On Shapiro time delay in massive scalar-tensor theories

Abstract

The problem of determining the post-Newtonian parameter $\gamma$ in massive scalar-tensor theories is considered. We demonstrate equivalent correspondence between the post-Newtonian parameter $\gamma$ and the parameter appearing in the equation of null geodysic in massive scalar-tensor theories. We show that massive scalar-tensor theories can be distinguished from general relativity based on the predictions of Shapiro time delay. All calculations are presented using hybrid metric-Palatini f(R)-gravity as an example. The expression for Shapiro time delay in hybrid f(R)-gravity is obtained for the first time.