In the Einstein-Cartan theory of torsion-free gravity coupling to massless fermions, the four-fermion interaction is induced and its strength is a function of the gravitational and gauge couplings, as well as the Immirzi parameter. We study the dynamics of the four-fermion interaction to determine whether effective bilinear terms of massive fermion fields are generated. Calculating one-particle-irreducible two-point functions of fermion fields, we identify three different phases and two critical points for phase transitions characterized by the strength of four-fermion interaction: (1) chiral symmetric phase for massive fermions in strong coupling regime; (2) chiral symmetric broken phase for massive fermions in intermediate coupling regime; (3) chiral symmetric phase for massless fermions in weak coupling regime. We discuss the scaling-invariant region for an effective theory of massive fermions coupled to torsion-free gravity in the {\it low-energy limit}.
We show that the electron in the Riemann-Cartan spacetime with extra dimensions has a finite size that is much larger than the experimental upper limit on its radius. Thus the Arkani-Hamed-Dimopoulos-Dvali and Randall-Sundrum models of the weak/Planck hierarchy in particle physics are not viable if spin produces torsion according to the Einstein-Cartan theory of gravity.
We study scalar, fermionic and gauge fields coupled nonminimally to gravity in the Einstein-Cartan formulation. We construct a wide class of models with nondynamical torsion whose gravitational spectra comprise only the massless graviton. Eliminating non-propagating degrees of freedom, we derive an equivalent theory in the metric formulation of gravity. It features contact interactions of a certain form between and among the matter and gauge currents. We also discuss briefly the inclusion of curvature-squared terms.
In this paper, we have considered the g-essence and its particular cases, k-essence and f-essence, within the framework of the Einstein-Cartan theory. We have shown that a single fermionic field can give rise to the accelerated expansion within the Einstein-Cartan theory. The exact analytical solution of the Einstein-Cartan-Dirac equations is found. This solution describes the accelerated expansion of the Universe with the equation of state parameter $w=-1$ as in the case of $Λ$CDM model.
The existence and stability of the Einstein static solution have been built in the Einstein-Cartan gravity. We show that this solution in the presence of perfect fluid with spin density satisfying the Weyssenhoff restriction is cyclically stable around a center equilibrium point. Thus, study of this solution is interesting because it supports non-singular emergent cosmological models in which the early universe oscillates indeterminately about an initial Einstein static solution and is thus past eternal.
We show how Einstein-Cartan gravity can accommodate both global scale and local scale (Weyl) invariance. To this end, we construct a wide class of models with nonpropagaing torsion and a nonminimally coupled scalar field. In phenomenological applications the scalar field is associated with the Higgs boson. For global scale invariance, an additional field -- dilaton -- is needed to make the theory phenomenologically viable. In the case of the Weyl symmetry, the dilaton is spurious and the theory reduces to a sub-class of one-field models. In both scenarios of scale invariance, we derive an equi…
This article presents detailed discussions and calculations of the recent paper "Quantum Regge calculus of Einstein-Cartan theory" in Phys. Lett. B682 (2009) 300. The Euclidean space-time is discretized by a four-dimensional simplicial complex. We adopt basic tetrad and spin-connection fields to describe the simplicial complex. By introducing diffeomorphism and local Lorentz invariant holonomy fields, we construct a regularized Einstein-Cartan theory for studying the quantum dynamics of the simplicial complex and fermion fields. This regularized Einstein-Cartan action is shown to properly appr…
The present paper analyses the Einstein-Cartan theory of gravitation with Elko spinors as sources of curvature and torsion. After minimally coupling the Elko spinors to torsion, the spin angular momentum tensor is derived and its structure is discussed. It shows a much richer structure than the Dirac analogue and hence it is demonstrated that spin one half particles do not necessarily yield only an axial vector torsion component. Moreover, it is argued that the presence of Elko spinors partially solves the problem of minimally coupling Maxwell fields to Einstein-Cartan theory.
We study the Quantum Regge Calculus of Einstein-Cartan theory to describe quantum dynamics of Euclidean space-time discretized as a 4-simplices complex. Tetrad field e_μ(x) and spin-connection field ω_μ(x) are assigned to each 1-simplex. Applying the torsion-free Cartan structure equation to each 2-simplex, we discuss parallel transports and construct a diffeomorphism and {\it local} gauge-invariant Einstein-Cartan action. Invariant holonomies of tetrad and spin-connection fields along large loops are also given. Quantization is defined by a bounded partition function with the measure of SO(4)…
We introduce bosonic (p - 1)-form fields that couple to the spin connection of the Einstein-Cartan theory of gravity thus becoming a non-trivial source of space-time torsion. We analyze all the general features of both the matter and the gravitational sectors of the theory. Finally we briefly consider the implications of the existence of such fields in different physical settings.
We study gravity coupled to scalar and fermion fields in the Einstein-Cartan framework. We discuss the most general form of the action that contains terms of mass dimension not bigger than four, leaving out only contributions quadratic in curvature. By resolving the theory explicitly for torsion, we arrive at an equivalent metric theory containing additional six-dimensional operators. This lays the groundwork for cosmological studies of the theory. We also perform the same analysis for a no-scale scenario in which the Planck mass is eliminated at the cost of adding an extra scalar degree of fr…
Einstein-Cartan gravity which is an alternative formulation of general relativity introduces new degrees of freedom contained in the torsion field which encodes the torsion feature of spacetime. Interestingly, the torsion field couples to all fermions through its axial-vector mode with a universal coupling $η=1/8$ which is possible to change under the quantum effects. We argue that Einstein-Cartan gravity provides a significant portal to probe $A'$ dark gauge boson which resides in dark sector existing as an invisible world parallel to our own and couples to the standard model (SM) particles t…
A modification of Kaluza-Klein theory is proposed in which, as a result of a symmetry breaking, five-dimensional space-time is partially parallelized implying the appearance of torsion fields. A naturally chosen action functional leads to the Einstein-Cartan-Maxwell theory where the electromagnetic field strength is represented by the fifth component of the torsion 2-form. Incorporation of a scalar field reveals that four-dimensional space-time torsion is not induced by the scalar field.
The rotational dynamics of an $N$-body system at the first post-Newtonian order in Einstein-Cartan theory is derived. This result is achieved by performing the point-particle limit of the equations of motion of the Weyssenhoff fluid, which models the quantum spin effects residing inside the bodies. For the special case of binary systems, we determine the Lagrangian function and the resulting first integrals underlying the translational dynamics and the spin precession.
Diakonov formulated a model of a primordial Dirac spinor field interacting gravitationally within the geometric framework of the Poincaré gauge theory (PGT). Thus, the gravitational field variables are the orthonormal coframe (tetrad) and the Lorentz connection. A simple gravitational gauge Lagrangian is the Einstein-Cartan choice proportional to the curvature scalar plus a cosmological term. In Diakonov's model the coframe is eliminated by expressing it in terms of the primordial spinor. We derive the corresponding field equations for the first time. We extend the Diakonov model by additional…
We consider conformally invariant form of the actions in Einstein, Weyl, Einstein-Cartan and Einstein-Cartan-Weyl space in general dimensions($>2$) and investigate the relations among them. In Weyl space, the observational consistency condition for the vector field determining non-metricity of the connection can be obtained from the equation of motion. In Einstein-Cartan space a similar role is played by the vector part of the torsion tensor. We consider the case where the trace part of the torsion is the Kalb-Ramond type of field. In this case, we express conformally invariant action in terms…
In the context of Einstein-Cartan theory of gravity, we consider a Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) cosmological model with Weyssenhoff perfect fluid. We focus attention on those classical solutions that admit a degenerate metric in which the scale factor has smooth behavior in the transition from a Euclidean to a Lorentzian domain. It is shown that the spin-spin contact interaction enables one to obtain such a signature changing solutions due to the Riemann-Cartan ($U_4$) structure of space-time.
Based on preliminary analysis of the Hamiltonian formulation of the first order Einstein-Cartan action (arXiv:0902.0856 [gr-qc] and arXiv:0907.1553 [gr-qc]) we derive the Darboux coordinates, which are a unique and uniform change of variables preserving equivalence with the original action in all spacetime dimensions higher than two. Considerable simplification of the Hamiltonian formulation using the Darboux coordinates, compared with direct analysis, is explicitly demonstrated. Even an incomplete Hamiltonian analysis in combination with known symmetries of the Einstein-Cartan action and the …
We derive the Schrödinger-Newton equation as the non-relativistic limit of the Einstein-Dirac equations. Our analysis relaxes the assumption of spherical symmetry, made in earlier work in the literature, while deriving this limit. Since the spin of the Dirac field couples naturally to torsion, we generalize our analysis to the Einstein Cartan-Dirac (ECD) equations, again recovering the Schrödinger-Newton equation.
We derive the fixed-$Λ$ and unimodular propagators using the path integral formalism as applied to the Einstein-Cartan action. The simplicity of the action (which is linear in the lapse function) allows for an exact integration starting from the lapse function and the enforcement of the Hamiltonian constraint, leading to a product of Chern-Simons states if the connection is fixed at the endpoints. No saddle point approximation is needed. Should the metric be fixed at the endpoints, then, depending on the contour chosen for the connection, Hartle-Hawking or Vilenkin propagators are obtained. Th…
In this paper we investigate the gravitational-wave generation problem at the first post-Newtonian order in the context of Einstein-Cartan theory by exploiting the Blanchet-Damour formalism. The quantum intrinsic spin carried by slowly moving, weakly stressed, weakly self-gravitating sources is described geometrically by means of the torsion tensor. We obtain the expression of the source multipole moments with the required accuracy. The analysis of the physical meaning of the lowest-order non-radiative moments and of the asymptotic gravitational waveform is also performed. Eventually, we draw …
Holst term represents an interesting addition to the Einstein-Cartan theory of gravity with torsion. When this term is present the contact interactions between vector and axial vector fermion currents gain an extra parity-violating component. We re-derive this interaction using a simple representation for the Holst term. The same representation serves as a useful basis for the calculation of one-loop divergences in the theory with external fermionic currents and cosmological constant. Furthermore, we explore the possibilities of the on-shell version of renormalization group and construct the e…
This paper reviews the Einstein Cartan theory (ECT), the famous extension of general relativity (GR) in presence of spacetime torsion. The vacuum equations are derived step by step. Vielbein formulation is discussed for determining the field equations in presence of matter. This review would be easily comprehensible for any student familiar with general relativity. Further, ECT is used to describe superstrings with intrinsic torsion, assuming a $D_p$-brane in presence of a curved background of the NS-NS Kalb-Ramond field. D-brane worldvolume is a flat spacetime governed by the Dirac-Born-Infel…
By introducing diffeomorphism and local Lorentz gauge invariant holonomy fields, we study in the recent article [S.-S. Xue, Phys. Rev. D82 (2010) 064039] the quantum Einstein-Cartan gravity in the framework of Regge calculus. On the basis of strong coupling expansion, mean-field approximation and dynamical equations satisfied by holonomy fields, we present in this Letter calculations and discussions to show the phase structure of the quantum Einstein-Cartan gravity, (i) the order phase: long-range condensations of holonomy fields in strong gauge couplings; (ii) the disorder phase: short-range …
On the basis of an algebraic relation between torsion and a classical spinor field a new interpretation of Einstein-Cartan gravity interacting with classical spinor field is proposed. In this approach the spinor field becomes an auxiliary field and the dynamical equation for this field (the Heisenberg equation) is a dynamical, gravitational equation for torsion. The simplest version of this theory is examined where the metric degrees of freedom are frozen and only torsion plays a role. A spherically symmetric solution of this theory is examined. This solution can be interpreted, in the spirit …
Unimodular gravity is an interesting approach to address the cosmological constant problem, since the vacuum energy density of quantum fields does not gravitate in this framework, and the cosmological constant appears as an integration constant. These features arise as a consequence of considering a constrained volume element 4-form that breaks the diffeomorphisms invariance down to volume preserving diffeomorphisms. In this work, the first-order formulation of unimodular gravity is presented by considering the spin density of matter fields as a source of spacetime torsion. Even though the mos…
We demonstrate that from the first order formulation of the Einstein-Cartan action it is possible to derive the basic differential identity that leads to translational invariance of the action in the tangent space. The transformations of fields is written explicitly for both the first and second order formulations and the group properties of transformations are studied. This, combined with the preliminary results from the Hamiltonian formulation (arXiv:0907.1553 [gr-qc]), allows us to conclude that without any modification, the Einstein-Cartan action in any dimension higher than two possesses …
We propose a modification of Einstein-Cartan gravity equations. The modified cosmology departs from the standard model of cosmology for small Hubble parameter. A characteristic Hubble scale h0, which is intrinsically related to cosmological constant, marks the boundary between the validity domains of the standard model of cosmology and modified cosmology. For large Hubble parameter, the standard model of cosmology is restored. In the opposite limit of small Hubble parameter, which is the case for present epoch, Lorentz-violating effects would manifest themselves. One of the implications is tha…
We study inflation driven by the Higgs field in the Einstein-Cartan formulation of gravity. In this theory, the presence of the Holst and Nieh-Yan terms with the Higgs field non-minimally coupled to them leads to three additional coupling constants. For a broad range of parameters, we find that inflation is both possible and consistent with observations. In most cases, the spectral index is given by $n_s=1-2/N_\star$ (with $N_\star$ the number of e-foldings) whereas the tensor-to-scalar ratio $r$ can vary between about $10^{-10}$ and $1$. Thus, there are scenarios of Higgs inflation in the Ein…
Two of the major open questions in particle physics are: (1) Why are the elementary fermionic particles that are so far observed have such low mass-energy compared to the Planck energy scale? And (2), what mechanical energy may be counterbalancing the divergent electrostatic and strong force energies of point-like charged fermions in the vicinity of the Planck scale? In this paper, using a hitherto unrecognized mechanism derived from the non-linear amelioration of Dirac equation known as the Hehl-Datta equation within Einstein-Cartan-Sciama-Kibble (ECSK) extension of general relativity, we pre…
We formulate the Einstein-Cartan-Dirac equations in the Newman-Penrose (NP) formalism, thereby presenting a more accurate and explicit analysis of previous such studies. The equations show in a transparent way how the Einstein-Dirac equations are modified by the inclusion of torsion. In particular, the Hehl-Datta equation is presented in NP notation. We then describe a few solutions of the Hehl-Datta equation on Minkowski space-time, and in particular report a solitonic solution which removes the unphysical behavioiur of the corresponding Dirac solution. The present work serves as a prelude to…
A general geometric construction of a generic null hypersurface in presence of torsion in the spacetime (Riemann-Cartan background), generated by a null vector $l^a$, is being developed here. We then explicitly define and structure various corresponding kinematical quantities. The dynamics of the null surface, particularly given by $\hat{G}_{ab}k^al^b$, is also discussed. The later one is constructed under the {\it geodesic constraint} condition. This yields a relation among the rate of change of expansion scalar corresponding to auxiliary null vector $k^a$ and various kinematical entities on …
The identification of a suitable gravitational energy in theories of gravity has a long history, and it is well known that a unique answer cannot be given. In the first part of this paper we present a streamlined version of the derivation of Freud's superpotential in general relativity. It is found if we once integrate the gravitational field equation by parts. This allows us to extend these results directly to the Einstein-Cartan theory. Interestingly, Freud's original expression, first stated in 1939, remains valid even when considering gravitational theories in Riemann-Cartan or, more gener…
We derive the equations of motion for an $N$-body system in the Einstein-Cartan gravity theory at the first post-Newtonian order by exploiting the Weyssenhoff fluid as the spin model. Our approach consists in performing the point-particle limit of the continuous description of the gravitational source. The final equations provide a hint for the validity of the effacing principle at 1PN level in Einstein-Cartan model. The analogies with the general relativistic dynamics involving the macroscopic angular momentum are also discussed.
Cosmologies based on General Relativity encompassing an anti-symmetric connection (torsion) can display nice desirable features as the absence of the initial singularity and the possibility of inflation in the early stage of the universe. After briefly reviewing the standard approach to the cosmology with torsion, we generalize it to demonstrate that several theories of torsion gravity are possible using different choices of the diffeomorphic invariants in the Lagrangians. As a result, distinct cosmologies emerge. In all of them it is possible that the universe avoids the initial singularity a…
The Hamiltonian formulation of N-bein, Einstein-Cartan, gravity, using its first order form in any dimension higher than two, is analyzed. This Hamiltonian formulation allows to explicitly show where peculiarities of three dimensional case (\textit{A.M.Frolov et al, 0902.0856 [gr-qc]}) occur and make a conjecture, based on presented in this report results, that there is one general for \textit{all} dimensions characteristic of N-bein formulation of gravity: after elimination of second class constraints the algebra of Poisson brackets among remaining first class secondary constraints is the Poi…
We show that the horizon geometry for supersymmetric black hole solutions of minimal five-dimensional gauged supergravity is that of a particular Einstein-Cartan-Weyl (ECW) structure in three dimensions, involving the trace and traceless part of both torsion and nonmetricity, and obeying some precise constraints. In the limit of zero cosmological constant, the set of nonlinear partial differential equations characterizing this ECW structure reduces correctly to that of a hyper-CR Einstein-Weyl structure in the Gauduchon gauge, which was shown by Dunajski, Gutowski and Sabra to be the horizon g…
In the present paper we consider a theory of gravity in which not only curvature but also torsion is explicitly present in the Lagrangian, both with their own coupling constant. In particular, we discuss the couplings to Dirac fields and spin fluids: in the case of Dirac fields, we discuss how in our approach, the Dirac self-interactions depend on the coupling constant as a parameter that may even make these non-linearities manifest at subatomic scales, showing different applications according to the value of the parameter we have assigned; in the case of spin fluids, we discuss FLRW cosmologi…
The generation of gravitational waves from a post-Newtonian source endowed with a quantum spin, modeled by the Weyssenhoff fluid, is investigated in the context of Einstein-Cartan theory at the first post-Newtonian level by resorting to the Blanchet-Damour formalism. After having worked out the basic principles of the hydrodynamics in Einstein-Cartan framework, we study the Weyssenhoff fluid within the post-Newtonian approximation scheme. The complexity of the underlying dynamical equations suggests to employ a discrete description via the point-particle limit, a procedure which permits the an…
It is well-known since the works of Utiyama and Kibble that the gravitational force can be obtained by gauging the Poincaré group, which puts gravity on the same footing as the Standard Model fields. The resulting theory -- Einstein-Cartan gravity -- inevitably contains four-fermion and scalar-fermion interactions that originate from torsion associated with spin degrees of freedom. We show that these interactions lead to a novel mechanism for producing singlet fermions in the Early Universe. These fermions can play the role of dark matter particles. The mechanism is operative in a large range …
The dynamical evolution of the Hajicek $1$-form is derived in Einstein-Cartan (EC) theory. We find that like Einstein theory of gravity, the evolution equation is related to a projected part of the Einstein tensor $(\hat{G}_{ab})$ on a generic null surface $\mathcal{H}$, particularly $\hat{G}_{ab}l^a q^b_{~c}$, where $l^a$ and $q^a_{~c}$ are the outgoing null generators of $\mathcal{H}$ and the induced metric to a transverse spatial cross-section of $\mathcal{H}$ respectively. Under the {\it geodesic constraint} a possible fluid interpretation of this evolution equation is then proposed. We fi…
We provide a method of converting Lagrange and Finsler spaces and their Legendre transforms to Hamilton and Cartan spaces into almost Kaehler structures on tangent and cotangent bundles. In particular cases, the Hamilton spaces contain nonholonomic lifts of (pseudo) Riemannian / Einstein metrics on effective phase spaces. This allows us to define the corresponding Fedosov operators and develop deformation quantization schemes for nonlinear mechanical and gravity models on Lagrange- and Hamilton-Fedosov manifolds.
Einstein-Cartan theory is an extension of the standard formulation of General Relativity characterized by a non-vanishing torsion. The latter is sourced by the matter fields via the spin tensor, and its effects are expected to be important at very high spin densities. In this work we analyze in detail the physics of Einstein-Cartan theory with Dirac and Maxwell fields minimally coupled to the spacetime torsion. This breaks the $U(1)$ gauge symmetry, which is suggested by the possibility of a torsion-induced phase transition in the early Universe. The resulting Dirac-like and Maxwell-like equat…
Gravitational stability of torsion and inflaton potential in a four-dimensional spacetime de Sitter solution in scalar-tensor cosmology where Cartan torsion propagates is investigated in detail. Inflaton and torsion evolution equations are derived by making use of a Lagrangean method. Stable and unstable modes for torsion and inflatons are found. Present astrophysical observations favour a stable mode for torsion since this would explain why no relic torsion imprint has been found on the Cosmic Background Radiation in the universe.
In this paper, we use a new asymptotically flat and spherically symmetric solution in the generalized Einstein-Cartan-Kibble-Sciama (ECKS) theory of gravity to study the weak gravitational lensing and its shadow cast. To this end, we first compute the weak deflection angle of generalized ECKS black hole using the Gauss-Bonnet theorem in plasma medium and in vacuum. Next by using the Newman-Janis algorithm without complexification, we derive the rotating generalized ECKS black hole and in the sequel study its shadow. Then, we discuss the effects of the ECKS parameter on the weak deflection angl…
In this paper we analyze the functional renormalization group flow of quantum gravity on the Einstein-Cartan theory space. The latter consists of all action functionals depending on the spin connection and the vielbein field (co-frame) which are invariant under both spacetime diffeomorphisms and local frame rotations. In the first part of the paper we develop a general methodology and corresponding calculational tools which can be used to analyze the flow equation for the pertinent effective average action for any truncation of this theory space. In the second part we apply it to a specific th…
