Torsion-squared gravity... and its multiplier extensions

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• Will Barker, University of Cambridge
• Wednesday 09 February 2022, 13:45-14:15
• The Hoyle Lecture Theatre + Zoom .

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Francisco Paz-C.

We review the recently suggested theory of torsion-squared plus curvature-squared gravity, which replaces the curvature scalar of Einstein and Hilbert. This theory seems conformal around a flat, torsionless background, but produces a viable cosmology because the torsion adopts a vacuum expectation value (VEV). The linearised theory has some attractive quantum properties, but how can we combat the nonlinear instabilities which are widely believed to condemn most torsion theories? We develop a general extension of torsion gravity via sixty multiplier fields, of the kind employed already in teleparallel gravity. The general stabilising effect of multipliers is explored. As applied to our novel torsion-squared theory, the multipliers actually facilitate the static Newtonian gravity regime near the torsion VEV anticipated in nature.

This talk is part of the Institute of Astronomy Seminars series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• Combined External Astrophysics Talks DAMTP
• Cosmology lists
• Cosmology, Astrophysics and General Relativity
• Institute of Astronomy Seminars
• Institute of Astronomy Talk Lists
• Kavli Institute for Cosmology Talk Lists
• Priscilla
• The Hoyle Lecture Theatre + Zoom

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