The Scalar-Tensor Theory of Gravitation
The scalar-tensor theory of gravitation is one of the most popular alternatives to Einstein's theory of gravitation. This book provides a clear and concise introduction to the theoretical ideas and developments, exploring scalar fields and placing them in context with a discussion of Brans-Dicke theory. Topics covered include the cosmological constant problem, time variability of coupling constants, higher dimensional space-time, branes and conformal transformations. The authors emphasize the physical applications of the scalar-tensor theory and thus provide a pedagogical overview of the subject, keeping more mathematically detailed sections for the appendices. This book is suitable for graduate courses in cosmology, gravitation and relativity. It will also provide a valuable reference for researchers.
- The scalar-tensor theory is one of the most popular alternative theories of gravitation
- Covers developments in the field and emphasizes the physical applications of the theory
- Pedagogical: explains the physical principles and consequences while keeping the mathematics at a simple level
Reviews & endorsements
"...a pleasant book, easy to read, and for this reviewer it is pedagogical enough to be considered also as a very useful textbook for graduate courses in cosmology, gravitation and relativity." Mathematical Reviews
Product details
September 2007Paperback
9780521037525
260 pages
244 × 170 × 14 mm
0.42kg
30 b/w illus. 2 tables
Available
Table of Contents
- Preface
- Conventions and notation
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The prototype Brans-Dicke model
- 3. Conformal transformation
- 4. Cosmology with Λ
- 5. Models of an accelerating universe
- 6. Quantum effects
- Appendices
- References
- Index.