Classification of shift-symmetric Horndeski theories and hairy black holes

Abstract

No-hair theorems for scalar-tensor theories imply that the trivial scalar field configuration is the unique configuration around stationary black hole spacetimes. The most basic assumption in these theorems is that a constant scalar configuration is actually admissible. In this paper, we classify shift-symmetric Horndeski theories according to whether or not they admit the trivial scalar configuration as a solution and under which conditions. Local Lorentz symmetry and the presence of a linear coupling between the scalar field and Gauss-Bonnet invariant plays feature prominently in this classification. We then use the classification to show that any theory without linear Gauss-Bonnet coupling that respects local Lorentz symmetry admits all solutions of general relativity. We also study the scalar hair configuration around black hole spacetimes in theories where the linear Gauss-Bonnet coupling is present. We show that the scalar hair of the configuration is secondary, fixed by the regularity of the horizon, and is determined by the black hole horizon properties.