Showing papers on "Gravitational field published in 2020"

The combined global gravity field model XGM2019e

Abstract: XGM2019e is a combined global gravity field model represented by spheroidal harmonics up to degree and order (d/o) 5399, corresponding to a spatial resolution of 2′ (~ 4 km). As data sources, it includes the satellite model GOCO06s in the longer wavelength range up to d/o 300 combined with a ground gravity grid which also covers the shorter wavelengths. The ground data consist over land and ocean of gravity anomalies provided by courtesy of NGA (15′ resolution, identical to XGM2016) augmented with topographically derived gravity information over land (EARTH2014). Over the oceans, gravity anomalies derived from satellite altimetry are used (DTU13 with a resolution of 1′). The combination of the satellite data with the ground gravity observations is performed by using full normal equations up to d/o 719 (15′). Beyond d/o 719, a block-diagonal least squares solution is calculated for the high-resolution ground gravity data (from topography and altimetry). All calculations are performed in the spheroidal harmonic domain. In the spectral band up to d/o 719, the new model shows a slightly improved behaviour in the magnitude of a few mm RMS over land as compared to preceding models such as XGM2016, EIGEN6c4 or EGM2008 when validated with independent geoid information derived from GNSS/levelling. Over land and in the spectral range above d/o 719, the accuracy of XGM2019e marginally suffers from the sole use of topographic forward modelling, and geoid differences at GNSS/levelling stations are increased in the order of several mm RMS in well-surveyed areas, such as the US and Europe, compared to models containing real gravity data over their entire spectrum, e.g. EIGEN6c4 or EGM2008. However, GNSS/levelling validation also indicates that the performance of XGM2019e can be considered as globally more consistent and independent of existing high-resolution global models. Over the oceans, the model exhibits an enhanced performance (equal or better than preceding models), which is confirmed by comparison of the MDT’s computed from CNES/CLS 2015 mean sea surface and the high-resolution geoid models. The MDT based on XGM2019e shows fewer artefacts, particularly in the coastal regions, and fits globally better to DTU17MDT which is considered as an independent reference MDT.

Testing the Strong Equivalence Principle: Detection of the External Field Effect in Rotationally Supported Galaxies

Abstract: The Strong Equivalence Principle (SEP) distinguishes General Relativity from other viable theories of gravity. The SEP demands that the internal dynamics of a self-gravitating system under free-fall in an external gravitational field should not depend on the external field strength. We test the SEP by investigating the external field effect (EFE) in Milgromian dynamics (MOND), proposed as an alternative to dark matter in interpreting galactic kinematics. We report a detection of this EFE using galaxies from the Spitzer Photometry and Accurate Rotation Curves (SPARC) sample together with estimates of the large-scale external gravitational field from an all-sky galaxy catalog. Our detection is threefold: (1) the EFE is individually detected at $8\sigma$ to $11\sigma$ in "golden" galaxies subjected to exceptionally strong external fields, while it is not detected in exceptionally isolated galaxies, (2) the EFE is statistically detected at more than $4\sigma$ from a blind test of 153 SPARC rotating galaxies, giving a mean value of the external field consistent with an independent estimate from the galaxies' environments, and (3) we detect a systematic downward trend in the weak gravity part of the radial acceleration relation at the right acceleration predicted by the EFE of the MOND modified gravity. Tidal effects from neighboring galaxies in the $\Lambda$CDM context are not strong enough to explain these phenomena. They are not predicted by existing $\Lambda$CDM models of galaxy formation and evolution, adding a new small-scale challenge to the $\Lambda$CDM paradigm. Our results point to a breakdown of the SEP, supporting modified gravity theories beyond General Relativity.

Weyl type f(Q, T) gravity, and its cosmological implications

Abstract: We consider an f(Q, T) type gravity model in which the scalar non-metricity $$Q_{\alpha \mu u }$$ of the space-time is expressed in its standard Weyl form, and it is fully determined by a vector field $$w_{\mu }$$. The field equations of the theory are obtained under the assumption of the vanishing of the total scalar curvature, a condition which is added into the gravitational action via a Lagrange multiplier. The gravitational field equations are obtained from a variational principle, and they explicitly depend on the scalar nonmetricity and on the Lagrange multiplier. The covariant divergence of the matter energy-momentum tensor is also determined, and it follows that the nonmetricity-matter coupling leads to the nonconservation of the energy and momentum. The energy and momentum balance equations are explicitly calculated, and the expressions of the energy source term and of the extra force are found. We investigate the cosmological implications of the theory, and we obtain the cosmological evolution equations for a flat, homogeneous and isotropic geometry, which generalize the Friedmann equations of standard general relativity. We consider several cosmological models by imposing some simple functional forms of the function f(Q, T), and we compare the predictions of the theory with the standard $$\Lambda $$CDM model.

The noise of gravitons

Abstract: We show that when the gravitational field is treated quantum-mechanically, it induces fluctuations — noise — in the lengths of the arms of gravitational wave detectors. The characteristics of the n...

Effect of nonlinear electrodynamics on the weak field deflection angle by a black hole

Abstract: In this work we investigate the weak deflection angle of light from an exact black hole within nonlinear electrodynamics. First, we calculate the Gaussian optical curvature using the optical spacetime geometry. With the help of modern geometrical methods popularized by Gibbons and Werner, we examine the deflection angle of light from an exact black hole. To do this, we determine the optical Gaussian curvature and apply the Gauss-Bonnet theorem to the optical metric and calculate the leading terms of the deflection angle in the weak-limit approximation. Furthermore, we also study the plasma medium's effect on weak gravitational lensing by an exact black hole. Hence, we determine the effect of nonlinear electrodynamics on the deflection angle in a weak gravitational field.

Classical double copy from color kinematics duality: A proof in the soft limit

Abstract: Classical double copy is an intriguing relationship between classical solutions to a gravity theory and solutions to classical Yang-Mills equations. Although formally inspired by the double copy relation between (quantum) scattering amplitudes in Yang-Mills and perturbative gravity, a direct proof of the former from the latter continues to be under investigation. In this paper, we attempt to prove classical double copy from the color-kinematics duality symmetry of scalar QCD amplitudes in a restricted setting. That is, we consider radiative solutions with classical scattering sources in Yang-Mills theory and perturbative gravity in $Dg4$ spacetime dimensions. We show that when the frequency of radiation is much smaller than the characteristic frequency of the process, then at the subleading order in frequency, the classical double copy relating radiative gluon field to radiative gravitational field can be proved from the color-kinematics duality of scalar QCD amplitudes.

General relativistic Poynting-Robertson effect to diagnose wormholes existence: Static and spherically symmetric case

Abstract: We derive the equations of motion of a test particle in the equatorial plane around a static and spherically symmetric wormhole influenced by a radiation field including the general relativistic Poynting-Robertson effect. From the analysis of this dynamical system, we develop a diagnostic to distinguish a black hole from a wormhole, which can be timely supported by several and different observational data. This procedure is based on the possibility of having some wormhole metrics, which smoothly connect to the Schwarzschild metric in a small transition surface layer very close to the black hole event horizon. To detect such a metric change, we analyze the emission proprieties from the critical hypersurface (stable region where radiation and gravitational fields balance) together with those from an accretion disk in the Schwarzschild spacetime toward a distant observer. Indeed, if the observational data are well fitted within such a model, it immediately implies the existence of a black hole; while in the case of strong departures from such a description it means that a wormhole could be present. Finally, we discuss our results and draw conclusions.

A no-go theorem on the nature of the gravitational field beyond quantum theory

Abstract: Recently, table-top experiments involving massive quantum systems have been proposed to test the interface of quantum theory and gravity. In particular, the crucial point of the debate is whether it is possible to conclude anything on the quantum nature of the gravitational field, provided that two quantum systems become entangled due to solely the gravitational interaction. Typically, this question has been addressed by assuming an underlying physical theory to describe the gravitational interaction, but no systematic approach to characterise the set of possible gravitational theories which are compatible with the observation of entanglement has been proposed. Here, we introduce the framework of Generalised Probabilistic Theories (GPTs) to the study of the nature of the gravitational field. This framework has the advantage that it only relies on the set of operationally accessible states, transformations, and measurements, without presupposing an underlying theory. Hence, it provides a framework to systematically study all theories compatible with the detection of entanglement generated via the gravitational interaction between two non-classical systems. Assuming that such gravitationally mediated entanglement is observed we prove a no-go theorem stating that gravity cannot simultaneously satisfy the following conditions i) it is a theory with no faster-than-light signalling; ii) it mediates the gravitational interaction via a physical degree of freedom; iii) it is classical. We further show what the violation of each condition implies, and in particular, when iii) is violated, we provide examples of non-classical and non-quantum theories which are logically consistent with the other conditions.

Parametrized and inspiral-merger-ringdown consistency tests of gravity with multiband gravitational wave observations

Abstract: The gravitational wave observations of colliding black holes have opened a new window into the unexplored extreme gravity sector of physics, where the gravitational fields are immensely strong, nonlinear, and dynamical. Ten binary black hole merger events observed so far can be used to test Einstein's theory of general relativity, which has otherwise been proven to agree with observations from several sources in the weak- or static-field regimes. One interesting future possibility is to detect gravitational waves from GW150914-like stellar-mass black hole binaries with both ground-based and space-based detectors. We here demonstrate the power of testing extreme gravity with such multiband gravitational-wave observations. In particular, we consider two theory-agnostic methods to test gravity using gravitational waves. The first test is the parametrized test where we introduce generic non-Einsteinian corrections to the waveform, which can easily be mapped to parameters in known example theories beyond general relativity. The second test is the inspiral-merger-ringdown consistency test where one derives the mass and spin of a merger remnant from the inspiral and merger-ringdown independently assuming general relativity is correct, and then check their consistency. In both cases, we use Fisher analyses and compare the results with Bayesian ones wherever possible. Regarding the first test, we find that multiband observations can be crucial in probing certain modified theories of gravity, including those with gravitational parity violation. Regarding the second test, we show that future single-band detections can improve upon the current tests by roughly 3 orders of magnitude, and further 7--10 times improvement may be realized with multiband observations.

Hereditary Terms at Next-To-Leading Order in Two-Body Gravitational Dynamics

Abstract: In the context of the two-body problem in General Relativity, hereditary terms in the long range gravitational field depend on the history rather than the instantaneous state of the source at retarded time. We compute the next-to leading effects of such hereditary terms, that comprise tail and memory, on the two-body dynamics, within effective field theory methods, including both dissipative and conservative effects. The former confirm known results at 2.5 post-Newtonian order with respect to the leading order in the luminosity function; the conservative part is a new result and is an unavoidable ingredient for a derivation of the conservative two-body dynamics at fifth post-Newtonian order.

Exact Kerr-like solution and its shadow in a gravity model with spontaneous Lorentz symmetry breaking

Abstract: We obtain an exact Kerr-like black hole solution by solving the corresponding gravitational field equations in Einstein-bumblebee gravity model where Lorentz symmetry is spontaneously broken once a vector field acquires a vacuum expectation value. Results are presented for the purely radial Lorentz symmetry breaking. In order to study the effects of this breaking, we consider the black hole shadow and find that the radial of the unstable spherical orbit on the equatorial plane $$r_c$$ decreases with the Lorentz breaking constant $$\ell >0$$, and increases with $$\ell <0$$. These shifts are similar to those of Einstein-aether black hole. The effect of the LV parameter on the black hole shadow is that it accelerates the appearance of shadow distortion, and could be detected by the new generation of gravitational antennas.

The Density-Driven Nanofluid Convection in an Anisotropic Porous Medium Layer with Rotation and Variable Gravity Field: A Numerical Investigation

Abstract: In this study, a numerical examination of the significance of rotation and changeable gravitational field on the start of nanofluid convective movement in an anisotropic porous medium layer is shown. A model that accounts for the impact of Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis is used for nanofluid, while Darcy’s law is taken for the porous medium. The porous layer is subjected to uniform rotation and changeable downward gravitational field which fluctuates with the height from the layer by linearly or parabolic. The higher-order Galerkin technique is applied to obtain the numerical solutions. The outcomes demonstrate that the rotation parameter TD, the thermal anisotropy parameterh and the gravity variation parameter λ slow the beginning of convective motion, whereas the mechanical anisotropy parameter ξ, the nanoparticle Rayleigh-Darcy number Rnp, the modified diffusivity ratio NAnf and the modified nanofluid Lewis number Lenf quick the start of convective motion. For instance, by rising the gravity variation parameterfrom zero to 1.4, the critical nanofluid thermal Rayleigh-Darcy number Rnf,c and the critical wave numberboost maximum around 133% and 7%, respectively for linear variation of the gravity field, while it were 47% and 2.8% for parabolic variation of the gravity field. It is also observed that the system is more unstable for the parabolic variation of the gravity field.

Traversable wormholes in f (R ,T ) gravity

Abstract: In the present article, models of traversable wormholes within the $f(R, T)$ modified gravity theory, where $R$ is the Ricci scalar and $T$ is the trace of the energy-momentum tensor, are investigated. We have presented some wormhole models, which are formulated from various hypothesis for their matter content, i.e. various relations for their lateral and radial pressure components. The solutions found for the shape functions of the wormholes produced complies with the required metric conditions. The validity of solution is examined by exploring null, strong and dominant energy conditions. It is concluded that the normal matter in the throat may pursue the energy conditions, and it is the higher-order curvature terms, termed as the gravitational field, that supports the non-standard geometries of wormholes in the context of modified gravity.

Testing the Strong Equivalence Principle: Detection of the External Field Effect in Rotationally Supported Galaxies

Abstract: The Strong Equivalence Principle (SEP) distinguishes General Relativity from other viable theories of gravity. The SEP demands that the internal dynamics of a self-gravitating system under free-fall in an external gravitational field should not depend on the external field strength. We test the SEP by investigating the external field effect (EFE) in Milgromian dynamics (MOND), proposed as an alternative to dark matter in interpreting galactic kinematics. We report a detection of this EFE using galaxies from the Spitzer Photometry and Accurate Rotation Curves (SPARC) sample together with estimates of the large-scale external gravitational field from an all-sky galaxy catalog. Our detection is threefold: (1) the EFE is individually detected at $8\sigma$ to $11\sigma$ in "golden" galaxies subjected to exceptionally strong external fields, while it is not detected in exceptionally isolated galaxies, (2) the EFE is statistically detected at more than $4\sigma$ from a blind test of 153 SPARC rotating galaxies, giving a mean value of the external field consistent with an independent estimate from the galaxies' environments, and (3) we detect a systematic downward trend in the weak gravity part of the radial acceleration relation at the right acceleration predicted by the EFE of the MOND modified gravity. Tidal effects from neighboring galaxies in the $\Lambda$CDM context are not strong enough to explain these phenomena. They are not predicted by existing $\Lambda$CDM models of galaxy formation and evolution, adding a new small-scale challenge to the $\Lambda$CDM paradigm. Our results point to a breakdown of the SEP, supporting modified gravity theories beyond General Relativity.

Test particle motion around a black hole in Einstein-Maxwell-scalar theory

Abstract: In this paper, we explore the test particle motion around black hole in Einstein-Maxwell-scalar (EMS) theory using three different black hole solutions within this theory We have first analyzed the spacetime curvature structure of these solutions and shown the existence of two singularities and the first one is at the center $r=0$ In black hole spacetime, there are two regions divided by the critical value of the cosmological parameter ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{0}$ The photon sphere around black hole in EMS theory has also been studied and found that it does not depend on cosmological parameter $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ We have analyzed the innermost stable circular orbits (ISCO) around black hole and shown that for all solutions ISCO radius for neutral particle decreases with the increase of black hole charge We have also studied the charged particle motion around the black hole where charged particle motion is considered in the presence of gravitational field and the Coulomb potential It is shown that ISCO radius for charged particles increases depending on the selected value of the coupling parameter which is in contradiction with observations of the inner edge of the accretion disks of the astrophysical black holes and can be used as powerful tool to rule out the EMS theory from consideration for the gravitational field theory It also studied the fundamental frequencies governed by test particle orbiting around black hole in EMS theory Finally, as test of black hole solution in EMS theory ISCO radii is compared with that in Kerr black hole and found that the spin parameter of Kerr can be mimic up to $a/M\ensuremath{\simeq}0936$

GRACE-FO precise orbit determination and gravity recovery

Abstract: The gravity recovery and climate experiment follow-on (GRACE-FO) satellites, launched in May of 2018, are equipped with geodetic quality GPS receivers for precise orbit determination (POD) and gravity recovery. The primary objective of the GRACE-FO mission is to map the time-variable and mean gravity field of the Earth. To achieve this goal, both GRACE-FO satellites are additionally equipped with a K-band ranging (KBR) system, accelerometers and star trackers. Data processing strategies, data weighting approaches and impacts of observation types and rates are investigated in order to determine the most efficient approach for processing GRACE-FO multi-type data for precise orbit determination and gravity recovery. Two GPS observation types, un-differenced (UD) and double-differenced (DD) observations in general can be used for GPS-based POD and gravity recovery. The GRACE-FO KBR observations are mainly used for gravity recovery, but they can be also used for POD to improve the relative orbit accuracy. The main purpose of this paper is to study the impacts of the DD, UD and KBR observations on GRACE-FO POD and gravity recovery. The precise orbit accuracy is assessed using several tests, which include analysis of orbital fits, satellite laser ranging residuals, KBR range residuals and orbit comparisons. The gravity recovery is validated by comparing different gravity solutions through coefficient-wise comparison, degree difference variances and water height variations over the whole Earth and selected area and river basins.

Causal orders, quantum circuits and spacetime: distinguishing between definite and superposed causal orders

Abstract: We study the notion of causal orders for the cases of (classical and quantum) circuits and spacetime events. We show that every circuit can be immersed into a classical spacetime, preserving the compatibility between the two causal structures. Using the process matrix formalism, we analyse the realisations of the quantum switch using 4 and 3 spacetime events in classical spacetimes with fixed causal orders, and the realisation of a gravitational switch with only 2 spacetime events that features superpositions of different gravitational field configurations and their respective causal orders. We show that the current quantum switch experimental implementations do not feature superpositions of causal orders between spacetime events, and that these superpositions can only occur in the context of superposed gravitational fields. We also discuss a recently introduced operational notion of an event, which does allow for superpositions of respective causal orders in flat spacetime quantum switch implementations. We construct two observables that can distinguish between the quantum switch realisations in classical spacetimes, and gravitational switch implementations in superposed spacetimes. Finally, we discuss our results in the light of the modern relational approach to physics.

Shadows of charged rotating black holes: Kerr–Newman versus Kerr–Sen

Abstract: Celebrating the centennial of its first experimental test, the theory of General Relativity (GR) has successfully and consistently passed all subsequent tests with flying colors. It is expected, however, that at certain scales new physics, in particular, in the form of quantum corrections, will emerge, changing some of the predictions of GR, which is a classical theory. In this respect, black holes (BHs) are natural configurations to explore the quantum effects on strong gravitational fields. BH solutions in the low-energy effective field theory description of the heterotic string theory, which is one of the leading candidates to describe quantum gravity, have been the focus of many studies in the last three decades. The recent interest in strong gravitational lensing by BHs, in the wake of the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) observations, suggests comparing the BH lensing in both GR and heterotic string theory, in order to assess the phenomenological differences between these models. In this work, we investigate the differences in the shadows of two charged BH solutions with rotation: one arising in the context of GR, namely the Kerr–Newman (KN) solution, and the other within the context of low-energy heterotic string theory, the Kerr–Sen (KS) solution. We show and interpret, in particular, that the stringy BH always has a larger shadow, for the same physical parameters and observation conditions.

Basins of convergence of equilibrium points in the restricted three-body problem with modified gravitational potential

Abstract: This article aims to investigate the points of equilibrium and the associated convergence basins in the restricted problem with two primaries, with a modified gravitational potential. In particular, for one of the primary bodies, we add an external gravitational term of the form 1/r3, which is very common in general relativity and represents a gravitational field much stronger than the classical Newtonian one. Using the well-known Newton–Raphson iterator we numerically locate the position of the points of equilibrium, while we also obtain their linear stability. Furthermore, for the location of the points of equilibrium, we obtain semi-analytical functions of both the mass parameter and the transition parameter. Finally, we demonstrate how these two variable parameters affect the convergence dynamics of the system as well as the fractal degree of the basin diagrams. The fractal degree is derived by computing the (boundary) basin entropy.

Relativistic kinetic gases as direct sources of gravity

Abstract: We propose a new model for the description of a gravitating multiparticle system, viewed as a kinetic gas. The properties of the (colliding or noncolliding) particles are encoded into a so-called one-particle distribution function, which is a density on the space of allowed particle positions and velocities, i.e., on the tangent bundle of the spacetime manifold. We argue that an appropriate theory of gravity, describing the gravitational field generated by a kinetic gas, must also be modeled on the tangent bundle. The most natural mathematical framework for this task is Finsler spacetime geometry. Following this line of argumentation, we construct a coupling between the kinetic gas and a recently proposed Finsler geometric extension of general relativity. Additionally, we explicitly show how the general covariance of the action of the kinetic gas on the tangent bundle leads to a novel formulation of its energy-momentum conservation in terms of its energy-momentum distribution tensor.

Cylindrical systems in general relativity

Abstract: With the arrival of the era of gravitational wave astronomy, the strong gravitational field regime will be explored soon in various aspects. In this article, we provide a general review over cylindrical systems in Einstein's theory of general relativity. In particular, we first review the general properties, both local and global, of several important solutions of Einstein's field equations, including the Levi-Civita and Lewis solutions and their extensions to include the cosmological constant and matter fields, and pay particular attention to properties that represent the generic features of the theory, such as the formation of the observed extragalactic jets and gravitational Faraday rotation. We also review studies of cylindrical wormholes, gravitational collapse and Hoop conjecture, and polarizations of gravitational waves. In addition, by rigorously defining cylindrically symmetric spacetimes, we clarify various (incorrect) claims existing in the literature, regarding to the generality of such spacetimes.

Saturn’s Probable Interior: An Exploration of Saturn’s Potential Interior Density Structures

Abstract: The gravity field of a giant planet is typically our best window into its interior structure and composition. Through comparison of a model planet's calculated gravitational potential with the observed potential, inferences can be made about interior quantities, including possible composition and the existence of a core. Necessarily, a host of assumptions go into such calculations, making every inference about a giant planet's structure strongly model dependent. In this work, we present a more general picture by setting Saturn's gravity field, as measured during the Cassini Grand Finale, as a likelihood function driving a Markov Chain Monte Carlo exploration of the possible interior density profiles. The result is a posterior distribution of the interior structure that is not tied to assumed composition, thermal state, or material equations of state. Constraints on interior structure derived in this Bayesian framework are necessarily less informative, but are also less biased and more general. These empirical and probabilistic constraints on the density structure are our main data product, which we archive for continued analysis. We find that the outer half of Saturn's radius is relatively well constrained, and we interpret our findings as suggesting a significant metal enrichment, in line with atmospheric abundances from remote sensing. As expected, the inner half of Saturn's radius is less well constrained by gravity, but we generally find solutions that include a significant density enhancement, which can be interpreted as a core, although this core is often lower in density and larger in radial extent than typically found by standard models. This is consistent with a dilute core and/or composition gradients.

On testing CDM and geometry-driven Milky Way rotation curve models with Gaia DR2

Abstract: Flat rotation curves in disk galaxies represent the main evidence for large amounts of surrounding dark matter. Despite of the difficulty in identifying the dark matter contribution to the total mass density in our Galaxy, stellar kinematics, as tracer of gravitational potential, is the most reliable observable for gauging different matter components. This work tests the flatness of the MW rotation curve with a simple general relativistic model suitable to represent the geometry of a disk as a stationary axisymmetric dust metric at a sufficiently large distance from a central body. Circular velocities of unprecedented accuracy were derived from the Gaia DR2 data for a carefully selected sample of disk stars. We then fit these velocities to both the classical, i.e. including a dark matter halo, rotation curve model and a relativistic analogue, as derived form the solution of Einstein's equation. The GR-compliant MW rotational curve model results statistically indistinguishable from its state-of-the-art DM analogue. This supports our ansatz that a stationary and axisymmetric galaxy-scale metric could "fill the gap" in a baryons-only Milky Way, suggestive of star orbits dragged along the background geometry. We confirmed that geometry is a manifestation of gravity according to the Einstein theory, in particular the weak gravitational effect due to the off-diagonal term of the metric could mimic for a "DM-like" effect in the observed flatness of the MW rotation curve. In the context of Local Cosmology, our findings are suggestive of a Galaxy phase-space as the exterior gravitational field of a Kerr-like source (inner rotating bulge) without the need of extra-matter.

Beyond Einstein's General Relativity: Hybrid metric-Palatini gravity and curvature-matter couplings

Abstract: Einstein's General Relativity (GR) is possibly one of the greatest intellectual achievements ever conceived by the human mind. In fact, over the last century, GR has proven to be an extremely successful theory, with a well established experimental footing. However, the discovery of the late-time cosmic acceleration, which represents a new imbalance in the governing gravitational field equations, has forced theorists and experimentalists to question whether GR is the correct relativistic theory of gravitation, and has spurred much research in modified gravity, where extensions of the Hilbert-Einstein action describe the gravitational field. In this review, we perform a detailed theoretical and phenomenological analysis of two largely explored extensions of $f(R)$ gravity, namely: (i) the hybrid metric-Palatini theory; (ii) and modified gravity with curvature-matter couplings. Relative to the former, it has been established that both metric and Palatini versions of $f(R)$ gravity possess interesting features but also manifest severe drawbacks. A hybrid combination, containing elements from both of these formalisms, turns out to be very successful in accounting for the observed phenomenology and avoids some drawbacks of the original approaches. Relative to the curvature-matter coupling theories, these offer interesting extensions of $f(R)$ gravity, where the explicit nonminimal couplings between an arbitrary function of the scalar curvature $R$ and the Lagrangian density of matter, induces a non-vanishing covariant derivative of the energy-momentum tensor. We extensively explore both theories in a plethora of applications, namely, the weak-field limit, galactic and extragalactic dynamics, cosmology, stellar-type compact objects, irreversible matter creation processes and the quantum cosmology of a specific curvature-matter coupling theory.