Exploring f(T) gravity via strongly lensed fast radio bursts

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aims to investigate the strong gravitational lensing effects in f(T) gravity. We present the theoretical analytic expressions for the lensing effects in f(T) gravity, including deflection angle, magnification, and time delay. On this basis, we also take the plasma lensing effect into consideration. We compare the lensing effects between the General Relativity in a vacuum environment and the f(T) gravity in a plasma environment. From a strongly lensed fast radio burst, the results indicate that in a plasma environment, General Relativity and f(T) gravity can generate indistinguishable image positions, but the magnification and time delay on these positions are significantly different, which can be distinguished by current facilities in principle. Therefore, the discrepancies between observational results and theoretical expectations can serve as clues for a modified gravity theory and provide constraints on f(T) gravity.