English

Arbitrary p-form Galileons

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2014-11-21 v2 High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

We show that scalar, 0-form, Galileon actions --models whose field equations contain only second derivatives-- can be generalized to arbitrary even p-forms. More generally, they need not even depend on a single form, but may involve mixed p combinations, including equal p multiplets, where odd p-fields are also permitted: We construct, for given dimension D, general actions depending on scalars, vectors and higher p-form field strengths, whose field equations are of exactly second derivative order. We also discuss and illustrate their curved-space generalizations, especially the delicate non-minimal couplings required to maintain this order. Concrete examples of pure and mixed actions, field equations and their curved space extensions are presented.

Cite

@article{arxiv.1007.5278,
  title  = {Arbitrary p-form Galileons},
  author = {C. Deffayet and S. Deser and G. Esposito-Farese},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1007.5278},
  year   = {2014}
}

Comments

8 pages, no figure, RevTeX4 format, v2: minor editorial changes reflecting the published version in PRD Rapid Communications

R2 v1 2026-06-21T15:54:48.220Z