Massive Gravity: Nonlinear Instability of a Homogeneous and Isotropic Universe

Antonio De Felice, A. Emir Gümrükçüoğlu, and Shinji Mukohyama
Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 171101 – Published 23 October 2012

Abstract

We argue that all homogeneous and isotropic solutions in nonlinear massive gravity are unstable. For this purpose, we study the propagating modes on a Bianchi type-I manifold. We analyze their kinetic terms and dispersion relations as the background manifold approaches the homogeneous and isotropic limit. We show that in this limit, at least one ghost always exists and that its frequency tends to vanish for large scales, meaning that it cannot be integrated out from the low energy effective theory. This ghost mode is interpreted as a leading nonlinear perturbation around a homogeneous and isotropic background.

  • Received 14 June 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.171101

© 2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Antonio De Felice

  • ThEP’s CRL, NEP, The Institute for Fundamental Study, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok 65000, Thailand and Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics, Ministry of Education, Bangkok 10400, Thailand

A. Emir Gümrükçüoğlu and Shinji Mukohyama

  • Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe, Todai Institutes for Advanced Study, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8583, Japan

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Issue

Vol. 109, Iss. 17 — 26 October 2012

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