Probing a scale dependent gravitational slip with galaxy strong lensing systems

Abstract

Observations of galaxy-scale strong gravitational lensing systems enable unique tests of departures from general relativity at the kilo- to megaparsec scale. In this work, the gravitational slip parameter γ_PN, measuring the amplitude of a hypothetical fifth force, is constrained using 130 elliptical galaxy lens systems. We implement a lens model with a power-law total mass density and a deprojected De Vaucouleurs luminosity density, favored over a power-law luminosity density. To break the degeneracy between the lens velocity anisotropy β and the gravitational slip, we introduce a new prior on the velocity anisotropy based on recent dynamical data. For a constant gravitational slip, we find γ_PN=0.9 0_-0.14^+0.18 in agreement with general relativity at the 68% confidence level. Introducing a Compton wavelength λ_g, effectively screening the fifth force at small and large scales, the best fit is obtained for λ_g∼0.2 Mpc and γ_PN=0.7 7_-0.14^+0.25. A local minimum is found at λ_g∼100 Mpc and γ_PN=0.5 6_-0.35^0.45. We conclude that there is no evidence in the data for a significant departure from general relativity and that using accurate assumptions and having good constraints on the lens galaxy model is key to ensure reliable constraints on the gravitational slip.