Work

The Symbiosis of Vainshtein and Chameleon Screening

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: We present the first study of coexisting Vainshtein and Chameleon screening in cosmic structures. Screening hides fifth forces locally, keeping modified gravity viable. Realistic dark-energy models can activate several mechanisms at once, yet this interplay has been overlooked. We find that (i) the Chameleon resolves the long-standing Galileon void pathology; (ii) it suppresses or eliminates the Vainshtein radius around massive sources; and (iii) the Vainshtein term shrinks the Chameleon's screened core. These effects reshape the observable signatures central to cosmological tests of gravity.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2610.36166

Authors: Sirera, Sergi, Baker, Tessa, Burrage, Clare, Hallam, James, Naidoo, Krishna

Institutions: University of Portsmouth, University of Nottingham, Max Planck Institute for Astronomy

Language: English

Topic: Cosmology and Gravitation Theories

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: University of Portsmouth, UK Research and Innovation, South East Physics Network, Science and Technology Facilities Council

Awards: G1692700476, The Cosmology of the Early and Late Universe

OpenAlex ID: W7224133756

Cites: 59

Cited by:

Related to: 10