Dark Energy and Dark Matter in $f(R)$ Gravity and an Alternative Chameleon Mechanism

Abstract

Metric $f(R)$ gravity theories behave like GR with cosmological constant when $f"(R)$ = 0, and like scalar-tensor theories elsewhere. I investigate the transition from $f"(R) \neq 0$ to $f"(R) = 0$, and show that this theory may offer a way to explain Dark Energy and/or Dark Matter without having to make use of the chameleon mechanism to agree with solar system tests.