Repulsive gravity generated by ordinary matter
In the present work, and idea first discussed in the early 80’s is rediscussed. The model consists of a scalar field non-minimally coupled to gravity with a quartic self-interaction potential. After a spontaneous symmetry braking process, the scalar field promotes a renormalization of the gravitational constant, which in certain regimes can lead to gravitational repulsive effects produced by ordinary matter (more specifically, radiation). No exotic potential is required by this mechanism, and the broken symmetry can only last during a radiation dominated phase of the universe.
Authors: V. Antunes and M. Novello.