Over recent decades, the role of torsion in gravity has been extensively investigated along the main direction of bringing gravity closer to its gauge formulation and incorporating spin in a geometric description. Here we review various torsional constructions, from teleparallel, to Einstein-Cartan, and metric-affine gauge theories, resulting in extending torsional gravity in the paradigm of f (T) gravity, where f (T) is an arbitrary function of the torsion scalar. Based on this theory, we further review the corresponding cosmological and astrophysical applications. In particular, we study cosmological solutions arising from f (T) gravity, both at the background and perturbation levels, in different eras along the cosmic expansion. The f (T) gravity construction can provide a theoretical interpretation of the late-time universe acceleration, alternative to a cosmological constant, and it can easily accommodate with the regular thermal expanding history including the radiation and cold dark matter dominated phases. Furthermore, if one traces back to very early times, for a certain class of f (T) models, a sufficiently long period of inflation can be achieved and hence can be investigated by cosmic microwave background observations-or, alternatively, the Big Bang singularity can be avoided at even earlier moments due to the appearance of non-singular bounces. Various observational constraints, especially the bounds coming from the large-scale structure data in the case of f (T) cosmology, as well as the behavior of gravitational waves, are described in detail. Moreover, the spherically symmetric and black hole solutions of the theory are reviewed. Additionally, we discuss various extensions of the f (T) paradigm. Finally, we consider the relation with other modified gravitational theories, such as those based on curvature, like f (R) gravity, trying to illuminate the subject of which formulation, or combination of formulations, might be more suitable for quantization ventures and cosmological applications.

f(T) teleparallel gravity and cosmology

Over the past decades, the role of torsion in gravity has been extensively investigated along the main direction of bringing gravity closer to its gauge formulation and incorporating spin in a geometric description. Here we review various torsional constructions, from teleparallel, to Einstein-Cartan, and metric-affine gauge theories, resulting in extending torsional gravity in the paradigm of f(T) gravity, where f(T) is an arbitrary function of the torsion scalar. Based on this theory, we further review the corresponding cosmological and astrophysical applications. In particular, we study cosmological solutions arising from f(T) gravity, both at the background and perturbation levels, in different eras along the cosmic expansion. The f(T) gravity construction can provide a theoretical interpretation of the late-time universe acceleration, and it can easily accommodate with the regular thermal expanding history including the radiation and cold dark matter dominated phases. Furthermore, if one traces back to very early times, a sufficiently long period of inflation can be achieved and hence can be investigated by cosmic microwave background observations, or alternatively, the Big Bang singularity can be avoided due to the appearance of non-singular bounces. Various observational constraints, especially the bounds coming from the large-scale structure data in the case of f(T) cosmology, as well as the behavior of gravitational waves, are described in detail. Moreover, the spherically symmetric and black hole solutions of the theory are reviewed. Additionally, we discuss various extensions of the f(T) paradigm. Finally, we consider the relation with other modified gravitational theories, such as those based on curvature, like f(R) gravity, trying to enlighten the subject of which formulation might be more suitable for quantization ventures and cosmological applications.

Teleparallel gravity has significantly increased in popularity in recent decades, bringing attention to Einstein's other theory of gravity. In this Review, we relate this form of geometry to the broader metric-affine approach to forming gravitational theories where we describe a systematic way of constructing consistent teleparallel theories that respect certain physical conditions such as local Lorentz invariance. We first use teleparallel gravity to formulate a teleparallel equivalent of general relativity which is dynamically equivalent to general relativity but which may have different behaviors for other scenarios, such as quantum gravity. After setting this foundation, we describe the plethora of modified teleparallel theories of gravity that have been proposed in the literature. In the second part of the Review, we first survey works in teleparallel astrophysics literature where we focus on the open questions in this regime of physics. We then discuss the cosmological consequences for the various formulations of teleparallel gravity. We do this at background level by exploring works using various approaches ranging from dynamical systems to Noether symmetries, and more. Naturally, we then discuss perturbation theory, firstly by giving a concise approach in which this can be applied in teleparallel gravity theories and then apply it to a number of important theories in the literature. Finally, we examine works in observational and precision cosmology across the plethora of proposal theories. This is done using some of the latest observations and is used to tackle cosmological tensions which may be alleviated in teleparallel cosmology. We also introduce a number of recent works in the application of machine learning to gravity, we do this through deep learning and Gaussian processes, together with discussions about other approaches in the literature.

Teleparallel Gravity: From Theory to Cosmology

We investigate the dynamics of locally rotationally symmetric and spatially homogeneous Bianchi type-I (LRS) space-time with the linear equation of state filled with a perfect fluid in the framework of f (T) gravity. We apply the gravitational field equations for the linear and quadratic form of f (T) gravity. We determine the aspects of Bianchi type-I space-time by considering the hybrid expansion law (HEL) for the average scale factor that yields power-law and exponential-law cosmologies, in its special cases. It is observed that initially the model is unstable and is then stable in both linear and quadratic case. Also, the universe exhibits transition from deceleration to acceleration phase.

Stability of Accelerating Universe with Linear Equation of State in f (T) Gravity Using Hybrid Expansion Law

This study presents mesonic tilted cosmological models with wet dark fluid in the F(T) theory of gravity, which is an extension of the Teleparallel theory of gravity, where T is the torsion scalar....

Mesonic tilted cosmological model with wet dark fluid in F(T) theory of gravity

The f(T) theory is recently proposed to explain the present cosmic accelerating expansion of the universe. f(T) theory is an extension of Teleparallel theory of gravity, where T is the torsion scalar. This paper contains the construction of f(T) models within the Kantowski-Sachs universe. For this purpose, we use conservation equation and equation of state parameter, which represents the different phases of the universe. We discuss possible cases for the matter dominated era, radiation dominated era, present dark energy phase and their combinations. Particularly, a constant solution has been obtained which may correspond to the cosmological constant. Further, we consider two well known f(T) models and derive the equation of state parameter and discuss the cosmic acceleration. Also, the Hubble parameter and average scale factor have been evaluated.

Kantowski-Sachs Universe Models in f(T) Theory of Gravity

The $f(T)$ theory is recently proposed to explain the present cosmic accelerating expansion of the universe. $f(T)$ theory is an extension of Teleparallel theory of gravity, where $T$ is the torsion scalar. This paper contains the construction of $f(T)$ models within the Kantowski-Sachs universe. For this purpose, we use conservation equation and equation of state parameter, which represents the different phases of the universe. We discuss possible cases for the matter dominated era, radiation dominated era, present dark energy phase and their combinations. Particularly, a constant solution has been obtained which may correspond to the cosmological constant. Further, we consider two well known $f(T)$ models and derive the equation of state parameter and discuss the cosmic acceleration. Also, the Hubble parameter and average scale factor have been evaluated.

M. Yussouf

Papers

Kantowski-Sachs Universe Models in f(T) Theory of Gravity

Kantowski-Sachs Universe Models in $f(T)$ Theory of Gravity