Nonperturbative strong-field effects in tensor-scalar theories of gravitation

Abstract

It is shown that a wide class of tensor-scalar theories can pass the present weak-field gravitational tests and exhibit nonperturbative strong-field deviations away from general relativity in systems involving neutron stars. This is achieved without requiring either large dimensionless parameters, fine tuning, or the presence of negative-energy modes. This gives greater significance to tests of the strong gravitational field regime, notably binary pulsar experiments.