arXiv · 1212.2599
Constructing conformally invariant equations by using Weyl geometry
Abstract
We present a simple, systematic and practical method to construct conformally invariant equations in arbitrary Riemann spaces. This method that we call "Weyl-to-Riemann" is based on two features of Weyl geometry. i) A Weyl space is defined by the metric tensor and the Weyl vector $W$, it becomes equivalent to a Riemann space when $W$ is gradient. ii) Any homogeneous differential equation written in a Weyl space by means of the Weyl connection is conformally invariant. The Weyl-to-Riemann method selects those equations whose conformal invariance is preserved when reducing to a Riemann space. Applications to scalar, vector and spin-2 fields are presented, which demonstrates the efficiency of the present method. In particular, a new conformally invariant spin-2 field equation is exhibited. This equation extends Grishchuk-Yudin's equation and fixes its limitations since it does not require the Lorenz gauge. Moreover this equation reduces to the Drew-Gegenberg and Deser-Nepomechie equations in respectively Minkowski and de Sitter spaces.
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Sofiane Faci. 2012-12-11. Constructing conformally invariant equations by using Weyl geometry. https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381%2F30%2F11%2F115005
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