Resolving the Ghost Problem in Nonlinear Massive Gravity

S. F. Hassan and Rachel A. Rosen
Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 041101 – Published 24 January 2012

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.

  • Received 25 July 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.041101

© 2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

S. F. Hassan and Rachel A. Rosen

  • Department of Physics & The Oskar Klein Centre, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Centre, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden

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Issue

Vol. 108, Iss. 4 — 27 January 2012

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