Massive Graviton from Diffeomorphism Invariance
In this work, we undertake a comprehensive study of the functional measure of gravitational path integrals within a general framework involving non-trivial configuration spaces. As in Riemannian geometry, the integration over non-trival configuration spaces requires a metric. We examine the interpla...
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| author | João M. L. de Freitas Iberê Kuntz |
| author_facet | João M. L. de Freitas Iberê Kuntz |
| author_sort | João M. L. de Freitas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this work, we undertake a comprehensive study of the functional measure of gravitational path integrals within a general framework involving non-trivial configuration spaces. As in Riemannian geometry, the integration over non-trival configuration spaces requires a metric. We examine the interplay between the functional measure and the dynamics of spacetime for general configuration-space metrics. The functional measure gives an exact contribution to the effective action at the one-loop level. We discuss the implications and phenomenological consequences of this correction, shedding light on the role of the functional measure in quantum gravity theories. In particular, we describe a mechanism in which the graviton acquires a mass from the functional measure without violating the diffeomorphism symmetry nor including Stückelberg fields. Since gauge invariance is not violated, the number of degrees of freedom goes as in general relativity. For the same reason, Boulware–Deser ghosts and the vDVZ discontinuity do not show up. The graviton thus becomes massive at the quantum level while avoiding the usual issues of massive gravity. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f79672f6039e46188278287397c06fbe |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2218-1997 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Universe |
| spelling | doaj-art-f79672f6039e46188278287397c06fbe2025-08-20T03:56:47ZengMDPI AGUniverse2218-19972025-07-0111721910.3390/universe11070219Massive Graviton from Diffeomorphism InvarianceJoão M. L. de Freitas0Iberê Kuntz1Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Paraná, P.O. Box 19044, Curitiba 81531-980, PR, BrazilDepartamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Paraná, P.O. Box 19044, Curitiba 81531-980, PR, BrazilIn this work, we undertake a comprehensive study of the functional measure of gravitational path integrals within a general framework involving non-trivial configuration spaces. As in Riemannian geometry, the integration over non-trival configuration spaces requires a metric. We examine the interplay between the functional measure and the dynamics of spacetime for general configuration-space metrics. The functional measure gives an exact contribution to the effective action at the one-loop level. We discuss the implications and phenomenological consequences of this correction, shedding light on the role of the functional measure in quantum gravity theories. In particular, we describe a mechanism in which the graviton acquires a mass from the functional measure without violating the diffeomorphism symmetry nor including Stückelberg fields. Since gauge invariance is not violated, the number of degrees of freedom goes as in general relativity. For the same reason, Boulware–Deser ghosts and the vDVZ discontinuity do not show up. The graviton thus becomes massive at the quantum level while avoiding the usual issues of massive gravity.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/11/7/219functional measuremassive gravitonconfiguration-space geometry |
| spellingShingle | João M. L. de Freitas Iberê Kuntz Massive Graviton from Diffeomorphism Invariance Universe functional measure massive graviton configuration-space geometry |
| title | Massive Graviton from Diffeomorphism Invariance |
| title_full | Massive Graviton from Diffeomorphism Invariance |
| title_fullStr | Massive Graviton from Diffeomorphism Invariance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Massive Graviton from Diffeomorphism Invariance |
| title_short | Massive Graviton from Diffeomorphism Invariance |
| title_sort | massive graviton from diffeomorphism invariance |
| topic | functional measure massive graviton configuration-space geometry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1997/11/7/219 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT joaomldefreitas massivegravitonfromdiffeomorphisminvariance AT iberekuntz massivegravitonfromdiffeomorphisminvariance |