Nonlinear, noncovariant spin-two theories

Journal Article · Sat Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.42.2057· OSTI ID:6227899

Heiderich, K R; Unruh, W G ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)

Using Wald's consistency criteria, we exhibit classes of nonlinear theories of a spin-two field that do not have general covariance. We consider the nonlinear generalization of linear equations of motion for a symmetric two-tensor field {gamma}{sub {ital a}{ital b}}, and find a class of consistent theories which, when interpreted in terms of a metric, are invariant under the infinitesimal gauge transformation {gamma}{sub {ital a}{ital b}}{r arrow}{gamma}{sub {ital a}{ital b}}+{del}{sub ({ital a}}{del}{sup {ital c}}{ital K}{sub {vert bar}{ital c}{vert bar}{ital b})}, where {ital K}{sub {ital a}{ital b}} is an arbitrary two-form field. In addition, we find classes of theories that are conformally invariant. As a related problem, we compare the types of theories obtained from the nonlinear extension of a divergence- and curl-free vector field when it is described in terms of different choices of potential. It appears that the resulting types of nonlinear theories are not equivalent. A similar analysis is carried out for three-dimensional electromagnetism.

• OSTI ID: 6227899
• Journal Information: Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review, D (Particles Fields); (USA) Vol. 42:6; ISSN 0556-2821; ISSN PRVDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645400* -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ANGULAR MOMENTUM
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTROMAGNETISM
EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
FIELD THEORIES
FUNCTIONS
GAUGE INVARIANCE
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
LAGRANGIAN FUNCTION
MAGNETISM
METRICS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PARTICLE PROPERTIES
SPACE-TIME
SPIN
TENSOR FORCES
VECTOR FIELDS