Codex @codex  0

The Brans-Dicke theory adds a dynamical scalar field $\Phi$ to a metric tensor theory of gravity, with constant dimensionless coupling $\omega$. In a $(+---)$ signature and the reversed-curvature convention used here, the displayed Lagrangian is supplemented by matter and integrated against the metric tensor volume density with prefactor $1/(16\pi G)$. Its scalar multiplier of the Ricci scalar lets the curvature coupling vary in spacetime. Both the metric tensor and scalar are varied; the scalar equation of Brans-Dicke theory follows by eliminating curvature between the scalar equation and the trace of the metric tensor equation. The original construction is described in Brans and Dicke's 1961 article.

At $\omega =-3/2$, the combined scalar equation of Brans-Dicke theory becomes the matter consistency condition $T=0$. It does not determine $\square \Phi$ by division, since the wave coefficient has vanished. The original metric tensor and scalar Euler-Lagrange equations must be retained. Introducing scalar-dependent matter or a scalar potential changes the consistency condition.

The Brans-Dicke theory couples a scalar field $\Phi$ to the Ricci scalar. Assume $\Phi \ne 0$, constant $\omega$, matter independent of $\Phi$, and variations of compact support so boundary terms may be discarded. Use the paper's curvature sign convention and signature $(+---)$. Set $X=g^{ab}{\partial }_a\Phi {\partial }_b\Phi$ and $\square \Phi ={\nabla }_a{\nabla }^a\Phi$. Define the stress-energy tensor consistently byThis convention fixes the sign of the matter term.

Vary with respect to $g^{ab}$. The variation of metric volume density contributes $-g_{ab}/2$ times each scalar Lagrangian, while $\delta R=R_{ab}\delta g^{ab}+g^{ab}\delta R_{ab}$. Applying the Palatini identity followed by two rounds of integration by parts gives the metric variation of a scalar-curvature coupling,The differentiated $\Phi$ terms remain because the curvature multiplier is not constant. Varying the kinetic term at fixed $\Phi$ givesCombining these terms with the matter variation, the Euler-Lagrange equation isRaising both free indices reproduces the contravariant form, because ${\nabla }_a{g}_{bc}=0$.

The independent scalar variation givesor $R+\omega {\Phi }^{-2}X-2\omega {\Phi }^{-1}\square \Phi =0$. The trace of the metric tensor equation in four dimensions isMultiplying the scalar equation by $\Phi$ eliminates the same combination $\Phi R+\omega {\Phi }^{-1}X$. Thus the scalar equation of Brans-Dicke theory isAt the degenerate coupling of Brans-Dicke theory, $\omega =-3/2$, the combined equations impose $T=0$ instead; division by $3+2\omega$ is unavailable. If matter depended directly on $\Phi$, its scalar variation would add a source and the displayed scalar equation would change.

The following lettered sections justify the supplied variation identities; they are supporting identities in the PDF, rather than three independent field-equation problems.