Weyl-Invariant Higher Curvature Gravity Theories in n Dimensions

Jan, 2012
14 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Rev.D 85 (2012) 064016
e-Print:

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Abstract: (arXiv)
We study the particle spectrum and the unitarity of the generic n-dimensional Weyl-invariant quadratic curvature gravity theories around their (anti-)de Sitter [(A)dS] and flat vacua. Weyl symmetry is spontaneously broken in (A)dS and radiatively broken at the loop level in flat space. Save the three dimensional theory (which is the Weyl-invariant extension of the new massive gravity), the graviton remains massless and the unitarity requires that the only viable Weyl-invariant quadratic theory is the Weyl-invariant extension of the Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet theory. The Weyl gauge field on the other hand becomes massive. Symmetry breaking scale fixes all the dimensionful parameters in the theory.
Note:
  • 14 pages, references added, To appear in Phys. Rev. D
  • 04.50.Kd
  • 04.60.Kz
  • invariance: Weyl
  • curvature: high
  • quantum gravity: any-dimensional
  • particle: spectrum
  • symmetry breaking
  • unitarity
  • space-time: anti-de Sitter
  • space-time: de Sitter