Exotic compact objects in Einstein-scalar-Maxwell theories

preprint2026arXivOpen access

Abstract

In k-essence theories within general relativity, where the matter Lagrangian depends on a real scalar field ϕϕ and its kinetic term XX, static and spherically symmetric compact objects with a positive-definite energy density cannot exist without introducing ghosts. We show that this no-go theorem can be evaded when the k-essence Lagrangian is extended to include a dependence on the field strength FF of a U(1)U(1) gauge field, taking the general form L(ϕ,X,F){\cal L}(ϕ, X, F). In Einstein-scalar-Maxwell theories with a scalar-vector coupling μ(ϕ)Fμ(ϕ) F, we demonstrate the existence of asymptotically flat, charged compact stars whose energy density and pressure vanish at the center. With an appropriate choice of the coupling function μ(ϕ)μ(ϕ), we construct both electric and magnetic compact objects and derive their metric functions and scalar- and vector-field profiles analytically. We compute their masses and radii, showing that the compactness lies in the range O(0.01)<C<O(0.1){\cal O}(0.01)<{\cal C}<{\cal O}(0.1). A linear perturbation analysis reveals that electric compact objects are free of strong coupling, ghost, and Laplacian instabilities at all radii for μ(ϕ)>0μ(ϕ)>0, while magnetic compact objects suffer from strong coupling near the center.

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