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Title: Nonderivative modified gravity: a classification

Journal Article · · Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
 [1];  [2]
  1. INFN - Sezione di Ferrara, I-35131 Ferrara (Italy)
  2. Ruđer er Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000, Zagreb (Croatia)

We analyze the theories of gravity modified by a generic nonderivative potential built from the metric, under the minimal requirement of unbroken spatial rotations. Using the canonical analysis, we classify the potentials V according to the number of degrees of freedom (DoF) that propagate at the nonperturbative level. We then compare the nonperturbative results with the perturbative DoF propagating around Minkowski and FRW backgrounds. A generic V implies 6 propagating DoF at the non-perturbative level, with a ghost on Minkowski background. There exist potentials which propagate 5 DoF, as already studied in previous works. Here, no V with unbroken rotational invariance admitting 4 DoF is found. Theories with 3 DoF turn out to be strongly coupled on Minkowski background. Finally, potentials with only the 2 DoF of a massive graviton exist. Their effect on cosmology is simply equivalent to a cosmological constant. Potentials with 2 or 5 DoF and explicit time dependence appear to be a further viable possibility.

OSTI ID:
22375754
Journal Information:
Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, Vol. 2014, Issue 11; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1475-7516
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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