More on massive 3D gravity

Journal Article · Mon Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 2009 · Physical Review. D, Particles Fields

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVD.79.124042· OSTI ID:21301001

Bergshoeff, Eric A; Hohm, Olaf ^[1]; Townsend, Paul K ^[2]

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1. Centre for Theoretical Physics, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen (Netherlands)
2. Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge, CB3 0WA (United Kingdom)

We explore the space of static solutions of the recently discovered three-dimensional 'new massive gravity' (NMG), allowing for either sign of the Einstein-Hilbert term and a cosmological term parametrized by a dimensionless constant {lambda}. For {lambda}=-1 we find black hole solutions asymptotic (but not isometric) to the unique (anti) de Sitter [(A)dS] vacuum, including extremal black holes that interpolate between this vacuum and (A)dS{sub 2}xS{sup 1}. We also investigate unitarity of linearized NMG in (A)dS vacua. We find unitary theories for some dS vacua, but (bulk) unitarity in AdS implies negative central charge of the dual conformal field theories (CFT), except for {lambda}=3 where the central charge vanishes and the bulk gravitons are replaced by 'massive photons'. A similar phenomenon is found in the massless limit of NMG, for which the linearized equations become equivalent to Maxwell's equations.

• OSTI ID: 21301001
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D, Particles Fields, Journal Name: Physical Review. D, Particles Fields Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 79; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ANTI DE SITTER SPACE
ASYMPTOTIC SOLUTIONS
BLACK HOLES
CONFORMAL INVARIANCE
GRAVITATION
GRAVITONS
MAXWELL EQUATIONS
PHOTONS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
UNITARITY