Numerical methods for scalar field dark energy in tabletop experiments and Lunar Laser Ranging

Abstract Numerous tabletop experiments have been dedicated to exploring the manifestations of screened scalar field dark energy, such as symmetron or chameleon fields. Precise theoretical predictions require simulating field configurations within the respective experiments. This paper focuses onto the less-explored environment-dependent dilaton field, which emerges in the strong coupling limit of string theory. Due to its exponential self-coupling, this field can exhibit significantly steeper slopes compared to symmetron and chameleon fields, and the equations of motion can be challenging to solve with standard machine precision. We present the first exact solution for the geometry of a vacuum region between two infinitely extended parallel plates. This solution serves as a benchmark for testing the accuracy of numerical solvers. By reparametrizing the model and transforming the equations of motion, we show how to make the model computable across the entire experimentally accessible parameter space. To simulate the dilaton field in one- and two-mirror geometries, as well as spherical configurations, we introduce a non-uniform finite difference method. Additionally, we provide an algorithm for solving the stationary Schrödinger equation for a fermion in one dimension in the presence of a dilaton field. The algorithms developed here are not limited to the dilaton field, but can be applied to similar scalar-tensor theories as well. We demonstrate such applications at hand of the chameleon and symmetron field. Our computational tools have practical applications in a variety of experimental contexts, including gravity resonance spectroscopy ( q Bounce ), Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR), and the upcoming Casimir and Non-Newtonian Force Experiment ( cannex ). A Mathematica implementation of all algorithms is provided.