We investigate the possibility of reducing the number of degrees of freedom (d.o.f.) starting from generic metric theories of gravity by introducing multiple auxiliary constraints (ACs), under the restriction of retaining spatial covariance as a gauge symmetry. Arbitrary numbers of scalar-, vector- and tensor-type ACs are considered a priori, yet we find that no vector- and tensor-type constraints should be introduced, and that scalar-type ACs should be no more than four for the purpose of constructing minimally modified gravity (MMG) theories which propagate only two tensorial d.o.f., like general relativity (GR). Through a detailed Hamiltonian analysis, we exhaust all the possible classifications of ACs and find out the corresponding minimalizing and symmetrizing conditions for obtaining the MMG theories. In particular, no condition is required in the case of four ACs, hence in this case the theory can couple with matter consistently and naturally. To illustrate our formalism, we build a concrete model for this specific case by using the Cayley-Hamilton theorem and derive the dispersion relation of the gravitational waves, which is subject to constraints from the observations.
Working directly with a general Hamiltonian for the spacetime metric with the $3+1$ decomposition and keeping only the spatial covariance, we investigate the possibility of reducing the number of degrees of freedom by introducing an auxiliary constraint. The auxiliary constraint is considered as part of the definition of the theory. Through a general Hamiltonian analysis, we find the conditions for the Hamiltonian as well as for the auxiliary constraint, under which the theory propagates two tensorial degrees of freedom only. The class of theories satisfying these conditions can be viewed as a…
Minimally modified gravity is a class of models with only the two tensor degrees of freedom as in general relativity. Using the framework with auxiliary constraints these models can maintain a dynamical cosmological background. The form of the constraints is thereby restricted by the requirement of dynamical dark energy and the avoidance of a breakdown of perturbation theory. Studying the linear perturbations around the FLRW background the results are, however, quite insensitive to the details of the constraints leading to a modified effective gravitational constant or a non-vanishing sound sp…
The inflationary dynamics and preheating in a model with a non-minimally coupled inflaton field in the metric and Palatini formalisms are studied in this paper. We find that in both formalisms, irrespective of the initial conditions, our Universe will evolve into a slow-roll inflationary era and then the scalar field rolls into an oscillating phase. The value of the scalar field at the end of the inflation in the Palatini formalism is always larger than that in the metric one, which becomes more and more obvious with the increase of the absolute value of the coupling parameter $|ξ|$. During th…
In this work, we show the effect of the non-minimal coupling $ξϕ^2 R$ on the inflationary parameters by considering the single-field inflation and present the inflationary predictions of the appealing potential for the particle physics viewpoint: Natural Inflation, an axion-like inflaton which has a cosine-type periodic potential and the inflaton naturally emerges as a pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson with a spontaneously broken global symmetry. We present the inflationary predictions for this potential, $n_s$, $r$, and $α=\mathrm{d}n_s/\mathrm{d}\ln k$. In addition, we assume standard thermal his…
When considered in the Palatini formalism, the Starobinsky model does not provide us with a mechanism for inflation due to the absence of a propagating scalar degree of freedom. By (non)--minimally coupling scalar fields to the Starobinsky model in the Palatini formalism we can in principle describe the inflationary epoch. In this article, we focus on the minimally coupled quartic and natural inflation models. Both theories are excluded in their simplest realization since they predict values for the inflationary observables that are outside the limits set by the Planck data. However, with the …
Minimally modified gravity with Laplacian auxiliary constraints and an inflationary realization
The Institute for Fundamental Study (The Tah Poe Academia Institute), Naresuan University（那莱王大学基础研究所（塔波学术学院））；Center for Gravitational Physics and Quantum Information, Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kyoto University（京都大学汤川理论物理中心引力物理与量子信息）
We propose a modified gravity theory that propagates only two local gravitational degrees of freedom and that does not have an Einstein frame. According to the classification in JCAP 01 (2019) 017 [arXiv:1810.01047 [gr-qc]], this is a type-II minimally modified gravity theory. The theory is characterized by the gravitational constant $G_{\rm N}$ and a function $V(ϕ)$ of a non-dynamical auxiliary field $ϕ$ that plays the role of dark energy. Once one fixes a homogeneous and isotropic cosmological background, the form of $V(ϕ)$ is determined and the theory no longer possesses a free parameter or…
We study cosmology in a class of minimally modified gravity (MMG) with two local gravitational degrees of freedom. We classify modified gravity theories into type-I and type-II: theories of type-I have an Einstein frame and can be recast by change of variables as general relativity (GR) with a non-minimal matter coupling, while theories of type-II have no Einstein frame. Considering a canonical transformation of the lapse, the 3-dimensional induced metric and their conjugate momenta we generate type-I MMG. We then show that phenomenological deviations from GR, such as the speed of gravitationa…
In this paper, we investigated inflationary solutions for a subclass of Horndeski models where a scalar field is non-minimally coupled with the Gauss-Bonnet invariant. Examples of canonical scalar field and $k$-essence to support the early-time acceleration are considered. The formalism to calculate the perturbations in FRW universe and to derive the spectral index and the tensor-to-scalar ratio is furnished.
We discuss the introduction of a non minimal coupling between the inflaton and gravity in terms of the recently proposed $β$-function formalism for inflation\cite{Binetruy:2014zya}. Via a field redefinition we reduce to the case of minimally coupled theories. The universal attractor at strong coupling has a simple explanation in terms of the new field. Generalizations are discussed and the possibility of evading the universal attractor is shown.
In de Sitter ambient space formalism, the massless minimally coupled scalar field can be constructed from a massless conformally coupled scalar field and a constant five-vector $A^α$. Also, a constant five-vector $B^α$ appears in the interaction Lagrangian of massless minimally coupled scalar and spinor fields in this formalism. These constant five-vector fields can be fixed in the interaction case in the null curvature limit. Here we will calculate the $\cal S$ matrix elements of scalar-spinor fields interaction in the tree level approximation. Then the constant five-vectors $A^α$ and $B^α$, …
We use the 1+1+2 covariant approach to clarify a number of aspects of spherically symmetric solutions of non-minimally coupled scalar tensor theories. Particular attention is focused on the extension of Birkhoff's theorem and the nature of quasi-local horizons in this context.
We study a large family of metric-affine theories with a projective symmetry, including non-minimally coupled matter fields which respect this invariance. The symmetry is straightforwardly realised by imposing that the connection only enters through the symmetric part of the Ricci tensor, even in the matter sector. We leave the connection completely free (including torsion) and obtain its general solution as the Levi-Civita connection of an auxiliary metric, showing that the torsion only appears as a projective mode. This result justifies the widely used condition of setting vanishing torsion …
We construct a group field theory model for quantum gravity minimally coupled to relativistic scalar fields, defining as well a corresponding discrete gravity path integral (and, implicitly, a coupled spin foam model) in its Feynman expansion. We also analyze a number of variations of the same model, the corresponding discrete gravity path integrals, its generalization to the coupling of multiple scalar fields and discuss its possible applications to the extraction of effective cosmological dynamics from the full quantum gravity formalism, in the context of group field theory condensate cosmol…
We propose a new cosmological framework in which the strength of the gravitational force acted on dark matter at late time can be weaker than that on the standard matter fields without introducing extra gravitational degrees of freedom. The framework integrates dark matter into a type-II minimally modified gravity that was recently proposed as a dark energy mimicker. The idea that makes such a framework possible consists of coupling a dark matter Lagrangian and a cosmological constant to the metric in a canonically transformed frame of general relativity (GR). On imposing a gauge fixing constr…
We review the Schrödinger picture of field theory in curved spacetime and using this formalism, the power spectrum of massive non-interacting, minimally coupled scalars in a fixed de Sitter background is obtained. To calculate the N-point function in Schrödinger field theory, the "in-in" formalism is extended in the Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) universe. We compute the three-point function for primordial scalar field fluctuation in the single field inflation by this in-in formalism. The results are the same as the three-point function in the Heisenberg picture.
We construct higher-derivative gravities with a non-minimally coupled Maxwell field. The Lagrangian consists of polynomial invariants built from the Riemann tensor and the Maxwell field strength in such a way that the equations of motion are second order for both the metric and the Maxwell potential. We also generalize the construction to involve a generic non-minimally coupled $p$-form field strength. We then focus on one low-lying example in four dimensions and construct the exact magnetically-charged black holes. We also construct exact electrically-charged $z=2$ Lifshitz black holes. We ob…
The massless minimally coupled scalar field in de Sitter ambient space formalism might play a similar role to what the Higgs scalar field accomplishes within the electroweak standard model. With the introduction of a "local transformation" for this field, the interaction Lagrangian between the scalar field and the spinor field can be made similar to a gauge theory. In the null curvature limit, the Yukawa potential can be constructed from that Lagrangian. Finally the one-loop correction of the scalar-spinor interaction is presented, which is free of any infrared divergence.
Minimally modified gravity theories are modifications of general relativity with two local gravitational degrees of freedom in four dimensions. Their construction relies on the breaking of 4D diffeomorphism invariance keeping however the symmetry under 3D diffeomorphisms. Here, we construct these theories from a Hamiltonian point of view. We start with the phase space of general relativity in the ADM formalism. Then, we find the conditions that the Hamiltonian must satisfy for the theory to propagate (up to) two gravitational degrees of freedom with the assumptions that the lapse and the shift…
The scalar-spinor interaction Lagrangian is presented by the Yukawa potential. In dS ambient space formalism, the interaction Lagrangian of scalar-spinor fields was obtained from a new transformation which is very similar to the guage theory. The interaction of massless minimally coupled scalar and spinor fields was investigated. The Minkowski limit of the massless minimally coupled scalar field and massive spinor field interaction in the ambient space formalism of de Sitter space time is calculated. The interaction Lagrangian and massless minimally coupled scalar field in the null curvature l…
We study the Hamiltonian formalism of the non-minimally coupled Weyl connection gravity (NMCWCG) in order to check whether Ostrogradsky instabilities are present. The Hamiltonian of the NMCWCG theories is obtained by foliating space-time into a real line (representing time) and \mbox{3-dimensional} space-like hypersurfaces, and by considering the spatial metric and the extrinsic curvature of the hypersurfaces as the canonical coordinates of the theory. Given the fact that the theory we study contains an additional dynamical vector field compared to the usual NMC models, which do not have Ostro…
In this letter we study the behavior of non-minimally coupled Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity theories with the constant-roll condition. Recalling the results of the striking GW170817 event, we demand that the velocity of the gravitational waves is equated to unity in natural units, meaning that $c_T^2=1$. This is a powerful restriction since it leads to a decrease in the degrees of freedom and subsequently reveals a connection between the scalar functions of the theory which presumably have different origins. In this framework, we shall assume that a scalar potential is present and can be extra…
It is shown here that symmetric hyperbolicity, which guarantees well-posedness, leads to a set of two inequalities for matrices whose elements are determined by a given theory. As a part of the calculation, carried out in a mostly-covariant formalism, the general form for the symmetrizer, valid for a general Lagrangian theory, was obtained. When applied to nonlinear electromagnetism linearly coupled to curvature, the inequalities lead to strong constraints on the relevant quantities, which were illustrated with applications to particular cases. The examples show that non-linearity leads to con…
In de Sitter ambient space formalism, the linear gravity can be written in terms of a minimally coupled scalar field and a polarization tensor. In this formalism, the massless minimally coupled scalar field can be quantized on Bunch-Davies vacuum state, that preserves the de Sitter invariance, the analyticity and removes the infrared divergence. The de Sitter quantum linear gravity is then constructed on Bunch-Davies vacuum state, which is also covariant, analytic and free of any infrared divergences. We will conclude that the unique Bunch-Davies vacuum state can be used adequately to construc…
A special class of higher curvature theories of gravity, Ricci Cubic Gravity (RCG), in general d dimensional space-time has been investigated in this paper. We have used two different approaches, the linearized equations of motion and auxiliary field formalism to study the massive and massless graviton propagating modes of the AdS background. Using the auxiliary field formalism, we have found the renormalized boundary stress tensor to compute the mass of Schwarzschild AdS and Lifshitz black holes in RCG theory.
This thesis presents research exploring aspects of inflation and cosmology in the context of inflation models in which an inflaton is non-minimally coupled to the Ricci scalar, or is considered in conjunction with a term quadratic in the Ricci scalar. We consider a $ϕ^{2}$ Palatini inflation model in $R^{2}$ gravity and investigate whether this model can overcome some of the problems of the original $ϕ^{2}$ chaotic inflation model. We investigate the compatibility of this model with the observed CMB when treated as an effective theory of inflation in quantum gravity by examining the constraint…
In the de Sitter ambient space formalism the massless fields, which include the linear gravity and massless minimally coupled scalar field, can be written in terms of two separate parts: a massless conformally coupled scalar field and a polarization tensor(-spinor) part. Therefore due to the massless conformally coupled scalar field, there exist an unique Bunch-Davies vacuum state for quantum field theory in the de Sitter space time. In the de Sitter ambient space formalism one can show that the massless fields with spin $s\geq 1$ are gauge invariant. By coupling the massless gauge spin-$2$ an…
We consider the massless minimally coupled scalar field in the de Sitter ambient space formalism as a gauge potential or connection field. We construct the scalar gauge theory by helping an arbitrary constant five-vector field $B^α$ analogous to the standard gauge theory. The Lagrangian density of the interaction between the scalar and spinor fields is presented in this framework. The Yukawa potential can be extracted from this Lagrangian density at the null curvature limit by an appropriate choice of a constant five-vector field. It is shown that the de Sitter ambient space formalism permits …
We apply Starobinsky's formalism of stochastic inflation to the case of a minimally coupled scalar field with linear self-interaction potential. We solve the corresponding Fokker-Planck equation exactly, and obtain analytical expressions for the stochastic expectation values.
We discuss how the non-minimal coupling $ξϕ^2 R$ between the inflaton and the Ricci scalar affects predictions of single field inflation models in Palatini formalism. To transition radiation dominated era, the inflaton field $ϕ$ must interact to matter fields at the end of inflation. Interactions of the inflaton with other fields lead to radiative corrections to the inflationary potential. These radiative corrections can be explained at leading order by Coleman-Weinberg (CW) one-loop corrections. In this work, using two different prescriptions debated in the literature, the effect of radiative…
We provide a field-theoretic algorithm of obtaining energy momentum tensor (EMT) for gravitationally coupled theories. The method is based on an auxiliary field theory and equally applicable to both minimal and non-minimal coupling. The algorithm illuminates the connection between the EMT, obtained by functional variation of the metric, and local balance of energy and momentum. Our method is of cardinal value for the proper identification of the EMT in context of non-minimally coupled gravity theories.
In this work, we examine a family of $pp$-wave solutions of Minimal Massive 3d Gravity (MMG) minimally coupled with the Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory. An elaborate investigation of the field equations shows that the theory admits $pp$-wave solutions provided that there exist an anti-self duality relation between the electric and the magnetic components of the Maxwell 2-form field. By employing Noether-Wald formalism, we also construct Noether charges of the theory within exterior algebra formalism.
Relating auxiliary field formulations of $4d$ duality-invariant and $2d$ integrable field theories
School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland（昆士兰大学数学与物理学院）；Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics (APCTP), Postech（韩国科学技术院亚太理论物理中心）；High Energy Physics Research Unit, Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University（朱拉隆功大学理学院高能物理研究组）
In this paper, we investigate thick branes generated by a scalar field in mimetic gravity theory. By introducing two auxiliary super-potentials, we transform the second-order field equations of the system into a set of first-order equations. With this first-order formalism, several types of analytical thick brane solutions are obtained. Then, tensor and scalar perturbations are analysed. We find that both kinds of perturbations are stable. The effective potentials for the tensor and scalar perturbations are dual to each other. The tensor zero mode can be localized on the brane while the scalar…
In this article, we develop the formalism for singular hypersurfaces and junction conditions in generalized coupling theories using a variational approach. We then employ this formalism to examine the behavior of sharp matter density gradients in generalized coupling theories. We find that such gradients do not necessarily lead to the pathologies present in other theories of gravity with auxiliary fields. A detailed example, based on a simple instance of a generalized coupling theory called the MEMe model, is also provided. In the static case, we show that sharp boundaries do not generate sing…
