torsiondominated

Torsiondominated is a term used in theoretical physics to describe a regime in which torsion effects in a spacetime’s geometric connection are the primary influence on gravitational dynamics, outweighing the contributions from curvature in that regime. It is most often discussed within theories that extend general relativity to include torsion, such as Einstein–Cartan theory and certain teleparallel formulations.

In these frameworks, spacetime is described by both a metric and an affine connection that can possess torsion. In Einstein–Cartan theory, torsion is algebraically related to the spin density of matter and does not propagate as an independent field in vacuum. A torsion-dominated regime would thus arise in regions with extremely high spin density, where the torsion–spin coupling produces sizable corrections to the effective gravitational interaction and to the behavior of matter, particularly fermions. In contrast, curvature remains governed by the energy–momentum content.

Typical implications of a torsion-dominated regime include modifications to fermion propagation through spin–torsion couplings, the emergence of effective four-fermion interactions, and potential qualitative changes in high-density regimes such as the early universe or the interiors of compact objects. Some theoretical scenarios suggest torsion could contribute to avoiding singularities or altering early cosmological dynamics, though torsion in the standard Einstein–Cartan formulation does not propagate independently in vacuum.

The term is not universally standardized and is largely descriptive, used to indicate a region where torsion terms are the dominant geometric degrees of freedom relative to curvature. Its precise meaning depends on the specific gravity theory and context.