Gravitational waves in the modified gravity

Abstract

We have taken a modified version of the Einstein Hilbert action, $ f(R, T^\phi) $ gravity under consideration, where $T^\phi$ is the energy-momentum tensor trace for the scalar field under consideration. The structural behaviour of the scalar field considered varies with the form of the potential. The number of polarization modes of gravitational waves in modified theories has been studied extensively for the corresponding fields. There are two additional scalar modes, in addition to the usual two transverse-traceless tensor modes found in general relativity: a massive longitudinal mode and a massless transverse mode (the breathing mode).