Metric-affine Theories Of Gravity Research Articles

Inflation and reheating in quadratic metric-affine gravity with derivative couplings

Within the framework of metric-affine theories of gravity, where both the metric and connection are treated as independent variables, we consider actions quadratic in the Ricci scalar curvature coupled non-minimally to a scalar field through derivative couplings. Our analysis delves into the inflationary predictions, revealing their consistency with the latest observational constraints across a wide range of parameters. This compatibility permits adjustments such as an increase in the spectral index and a reduction in the tensor-to-scalar ratio. While we do not propose a specific reheating mechanism, our analysis demonstrates that within the quadratic model of inflation, the maximum reheating temperature can reach ∼ 3 × 1015 GeV.

Singular space-times with bounded algebraic curvature scalars

We show that the absence of unbounded algebraic curvature invariants constructed from polynomials of the Riemann tensor cannot guarantee the absence of strong singularities. As a consequence, it is not sufficient to rely solely on the analysis of such scalars to assess the regularity of a given space-time. This conclusion follows from the analysis of incomplete geodesics within the internal region of asymmetric wormholes supported by scalar matter which arise in two distinct metric-affine gravity theories. These wormholes have bounded algebraic curvature scalars everywhere, which highlights that their finiteness does not prevent the emergence of pathologies (singularities) in the geodesic structure of space-time. By analyzing the tidal forces in the internal wormhole region, we find that the angular components are unbounded along incomplete radial time-like geodesics. The strength of the singularity is determined by the evolution of Jacobi fields along such geodesics, finding that it is of strong type, as volume elements are torn apart as the singularity is approached. Lastly, and for completeness, we consider the wormhole of the quadratic Palatini theory and present an analysis of the tidal forces in the entire space-time.

On the renormalization of Poincaré gauge theories

Poincaré Gauge Theories are a class of Metric-Affine Gravity theories with a metric-compatible (i.e. Lorentz) connection and with an action quadratic in curvature and torsion. We perform an explicit one-loop calculation starting with a single term of each type and show that not only are all other terms generated, but also many others. In our particular model all terms containing torsion are redundant and can be eliminated by field redefinitions, but there remains a new term quadratic in curvature, making the model non-renormalizable. We discuss the likely behavior of more general theories of this type.

Bootstrapping gravity and its extension to metric-affine theories

In this work we study diffeomorphism-invariant metric-affine theories of gravity from the point of view of self-interacting field theories on top of Minkowski spacetime (or other background). We revise how standard metric theories couple to their own energy-momentum tensor, and discuss the generalization of these ideas when torsion and nonmetricity are also present. We review the computation of the corresponding currents through the Hilbert and canonical (Noether) prescriptions, emphasizing the potential ambiguities arising from both. We also provide the extension of this consistent self-coupling procedure to the vielbein formalism, so that fermions can be included in the matter sector. In addition, we clarify some subtle issues regarding previous discussions on the self-coupling problem for metric theories, both General Relativity and its higher derivative generalizations. We also suggest a connection between Lovelock theorem and the ambiguities in the bootstrapping procedure arising from those in the definition of conserved currents.

Static and spherically symmetric wormholes in metric-affine theories of gravity

Static and spherically symmetric wormholes in metric-affine theories of gravity

Conformally covariant operators of mixed-symmetry tensors and MAGs

We compute conformally covariant actions and operators for tensors with mixed symmetries in arbitrary dimension d. Our results complete the classification of conformal actions that are quadratic on arbitrary tensors with three indices, which allows to write corresponding conformal actions for all tensor species that appear in the decomposition of the distorsion tensor of an arbitrary metric-affine theory of gravity including both torsion and nonmetricity. We also discuss the degrees of freedom that such theories are propagating, as well as interacting metric-affine theories that enjoy the conformal actions in the Gaussian limit.

Radiatively stable ghost and tachyon freedom in metric affine gravity

We report the existence of a ghost- and tachyon-free sector in metric affine theories of gravity, that is invariant under diffeomorphism and a particular Abelian symmetry. In contrast with many studied cases in the literature, the constraints for unitarity and causality are granted by nonaccidental symmetries and do not ask for further tuning, whose fate under renormalization would be unclear. Unsurprisingly, the minimal model is massless. We find that a mechanism to provide mass is accommodated by a simple Stueckelberg extension of metric affine gravity involving the nonmetricity tensor. A nontrivial result is that also such an extension describes a ghost- and tachyon-free dynamic stabilized by the same Abelian symmetry. The resulting spectrum of the collective rank-3, rank-2, and rank-0 Lagrangian is investigated with the operators recently computed in the literature.

Massive higher-spin multiplets and asymptotic freedom in quantum gravity

We consider massive higher-spin multiplets coupled to quantum gravity and compute their contributions to the gravitational beta functions at one loop. Such theories, if quantized with the Feynman prescription, would contain ghosts. Instead, those degrees of freedom are turned into purely virtual particles by means of the fakeon prescription and the resulting theories are both renormalizable and unitary. We extract the necessary number of fields to obtain asymptotic freedom by solving the relevant renormalization-group equations in the ultraviolet limit. We show that in the case of irreducible rank-$s$ bosons with minimal kinetic term only a certain number of fields with $0\leq s \leq 3$ is compatible with asymptotic freedom. No solution involving fermionic rank-$s$ fields are found. We also consider the cases of rank-$1$ and symmetric rank-$2$ tensor fields with nonminimal kinetic terms and repeat the analysis, finding that the allowed number of fields is enlarged. Possible implications for metric affine theories of gravity are pointed out.

Noether charges in the geometrical trinity of gravity

The Noether currents are derived in a generic metric-affine theory of gravity, and the holographic nature of the gravitational entropy and energy-momentum is clarified. The main result is the verification of the canonical resolution to the energy-momentum problem in the Noether formalism.

Charged BTZ-type solutions in Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld gravity

We construct an axially symmetric solution of Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld gravity coupled to an electromagnetic field in 2+1 dimensions including a (negative) cosmological constant term. This is achieved by using a recently developed mapping procedure that allows to generate solutions in certain families of metric-affine gravity theories starting from a known seed solution of General Relativity, which in the present case corresponds to the electrically charged Banados-Teitelboim-Zanelli (BTZ) solution. We discuss the main features of the new configurations, including the modifications to the ergospheres and horizons, the emergence of wormhole structures, and the consequences for the regularity (or not) of these space-times via geodesic completeness.

Parity violating metric-affine gravity theories

We study a metric-affine gravitational theory given by the Einstein–Hilbert (EH) action plus a parity violating contribution (which we will refer to as the Hojman term, also known as Holst term) in vacuum. We find out that for a certain value of the Barbero–Immirzi (BI) parameter the total action possesses a remarkable invariance under particular transformations of the affine connection. We prove that in all cases, with appropriate gauge choices, the connection reduces to the Levi-Civita one and that the theory turns out to be equivalent to general relativity (GR) in vacuum. Subsequently, we generalize our discussion and analyze the case of metric-affine f(R) gravity plus the Hojman term. In particular, we show that for f′(R) ≠ constant the theory results to be on-shell equivalent to a metric-compatible torsionless scalar–tensor model with a propagating pseudo-scalar. Matter coupling of the aforementioned models is also discussed, together with explicit examples and applications.

Schrödinger connection with selfdual nonmetricity vector in 2+1 dimensions

We present a three-dimensional metric affine theory of gravity whose field equations lead to a connection introduced by Schrödinger many decades ago. Although involving nonmetricity, the Schrödinger connection preserves the length of vectors under parallel transport, and appears thus to be more physical than the one proposed by Weyl. By considering solutions with constant scalar curvature, we obtain a self-duality relation for the nonmetricity vector which implies a Proca equation that may also be interpreted in terms of inhomogeneous Maxwell equations emerging from affine geometry.

Fundamental Symmetries and Spacetime Geometries in Gauge Theories of Gravity—Prospects for Unified Field Theories

Gravity can be formulated as a gauge theory by combining symmetry principles and geometrical methods in a consistent mathematical framework. The gauge approach to gravity leads directly to non-Euclidean, post-Riemannian spacetime geometries, providing the adequate formalism for metric-affine theories of gravity with curvature, torsion and non-metricity. In this paper, we analyze the structure of gauge theories of gravity and consider the relation between fundamental geometrical objects and symmetry principles as well as different spacetime paradigms. Special attention is given to Poincaré gauge theories of gravity, their field equations and Noether conserved currents, which are the sources of gravity. We then discuss several topics of the gauge approach to gravitational phenomena, namely, quadratic Poincaré gauge models, the Einstein-Cartan-Sciama-Kibble theory, the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity, quadratic metric-affine Lagrangians, non-Lorentzian connections, and the breaking of Lorentz invariance in the presence of non-metricity. We also highlight the probing of post-Riemannian geometries with test matter. Finally, we briefly discuss some perspectives regarding the role of both geometrical methods and symmetry principles towards unified field theories and a new spacetime paradigm, motivated from the gauge approach to gravity.

Anisotropic deformations in a class of projectively-invariant metric-affine theories of gravity

Among the general class of metric-affine theories of gravity, there is a special class conformed by those endowed with a projective symmetry. Perhaps the simplest manner to realise this symmetry is by constructing the action in terms of the symmetric part of the Ricci tensor. In these theories, the connection can be solved algebraically in terms of a metric that relates to the spacetime metric by means of the so-called deformation matrix that is given in terms of the matter fields. In most phenomenological applications, this deformation matrix is assumed to inherit the symmetries of the matter sector so that in the presence of an isotropic energy–momentum tensor, it respects isotropy. In this work we discuss this condition and, in particular, we show how the deformation matrix can be anisotropic even in the presence of isotropic sources due to the non-linear nature of the equations. Remarkably, we find that Eddington-inspired-Born–Infeld (EiBI) theories do not admit anisotropic deformations, but more general theories do. However, we find that the anisotropic branches of solutions are generally prone to a pathological physical behaviour.

Instabilities in metric-affine theories of gravity with higher order curvature terms

We discuss the presence of ghostly instabilities for metric-affine theories constructed with higher order curvature terms. We mainly focus on theories containing only the Ricci tensor and show the crucial role played by the projective symmetry. The pathological modes arise from the absence of a pure kinetic term for the projective mode and the non-minimal coupling of a 2-form field contained in the connection, and which can be related to the antisymmetric part of the metric in non-symmetric gravity theories. The couplings to matter are considered at length and cannot be used to render the theories stable. We discuss different procedures to avoid the ghosts by adding additional constraints. We finally argue how these pathologies are expected to be present in general metric-affine theories unless much care is taken in their construction.

From fundamental physics to tests with compact objects in metric-affine theories of gravity

This paper provides a short but comprehensible overview of some relevant aspects of metric-affine theories of gravity in relation to the physics and astrophysics of compact objects. We shall highlight the pertinence of this approach to supersede General Relativity on its strong-field regime, as well as its advantages and some of its difficulties. Moreover, we shall reflect on the present and future opportunities to test its predictions with relativistic and nonrelativistic stars, black holes, and other exotic horizonless compact objects.

New class of ghost- and tachyon-free metric affine gravities

We construct the spin-projection operators for a theory containing a symmetric two-index tensor and a general three-index tensor. We then use them to analyse, at linearized level, the most general action for a metric-affine theory of gravity with terms up to second order in curvature, which depends on 28 parameters. In the metric case we recover known results. In the torsion-free case, we are able to determine the most general six-parameter class of theories that are projective invariant, contain only one massless spin 2 and no spin 3, and are free of ghosts and tachyons.

Correspondence between modified gravity and general relativity with scalar fields

We describe a novel procedure to map the field equations of nonlinear Ricci-based metric-affine theories of gravity, coupled to scalar matter described by a given Lagrangian, into the field equations of General Relativity coupled to a different scalar field Lagrangian. Our analysis considers examples with a single and $N$ real scalar fields, described either by canonical Lagrangians or by generalized functions of the kinetic and potential terms. In particular, we consider several explicit examples involving $f(R)$ theories and the Eddington-inspired Born-Infeld gravity model, coupled to different scalar field Lagrangians. We show how the nonlinearities of the gravitational sector of these theories can be traded to nonlinearities in the matter fields, and how the procedure allows to find new solutions on both sides of the correspondence. The potential of this procedure for applications of scalar field models in astrophysical and cosmological scenarios is highlighted.

Induced Nonlinearities of the Scalar Field and Wormholes in the Metric-Affine Theory of Gravity

A self-gravitating scalar field with nonminimal coupling is considered in the framework of the metric-affine theory of gravity including torsion and nonmetricity. It is shown that, as a result of the interaction of this scalar fieldwith torsion and nonmetricity, a nonlinearity corresponding to the nonlinearity of the axion field can be induced, and wormholes can form.

Mapping Ricci-based theories of gravity into general relativity

We show that the space of solutions of a wide family of Ricci-based metric-affine theories of gravity can be put into correspondence with the space of solutions of general relativity (GR). This allows us to use well-established methods and results from GR to explore new gravitational physics beyond it.