gravitational Lagrangians. Finally, bounds for potential deviations from Starobinsky-like inflation are derived.

The cosmographic approach, which only relies upon the homogeneity and isotropy of the Universe on... more The cosmographic approach, which only relies upon the homogeneity and isotropy of the Universe on large scales, has become an essential tool in dealing with an increasing number of theoretical possibilities for explaining the late-time acceleration of the Universe, ranging from Modified Gravity theories to Dark Energy alternatives passing from testing the cosmological concordance Lambda-CDM model. Despite its generality, we show that this method has a number of shortcomings when trying to adequately reconstruct theories with higher-order derivatives in either the gravitational or the matter sector. Herein some paradigmatic examples of such an inability, explanations of the limitations and prospective cures will be presented.

We present a novel approach to establish the Birkhoff's theorem validity in the so-called qua... more We present a novel approach to establish the Birkhoff's theorem validity in the so-called quadratic Poincar\'e Gauge theories of gravity. By obtaining the field equations via the Palatini formalism, we find paradigmatic scenarios where the theorem applies neatly. For more general and physically relevant situations, a suitable decomposition of the torsion tensor also allows us to establish the validity of the theorem. Our analysis shows rigorously how for all stable cases under consideration, the only solution of the vacuum field equations is a torsionless Schwarzschild spacetime, although it is possible to find non-Schwarzschild metrics in the realm of unstable Lagrangians. Finally, we study the weakened formulation of the Birkhoff's theorem where an asymptotically flat metric is assumed, showing that the theorem also holds.

In the context of scalar-tensor theories we study the evolution of the density contrast for Jorda... more In the context of scalar-tensor theories we study the evolution of the density contrast for Jordan-Fierz-Brans-Dicke theories in a Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker Universe. Calculations are performed in the Einstein Frame with the cosmological background described as Lambda-Cold Dark Matter (Lambda-CDM) and supplemented by a Jordan-Fierz-Brans-Dicke field. By using a completely general procedure valid for all scalar-tensor theories, we obtain the exact fourth-order differential equation for the density contrast evolution in modes of arbitrary size. In the case of sub-Hubble modes, the expression reduces to a simpler but still fourth-order equation that is then compared with the standard (quasistatic) approximation. Differences with respect to the evolution as predicted by the standard Concordance Lambda-CDM model are observed depending on the value of the coupling.

In the present article we study the Inverse Electrodynamics Model. This model is a gauge and pari... more In the present article we study the Inverse Electrodynamics Model. This model is a gauge and parity invariant non-linear Electrodynamics theory, which respects the conformal invariance of standard Electrodynamics. This modified Electrodynamics model, when minimally coupled to General Relativity, is compatible with static and spherically symmetric Reissner-Nordstrom-like black-hole solutions. However, these black-hole solutions present more complex thermodynamic properties than their Reissner-Nordstrom black-hole solutions counterparts in standard Electrodynamics. In particular, in the Inverse Model a new stability region, with both the heat capacity and the free energy negative, arises. Moreover, unlike the scenario in standard Electrodynamics, a sole transition phase is possible for a suitable choice in the set of parameters of these solutions.

Over the last few years much attention has been given to the study of modified gravity theories i... more Over the last few years much attention has been given to the study of modified gravity theories in order to find a more natural explanation for the late time acceleration of the Universe. Nevertheless, a comparison of the matter power spectrum predictions made by these theories with available data has not yet been subjected to a detailed analysis. In the context of f(R) theories of gravity we study the predicted power spectra using both a dynamical systems approach for the background and solving for the matter perturbations without using the quasi-static approximation, comparing the theoretical results with several SDSS data. The importance of studying the first order perturbed equations by assuming the correct background evolution and the relevance of the initial conditions are also stressed. We determine the statistical significance in relation to the observational data and demonstrate their conflict with existing observations.

In the context of f(R) gravity theories, the issue of finding static and spherically symmetric bl... more In the context of f(R) gravity theories, the issue of finding static and spherically symmetric black hole solutions is addressed. Two approaches to study the existence of such solutions are considered: first, constant curvature solutions, and second, the general case (without imposing constant curvature) is also studied. Performing a perturbative expansion around the Einstein-Hilbert action, it is found that only solutions of the Schwarzschild-(Anti-) de Sitter type are present (up to second order in perturbations) and the explicit expressions for these solutions are provided in terms of the f(R) function. Finally we consider the thermodynamics of black holes in Anti-de Sitter space-time and study their local and global stability.

Branons are new degrees of freedom that appear in flexible brane-world models corresponding to br... more Branons are new degrees of freedom that appear in flexible brane-world models corresponding to brane fluctuations. These new fields can behave as standard weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with a significant associated thermal relic density. We analyze the present constraints from their spontaneous annihilations into photons for EGRET, Fermi-LAT and MAGIC, and the prospects for detection in future Cherenkov telescopes. In particular, we focus on possible signals coming from the Galactic Center and different dwarf spheroidals, such as Draco, Sagittarius, Canis Major and SEGUE 1. We conclude that for those targets, present observations are below the sensitivity limits for branon detection by assuming standard dark matter distributions and no additional boost factors. However, future experiments such as CTA could be able to detect gamma-ray photons coming from the annihilation of branons with masses higher than 150 GeV.

We discuss the consistency of a recently proposed class of theories described by an arbitrary fun... more We discuss the consistency of a recently proposed class of theories described by an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar, the trace of the energy-momentum tensor and the contraction of the Ricci tensor with the energy-momentum tensor. We briefly discuss the limitations of including the energy-momentum tensor in the action, as it is a non fundamental quantity, but a quantity that should be derived from the action. The fact that theories containing non-linear contractions of the Ricci tensor usually leads to the presence of pathologies associated with higher-order equations of motion will be shown to constrain the stability of this class of theories. We provide a general framework and show that the conformal mode for these theories generally has higher-order equations of motion and that non-minimal couplings to the matter fields usually lead to higher-order equations of motion. In order to illustrate such limitations we explicitly study the cases of a canonical scalar field, a K-ess...

In the context of f(R) gravity theories, we show that the apparent mass of a neutron star as seen... more In the context of f(R) gravity theories, we show that the apparent mass of a neutron star as seen from an observer at infinity is numerically calculable but requires careful matching, first at the star's edge, between interior and exterior solutions, none of them being totally Schwarzschild-like but presenting instead small oscillations of the curvature scalar R; and second at large radii, where the Newtonian potential is used to identify the mass of the neutron star. We find that for the same equation of state, this mass definition is always larger than its general relativistic counterpart. We exemplify this with quadratic R^2 and Hu-Sawicki-like modifications of the standard General Relativity action. Therefore, the finding of two-solar mass neutron stars basically imposes no constraint on stable f(R) theories. However, star radii are in general smaller than in General Relativity, which can give an observational handle on such classes of models at the astrophysical level. Both...

In the following work, we compute the positron production from branon dark matter annihilations i... more In the following work, we compute the positron production from branon dark matter annihilations in order to constrain extra-dimensional theories. By having assumed that the positron fraction measured by AMS-02 is well explained just with astrophysical sources, exclusion diagrams for the branon mass and the tension of the brane, the two parameters characterising the branon phenomenology become possible. Our analysis has been performed for a minimal and a medium diffusion model in one extra dimension for both pseudo-isothermal and Navarro Frenck White dark matter haloes. Our constraints in the dark matter mass candidate range between 200 GeV and 100 TeV. Combined with previous cosmological analyses and experimental data in colliders, it allows us to set bounds on the parameter space of branons. In particular, we have discarded regions in the mass-tension diagram up to a branon mass of 28 TeV for the pseudo-Isothermal prole and minimal diffusion, and 63 TeV for the Navarro-Frenck-White...

In the context of extended Teleparallel gravity theories with a 3+1 dimensions Gauss-Bonnet analo... more In the context of extended Teleparallel gravity theories with a 3+1 dimensions Gauss-Bonnet analog term, we address the possibility of these theories reproducing several well-known cosmological bouncing scenarios in a four-dimensional Friedmann-Lema\^itre-Robertson-Walker geometry. We shall study which types of gravitational Lagrangians are capable of reconstructing bouncing solutions provided by analytical expressions for symmetric, oscillatory, superbounce, the matter bounce and singular bounce. Some of the Lagrangians discovered are both analytical at the origin having Minkowski and Schwarzschild as vacuum solutions. All these results open the possibility up for such theories to be competitive candidates of extended theories of gravity in cosmological scales.

In the context of extended Teleparallel gravity theories with a 3+1 dimensions Gauss-Bonnet analo... more In the context of extended Teleparallel gravity theories with a 3+1 dimensions Gauss-Bonnet analog term, we address the possibility of these theories reproducing several well-known cosmological solutions. In particular when applied to a Friedmann-Lema\^itre-Robertson-Walker geometry in four-dimensional spacetime with standard fluids exclusively. We study different types of gravitational Lagrangians and reconstruct solutions provided by analytical expressions for either the cosmological scale factor or the Hubble parameter. We also show that it is possible to find Lagrangians of this type without a cosmological constant such that the behaviour of the LCDM model is precisely mimicked. The new Lagrangians may also lead to other phenomenological consequences opening up the possibility for new theories to compete directly with other extensions of General Relativity.

We study the gravitational collapse in modified gravitational theories. In particular, we analyze... more We study the gravitational collapse in modified gravitational theories. In particular, we analyze a general f(R) model with uniformly collapsing cloud of self-gravitating dust particles. This analysis shares analogies with the formation of large-scale structures in the early Universe and with the formation of stars in a molecular cloud experiencing gravitational collapse. In the same way, this investigation can be used as a first approximation to the modification that stellar objects can suffer in these modified theories of gravity. We study concrete examples, and find that the analysis of gravitational collapse is an important tool to constrain models that present late-time cosmological acceleration.

Along this review, we focus on the study of several properties of modified gravity theories, in p... more Along this review, we focus on the study of several properties of modified gravity theories, in particular on black-hole solutions and its comparison with those solutions in General Relativity, and on Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker metrics. The thermodynamical properties of fourth order gravity theories are also a subject of this investigation with special attention on local and global stability of paradigmatic f(R) models. In addition, we revise some attempts to extend the Cardy-Verlinde formula, including modified gravity, where a relation between entropy bounds is obtained. Moreover, a deep study on cosmological singularities, which appear as a real possibility for some kind of modified gravity theories, is performed, and the validity of the entropy bounds is studied.

Physical Review D

We present the ghost-free infinite-derivative extensions of the Spherically-Reduced Gravity (SRG)... more We present the ghost-free infinite-derivative extensions of the Spherically-Reduced Gravity (SRG) and Callan-Giddings-Harvey-Strominger (CGHS) theories in two space-time dimensions. For the case of SRG, we specify the Schwarzschild-type gauge and diagonalise the quadratic action for field perturbations after taking the background fields to be those of the flat-space solution with a linear dilaton. Using the obtained diagonalisation, we construct ghost-free infinite-derivative modifications of the SRG theory. In the context of this modified SRG theory we derive a non-local modification of the linearised spherically-reduced Schwarzschild solution. For the case of CGHS gravity, we work in the conformal gauge and diagonalise the quadratic action associated with this theory for a general background solution. Using these results, we construct the ghost-free infinite-derivative modifications of the CGHS theory and examine non-local modifications to the linearised CGHS black-hole solution.

We study a quintessence model for which the scalar field is disformally coupled to dark matter. T... more We study a quintessence model for which the scalar field is disformally coupled to dark matter. The background mimics the ΛCDM cosmological evolution and the quintessence potential is not specified. A disformal effect due to the quintessential mass is seen in the growth rate of the cosmological structure on large scales. The disformal parameter renders no appreciable effect on the evolution of the total matter perturbation. An analysis of the conformal parameter and quintessential mass is investigated using the Redshift Space Distortion data to find the best-fit values that might explain the well-known σ8 tension. The best fit of the parameters indicates that the RSD data prefers the model to behave conformally. ar X iv :2 11 2. 04 73 6v 1 [ gr -q c] 9 D ec 2 02 1

Álvaro de la Cruz Dombriz, 2 Francisco José Maldonado Torralba, 3 and David F. Mota Departamento ... more Álvaro de la Cruz Dombriz, 2 Francisco José Maldonado Torralba, 3 and David F. Mota Departamento de F́ısica Fundamental, Universidad de Salamanca, E-37008 Salamanca, Spain Cosmology and Gravity Group, Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1029 Blindern, N-0315 Oslo, Norway (Dated: December 9, 2021)

Gravitational collapse is still poorly understood in the context of f(R) theories of gravity, sin... more Gravitational collapse is still poorly understood in the context of f(R) theories of gravity, since the Oppenheimer-Snyder model is incompatible with their junction conditions. In this work, we will present a systematic approach to the problem. Starting with a thorough analysis of how the Oppenheimer-Snyder construction should be generalised to fit within metric f(R) gravity, we shall subsequently proceed to explore the existence of novel exterior solutions compatible with physically viable interiors. Our formalism has allowed us to show that some paradigmatic vacuum metrics cannot represent spacetime outside a collapsing dust star in metric f(R) gravity. Moreover, using the junction conditions, we have found a novel vacuole solution of a large class of f(R) models, whose exterior spacetime is documented here for the first time in the literature as well. Finally, we also report the previously unnoticed fact that the Oppenheimer-Snyder model of gravitational collapse is incompatible ...

The onset of dark energy domination depends on the particular gravitational theory driving the co... more The onset of dark energy domination depends on the particular gravitational theory driving the cosmic evolution. Model independent techniques are crucial to test both the present ΛCDM cosmological paradigm and alternative theories, making the least possible number of assumptions about the Universe. In this paper we investigate whether cosmography is able to distinguish between different gravitational theories, by determining bounds on model parameters for three different extensions of General Relativity, i.e. k-essence, F(T) and f(R) theories. We expand each class of theories in powers of redshift z around the present time, making no additional assumptions. This procedure is an extension of previous work and can be seen as the most general approach for testing extended theories of gravity with cosmography. In the case of F(T) and f(R) theories, we show that some assumptions on model parameters often made in previous works are superfluous or unjustified. We use data from the Union2.1...

We discuss the soundness of inflationary scenarios in theories beyond the Starobinsky model, name... more We discuss the soundness of inflationary scenarios in theories beyond the Starobinsky model, namely a class of theories described by arbitrary functions of the Ricci scalar and the K-essence field. We discuss the pathologies associated with higher-order equations of motion which will be shown to constrain the stability of this class of theories. We provide a general framework to calculate the slow-roll parameters and the corresponding mappings to the theory parameters. For paradigmatic gravitational models within the class of theories under consideration we illustrate the power of the Planck/Bicep2 latest results to constrain such gravitational Lagrangians. Finally, bounds for potential deviations from Starobinsky-like inflation are derived.

The cosmographic approach, which only relies upon the homogeneity and isotropy of the Universe on... more The cosmographic approach, which only relies upon the homogeneity and isotropy of the Universe on large scales, has become an essential tool in dealing with an increasing number of theoretical possibilities for explaining the late-time acceleration of the Universe, ranging from Modified Gravity theories to Dark Energy alternatives passing from testing the cosmological concordance Lambda-CDM model. Despite its generality, we show that this method has a number of shortcomings when trying to adequately reconstruct theories with higher-order derivatives in either the gravitational or the matter sector. Herein some paradigmatic examples of such an inability, explanations of the limitations and prospective cures will be presented.

We present a novel approach to establish the Birkhoff's theorem validity in the so-called qua... more We present a novel approach to establish the Birkhoff's theorem validity in the so-called quadratic Poincar\'e Gauge theories of gravity. By obtaining the field equations via the Palatini formalism, we find paradigmatic scenarios where the theorem applies neatly. For more general and physically relevant situations, a suitable decomposition of the torsion tensor also allows us to establish the validity of the theorem. Our analysis shows rigorously how for all stable cases under consideration, the only solution of the vacuum field equations is a torsionless Schwarzschild spacetime, although it is possible to find non-Schwarzschild metrics in the realm of unstable Lagrangians. Finally, we study the weakened formulation of the Birkhoff's theorem where an asymptotically flat metric is assumed, showing that the theorem also holds.

In the context of scalar-tensor theories we study the evolution of the density contrast for Jorda... more In the context of scalar-tensor theories we study the evolution of the density contrast for Jordan-Fierz-Brans-Dicke theories in a Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker Universe. Calculations are performed in the Einstein Frame with the cosmological background described as Lambda-Cold Dark Matter (Lambda-CDM) and supplemented by a Jordan-Fierz-Brans-Dicke field. By using a completely general procedure valid for all scalar-tensor theories, we obtain the exact fourth-order differential equation for the density contrast evolution in modes of arbitrary size. In the case of sub-Hubble modes, the expression reduces to a simpler but still fourth-order equation that is then compared with the standard (quasistatic) approximation. Differences with respect to the evolution as predicted by the standard Concordance Lambda-CDM model are observed depending on the value of the coupling.

In the present article we study the Inverse Electrodynamics Model. This model is a gauge and pari... more In the present article we study the Inverse Electrodynamics Model. This model is a gauge and parity invariant non-linear Electrodynamics theory, which respects the conformal invariance of standard Electrodynamics. This modified Electrodynamics model, when minimally coupled to General Relativity, is compatible with static and spherically symmetric Reissner-Nordstrom-like black-hole solutions. However, these black-hole solutions present more complex thermodynamic properties than their Reissner-Nordstrom black-hole solutions counterparts in standard Electrodynamics. In particular, in the Inverse Model a new stability region, with both the heat capacity and the free energy negative, arises. Moreover, unlike the scenario in standard Electrodynamics, a sole transition phase is possible for a suitable choice in the set of parameters of these solutions.

Over the last few years much attention has been given to the study of modified gravity theories i... more Over the last few years much attention has been given to the study of modified gravity theories in order to find a more natural explanation for the late time acceleration of the Universe. Nevertheless, a comparison of the matter power spectrum predictions made by these theories with available data has not yet been subjected to a detailed analysis. In the context of f(R) theories of gravity we study the predicted power spectra using both a dynamical systems approach for the background and solving for the matter perturbations without using the quasi-static approximation, comparing the theoretical results with several SDSS data. The importance of studying the first order perturbed equations by assuming the correct background evolution and the relevance of the initial conditions are also stressed. We determine the statistical significance in relation to the observational data and demonstrate their conflict with existing observations.

In the context of f(R) gravity theories, the issue of finding static and spherically symmetric bl... more In the context of f(R) gravity theories, the issue of finding static and spherically symmetric black hole solutions is addressed. Two approaches to study the existence of such solutions are considered: first, constant curvature solutions, and second, the general case (without imposing constant curvature) is also studied. Performing a perturbative expansion around the Einstein-Hilbert action, it is found that only solutions of the Schwarzschild-(Anti-) de Sitter type are present (up to second order in perturbations) and the explicit expressions for these solutions are provided in terms of the f(R) function. Finally we consider the thermodynamics of black holes in Anti-de Sitter space-time and study their local and global stability.

Branons are new degrees of freedom that appear in flexible brane-world models corresponding to br... more Branons are new degrees of freedom that appear in flexible brane-world models corresponding to brane fluctuations. These new fields can behave as standard weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with a significant associated thermal relic density. We analyze the present constraints from their spontaneous annihilations into photons for EGRET, Fermi-LAT and MAGIC, and the prospects for detection in future Cherenkov telescopes. In particular, we focus on possible signals coming from the Galactic Center and different dwarf spheroidals, such as Draco, Sagittarius, Canis Major and SEGUE 1. We conclude that for those targets, present observations are below the sensitivity limits for branon detection by assuming standard dark matter distributions and no additional boost factors. However, future experiments such as CTA could be able to detect gamma-ray photons coming from the annihilation of branons with masses higher than 150 GeV.

We discuss the consistency of a recently proposed class of theories described by an arbitrary fun... more We discuss the consistency of a recently proposed class of theories described by an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar, the trace of the energy-momentum tensor and the contraction of the Ricci tensor with the energy-momentum tensor. We briefly discuss the limitations of including the energy-momentum tensor in the action, as it is a non fundamental quantity, but a quantity that should be derived from the action. The fact that theories containing non-linear contractions of the Ricci tensor usually leads to the presence of pathologies associated with higher-order equations of motion will be shown to constrain the stability of this class of theories. We provide a general framework and show that the conformal mode for these theories generally has higher-order equations of motion and that non-minimal couplings to the matter fields usually lead to higher-order equations of motion. In order to illustrate such limitations we explicitly study the cases of a canonical scalar field, a K-ess...

In the context of f(R) gravity theories, we show that the apparent mass of a neutron star as seen... more In the context of f(R) gravity theories, we show that the apparent mass of a neutron star as seen from an observer at infinity is numerically calculable but requires careful matching, first at the star's edge, between interior and exterior solutions, none of them being totally Schwarzschild-like but presenting instead small oscillations of the curvature scalar R; and second at large radii, where the Newtonian potential is used to identify the mass of the neutron star. We find that for the same equation of state, this mass definition is always larger than its general relativistic counterpart. We exemplify this with quadratic R^2 and Hu-Sawicki-like modifications of the standard General Relativity action. Therefore, the finding of two-solar mass neutron stars basically imposes no constraint on stable f(R) theories. However, star radii are in general smaller than in General Relativity, which can give an observational handle on such classes of models at the astrophysical level. Both...

In the following work, we compute the positron production from branon dark matter annihilations i... more In the following work, we compute the positron production from branon dark matter annihilations in order to constrain extra-dimensional theories. By having assumed that the positron fraction measured by AMS-02 is well explained just with astrophysical sources, exclusion diagrams for the branon mass and the tension of the brane, the two parameters characterising the branon phenomenology become possible. Our analysis has been performed for a minimal and a medium diffusion model in one extra dimension for both pseudo-isothermal and Navarro Frenck White dark matter haloes. Our constraints in the dark matter mass candidate range between 200 GeV and 100 TeV. Combined with previous cosmological analyses and experimental data in colliders, it allows us to set bounds on the parameter space of branons. In particular, we have discarded regions in the mass-tension diagram up to a branon mass of 28 TeV for the pseudo-Isothermal prole and minimal diffusion, and 63 TeV for the Navarro-Frenck-White...

In the context of extended Teleparallel gravity theories with a 3+1 dimensions Gauss-Bonnet analo... more In the context of extended Teleparallel gravity theories with a 3+1 dimensions Gauss-Bonnet analog term, we address the possibility of these theories reproducing several well-known cosmological bouncing scenarios in a four-dimensional Friedmann-Lema\^itre-Robertson-Walker geometry. We shall study which types of gravitational Lagrangians are capable of reconstructing bouncing solutions provided by analytical expressions for symmetric, oscillatory, superbounce, the matter bounce and singular bounce. Some of the Lagrangians discovered are both analytical at the origin having Minkowski and Schwarzschild as vacuum solutions. All these results open the possibility up for such theories to be competitive candidates of extended theories of gravity in cosmological scales.

In the context of extended Teleparallel gravity theories with a 3+1 dimensions Gauss-Bonnet analo... more In the context of extended Teleparallel gravity theories with a 3+1 dimensions Gauss-Bonnet analog term, we address the possibility of these theories reproducing several well-known cosmological solutions. In particular when applied to a Friedmann-Lema\^itre-Robertson-Walker geometry in four-dimensional spacetime with standard fluids exclusively. We study different types of gravitational Lagrangians and reconstruct solutions provided by analytical expressions for either the cosmological scale factor or the Hubble parameter. We also show that it is possible to find Lagrangians of this type without a cosmological constant such that the behaviour of the LCDM model is precisely mimicked. The new Lagrangians may also lead to other phenomenological consequences opening up the possibility for new theories to compete directly with other extensions of General Relativity.

We study the gravitational collapse in modified gravitational theories. In particular, we analyze... more We study the gravitational collapse in modified gravitational theories. In particular, we analyze a general f(R) model with uniformly collapsing cloud of self-gravitating dust particles. This analysis shares analogies with the formation of large-scale structures in the early Universe and with the formation of stars in a molecular cloud experiencing gravitational collapse. In the same way, this investigation can be used as a first approximation to the modification that stellar objects can suffer in these modified theories of gravity. We study concrete examples, and find that the analysis of gravitational collapse is an important tool to constrain models that present late-time cosmological acceleration.

Along this review, we focus on the study of several properties of modified gravity theories, in p... more Along this review, we focus on the study of several properties of modified gravity theories, in particular on black-hole solutions and its comparison with those solutions in General Relativity, and on Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker metrics. The thermodynamical properties of fourth order gravity theories are also a subject of this investigation with special attention on local and global stability of paradigmatic f(R) models. In addition, we revise some attempts to extend the Cardy-Verlinde formula, including modified gravity, where a relation between entropy bounds is obtained. Moreover, a deep study on cosmological singularities, which appear as a real possibility for some kind of modified gravity theories, is performed, and the validity of the entropy bounds is studied.