Stellar equilibrium configurations of white dwarfs in the $f(R,T)$ gravity

Understand

In this work we investigate the equilibrium configurations of white dwarfs in a modified gravity theory, na\-mely, $f(R,T)$ gravity, for which $R$ and $T$ stand for the Ricci scalar and trace of the energy-momentum tensor, respectively.

• Considering the functional form $f(R,T)=R+2\lambda T$, with $\lambda$ being a constant, we obtain the hydrostatic equilibrium equation for the theory.
• Some physical properties of white dwarfs, such as: mass, radius, pressure and energy density, as well as their dependence on the parameter $\lambda$ are derived.
• More massive and larger white dwarfs are found for negative values of $\lambda$ when it decreases.