Related papers: Test-field limit of metric nonlinear gravity theor…
We consider the non-linear massive gravity as a theory of a number of St\"uckelberg scalar fields minimally coupled to the Einstein-Hilbert gravity and argue that the counting of degrees of freedom can be done for scalar theory and gravity…
It is shown that modified gravity theories with a Lagrangian composed of the three quadratic invariants of the Riemann curvature tensor are not appropriate. The field equations are either incompatible and/or irregular [like f(R)-gravities],…
We investigate a class of gravity theories respecting only spatial covariance, termed spatially covariant gravity, in the presence of an auxiliary scalar field. We examine the conditions on the Lagrangian required to eliminate scalar…
General relativity postulates that the gravity field is defined on a Riemannian manifold. The field equations are $R^\mu_\nu = 0$ i.e. Ricci's curvature tensor vanishes. The field equations have to be augmented by natural physical…
A class of gravity theories respecting spatial covariance and in the presence of non-dynamical auxiliary scalar fields with only spatial derivatives is investigated. Generally, without higher temporal derivatives in the metric sector, there…
Modifications of General Relativity usually include extra dynamical degrees of freedom, which to date remain undetected. Here we explore the possibility of modifying Einstein's theory by adding solely nondynamical fields. With the minimal…
A new, field-theory-based framework for discussing and interpreting tests of gravity, notably at the second post-Newtonian (2PN) level, is introduced. Contrary to previous frameworks which attempted at parametrizing any conceivable…
Conformal fields in flat space-time of even dimension greater than or equal to four are studied. Second-derivative formulation for spin 0,1,2 conformal bosonic fields and first-derivative formulation for spin 1/2,3/2 conformal fermionic…
A fundamental criterion of viability of any gravity theory is existence of a stable ground-state solution being either Minkowski, dS or AdS space. Stability of the ground state is independent of which frame is physical. In general, a given…
We present a systematic exposition of the Lagrangian field theory for the massive spin-two field generated in higher-derivative gravity. It has been noticed by various authors that this nonlinear field overcomes the well known inconsistency…
We discuss mimetic gravity theories with direct couplings between the curvature and higher derivatives of the scalar field, up to the quintic order, which were proposed to solve the instability problem for linear perturbations around the…
We consider theories describing the dynamics of a four-dimensional metric, whose Lagrangian is diffeomorphism invariant and depends at most on second derivatives of the metric. Imposing degeneracy conditions we find a set of Lagrangians…
Theories of gravity with auxiliary fields are of particular interest since they are able to circumvent Lovelock's theorem while avoiding to introduce new degrees of freedom. This type of theories introduces derivatives of the stress-energy…
We consider the lagrangian $L=F(R)$ in classical (=non-quantized) two-dimensional fourth-order gravity and give new relations to Einstein's theory with a non-minimally coupled scalar field. We distinguish between scale-invariant lagrangians…
There has been considerable interest in constructing modified gravity theories that propagate only two degrees of freedom (DOFs), corresponding to the tensorial gravitational waves of general relativity. Within the framework of spatially…
In the effective field theory approach to gravity, the Lagrangian density for general relativity is supplemented by generally covariant terms of higher order in the Riemann tensor and its derivatives. At face value, these terms will result…
General Relativity can be reformulated as a diffeomorphism invariant gauge theory of the Lorentz group, with Lagrangian of the type $f(F\wedge F)$, where $F$ is the curvature 2-form of the spin connection. A theory from this class with a…
Within the general framework of spatially covariant theories of gravity, we study the conditions for having only the two tensorial degrees of freedom. Generally, there are three degrees of freedom propagating in the theory, of which two are…
The Newtonian limit of fourth-order gravity is worked out discussing its viability with respect to the standard results of General Relativity. We investigate the limit in the metric approach which, with respect to the Palatini formulation,…
A class of theories of gravity based on a Lagrangian which depends on the curvature and metric - but not on the derivatives of the curvature tensor - is of interest in several contexts including in the development of the paradigm that…