Evidence for a New Soft Graviton Theorem

Apr 15, 2014
23 pages
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Abstract: (arXiv)
The single-soft-graviton limit of any quantum gravity scattering amplitude is given at leading order by the universal Weinberg pole formula. Gauge invariance of the formula follows from global energy-momentum conservation. In this paper evidence is given for a conjectured universal formula for the finite subleading term in the expansion about the soft limit, whose gauge invariance follows from global angular momentum conservation. The conjecture is non-trivially verified for all tree-level graviton scattering amplitudes using a BCFW recursion relation. One hopes to understand this infinity of new soft relations as a Ward identity for a new superrotation Virasoro symmetry of the quantum gravity S-matrix.
Note:
  • 21 pages, normalization of J changed to the standard one and references added in v2
  • invariance: gauge
  • graviton: scattering amplitude
  • angular momentum: conservation law
  • energy-momentum: conservation law
  • gravitation: scattering amplitude
  • symmetry: Virasoro
  • quantum gravity
  • tree approximation
  • Ward identity
  • Weinberg