Vacuum Structure of Cosmologically Viable Quadratic Modifications of Gravity that are Functions of the Gauss-Bonnet Invariant

Details Vacuum Structure of Cosmologically Viable Quadratic Modifications of Gravity that are Functions of the Gauss-Bonnet Invariant Vacuum Structure of Cosmologically Viable Quadratic Modifications of Gravity that are Functions of the Gauss-Bonnet Invariant

2010-05-14

arxiv.org/abs/1005.2600v4

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology

10 pages, Latex, no figures. Discussion made more clear through the use of new field variables. Several misprints and minor er

Scientific paper

We perform a thorough study of the theoretical consistency of recently proposed, viable, quadratic modifications of gravity that are functions of the the Gauss-Bonnet invariant, regarding the stability of their perturbations around vacuum, maximally symmetric spaces of constant curvature. We pay special attention, in particular, to the investigation of pathological instabilities associated with the occurrence of propagating spin-0 tachyon modes, and with the development of a graviton ghost. The latter effect is associated with the known "Ricci stability" issue, well studied in $f(R)$-theories. Within quadratic modifications of gravity it is discussed for the first time. Special attention is paid to the requirement of non-negativity of the effective gravitational coupling, which warrants that the graviton is not a negative-norm state. It is demonstrated that, several theories that pass the cosmological as well as the solar system tests, have to be rule out on the basis of the unavoidable character of these pathological instabilities.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Vacuum Structure of Cosmologically Viable Quadratic Modifications of Gravity that are Functions of the Gauss-Bonnet Invariant does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Vacuum Structure of Cosmologically Viable Quadratic Modifications of Gravity that are Functions of the Gauss-Bonnet Invariant, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vacuum Structure of Cosmologically Viable Quadratic Modifications of Gravity that are Functions of the Gauss-Bonnet Invariant will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-520363