Resolving the Ghost Problem in Nonlinear Massive Gravity
Abstract
We analyze the ghost issue in the recently proposed models of nonlinear massive gravity in the Arnowitt-Deser-Misner formalism. We show that, in the entire two-parameter family of actions, the Hamiltonian constraint is maintained at the complete nonlinear level and we argue for the existence of a nontrivial secondary constraint. This implies the absence of the pathological Boulware-Deser ghost to all orders. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the existence of a consistent theory of massive gravity at the complete nonlinear level, in four dimensions.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- January 2012
- DOI:
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1106.3344
- Bibcode:
- 2012PhRvL.108d1101H
- Keywords:
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- 04.50.Kd;
- Modified theories of gravity;
- High Energy Physics - Theory
- E-Print:
- 4 pages, comments and reference added, version accepted for publication