Gravitational waves and lensing of the metric theory proposed by Sobouti

Aims. We investigate in detail two physical properties of the metric f(R) theory developed by Sobouti (2007, A&A, 464, 921). We first look for the possibility of producing gravitational waves which travel at the speed of light. We then check the possibility of producing extra bending in the lenses produced by the theory. Methods. We do this by using standard weak field approximations to the gravitational field equations that appear in Sobouti's theory. Results. We show that the metric theory of gravitation proposed by Sobouti (2007) predicts the existence of gravitational waves travelling at the speed of light in vacuum. In fact, this is proved in general terms for all metric theories of gravity which can be expressed as powers of Ricci's scalar. We also show that an extra additional lensing as compared to that predicted by standard general relativity is produced. Conclusions. These two points are generally considered to be of crucial importance in the development of relativistic theories of gravity that could provide an alternative description to the dark matter paradigm.