arXiv subjects

Alexey Golovnev

Publications and source records attributed to Alexey Golovnev.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

On singularity-resolution in mimetic gravity

Recently, it was shown that modified mimetic gravity, with a $f(\squareϕ)$ term, results in a singularity-free model of gravity, for both cosmological and black hole spacetimes [1, 2]. In this work, we analyze this model further and show that, since the function $f$ was tuned to vanish rapidly for small values of the argument, the non-singular bounce relies heavily on a subtle branch changing mechanism for the multi-valued function $f$. Furthermore, this mechanism has interesting implications for the proposed link between this model and loop quantum cosmology.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Beyond dRGT as Mimetic Massive

An interesting proposal has recently been made to extend massive gravity models beyond dRGT by a disformal transformation of the metric. In this Letter we want to note that it can be viewed as a mimetic extension of dRGT gravity which enormously simplifies the Hamiltonian analysis. In particular, pure gravity sector is equivalent to the usual dRGT gravity coupled to a constrained scalar field. And we also give some comments about possible matter couplings.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Introduction to teleparallel gravities

We give a pedagogical introduction into the field of (modified) teleparallel theories of gravity. Our presentation is fairly self-contained. In particular, we carefully explain the basic principles of metric-affine approaches to gravity. This contribution is based on our talk "Teleparallel gravity, its modifications, and the local Lorentz invariance" at the 9th Mathematical Physics Meeting: School and Conference on Modern Mathematical Physics in Belgrade, September 2017.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

Algebraic aspects of massive gravity

We describe the freedom of choosing a square root in massive gravity from algebraic point of view. This contribution is based on the talk given by one of us (AG) at the Geometric Foundations of Gravity conference in Tartu in August 2017.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

On the ghost issue of extended quasidilaton

We report on our independent investigations of the puzzle of cosmological perturbations in extended quasidilaton. We confirm the claims of presence of the Boulware-Deser ghost. We use both the language of cosmological perturbations with broken diffeomorphisms and the Stuckelberg approach.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Unusual square roots in the ghost-free theory of massive gravity

A crucial building block of the ghost free massive gravity is the square root function of a matrix. This is a problematic entity from the viewpoint of existence and uniqueness properties. We accurately describe the freedom of choosing a square root of a (non-degenerate) matrix. It has discrete and (in special cases) continuous parts. When continuous freedom is present, the usual perturbation theory in terms of matrices can be critically ill defined for some choices of the square root. We consider the new formulation of massive and bimetric gravity which deals directly with eigenvalues (in disguise of elementary symmetric polynomials) instead of matrices. It allows for a meaningful discussion of perturbation theory in such cases, even though certain non-analytic features arise.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

On the covariance of teleparallel gravity theories

The basics of teleparallel gravity and its extensions are reviewed with particular emphasis on the problem of Lorentz-breaking choice of connection in pure-tetrad versions of the theories. Various possible ways to covariantise such models are discussed. A by-product is a new form of $f(T)$ field equations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Dealing with ghost-free massive gravity without explicit square roots of matrices

In this paper we entertain a simple idea that the action of ghost free massive gravity (in metric formulation) depends not on the full structure of the square root of a matrix but rather on its invariants given by elementary symmetric polynomials of the eigenvalues. In particular, we show how one can construct the quadratic action around Minkowski spacetime without ever taking the square root of the perturbed matrix. The method is however absolutely generic. And it also contains full information on possible non-standard square roots coming from intrinsic non-uniqueness of the procedure. In passing, we mention some hard problems of those apocryphal square roots in the standard approach which might be better tackled with our method. Futher details of the latter are deferred to a separate paper.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Effectively nonlocal metric-affine gravity

In metric-affine theories of gravity such as the C-theories, the spacetime connection is associated to a metric that is nontrivially related to the physical metric. In this article, such theories are rewritten in terms of a single metric and it is shown that they can be recast as effectively nonlocal gravity. With some assumptions, known ghost-free theories with non-singular and cosmologically interesting properties may be recovered. Relations between different formulations are analysed at both perturbative and nonperturbative levels taking carefully into account subtleties with boundary conditions in the presence of integral operators in the action, and equivalences between theories related by nonlocal redefinitions of the fields are verified at the level of equations of motion. This suggests a possible geometrical interpretation of nonlocal gravity as an emergent property of non-Riemannian spacetime structure.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

ADM Analysis of Gravity Models within the Framework of Bimetric Variational Formalism

Bimetric variational formalism was recently employed to construct novel bimetric gravity models. In these models an affine connection is generated by an additional tensor field which is independent of the physical metric. In this work we demonstrate how the ADM decomposition can be applied to study such models and provide some technical intermediate details. Using ADM decomposition we are able to prove that a linear model is unstable as has previously been indicated by perturbative analysis. Moreover, we show that it is also very difficult if not impossible to construct a non-linear model which is ghost-free within the framework of bimetric variational formalism. However, we demonstrate that viable models are possible along similar lines of thought. To this end, we consider a set up in which the affine connection is a variation of the Levi-Civita one. As a proof of principle we construct a gravity model with a massless scalar field obtained this way.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Smooth horizons and quantum ripples

Black Holes are unique objects which allow for meaningful theoretical studies of strong gravity and even quantum gravity effects. An infalling and a distant observer would have very different views on the structure of the world. However, a careful analysis has shown that it entails no genuine contradictions for physics, and the paradigm of observer complementarity has been coined. Recently this picture was put into doubt. In particular, it was argued that in old Black Holes a firewall must form in order to protect the basic principles of quantum mechanics. This AMPS paradox has already been discussed in a vast number of papers with different attitudes and conclusions. Here we want to argue that a possible source of confusion is neglection of quantum gravity effects. Contrary to widespread perception, it does not necessarily mean that effective field theory is inapplicable in rather smooth neighbourhoods of large Black Hole horizons. The real offender might be an attempt to consistently use it over the huge distances from the near-horizon zone of old Black Holes to the early radiation. We give simple estimates to support this viewpoint and show how the Page time and (somewhat more speculative) scrambling time do appear.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

On non-perturbative analysis of massive and bimetric gravity

This is my contribution to Proceedings of II Russian-Spanish Congress on Particle and Nuclear Physics at all Scales and Cosmology, Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 1 - 4, 2013. We give a brief overview of the ghost-free massive and bimetric gravity emphasising its non-perturbative aspects and ADM approach to calculating the precise number of degrees of freedom. To the standard material, we add some thoughts concerning existence and uniqueness problems of matrix square roots in non-perturbative metric formulations of massive gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

On hyperbolicity violations in cosmological models with vector fields

Cosmological models with vector fields received much attention in recent years. Unfortunately, most of them are plagued with severe instabilities or other problems. In particular, it was noted by G. Esposito-Farese, C. Pitrou and J.-Ph. Uzan in arXiv:0912.0481 that the models with a non-linear function of the Maxwellian kinetic term do always imply violations of hyperbolicity somewhere in the phase space. In this work we make this statement more precise in several respects and show that those violations may not be present around spatially homogeneous configurations of the vector field.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

On the recently proposed Mimetic Dark Matter

Recently, an interesting gravitational model was proposed in order to mimic the effect of Dark Matter. Chamseddine and Mukhanov in the arXiv preprint 1308.5410 have separated the conformal mode of a physical metric in the form of a squared gradient of an auxiliary scalar field. Notably, the variational principle has given a more general equation of motion than that of purely Einsteinian relativity theory, with a possibility of reproducing an effective Dark Matter. In this short paper, we explain the nature of this phenomenon in terms of the class of functions on which the variation takes place. Then we give a more transparent equivalent formulation of the model without an auxiliary metric. Finally, we speculate a bit about possible extensions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Modified gravitational collapse, or the wonders of the MOND

There are many hot discussions in the literature about two competing paradigms in galactic and extra-galactic astronomy and cosmology, namely the Dark Matter and the Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND). It is very difficult to challenge MOND from the cosmological side because a full relativistic realisation is needed in the first place, and any failure can then be attributed to a particular model, and not to the MOND itself. We propose to study non-relativistic stages of gravitational collapse in MOND which, we argue, is a relevant task for this competition. Spherically symmetric dust cloud collapse and intrinsic unavoidable non-linearities of the deep MOND regime are discussed. We conclude that complicated, both numerical and analytic, studies of modified gravitational dynamics are needed in order to assess the viability of MOND.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

ADM analysis and massive gravity

This is a contribution to the Proceedings of the 7th Mathematical Physics Meeting: Summer School and Conference on Modern Mathematical Physics, held in Belgrade 09 -- 19 September 2012. We give an easily accessible introduction to the ADM decomposition of the curvature components. After that we review the basic problems associated with attempts of constructing a viable massive gravity theory. And finally, we present the metric formulations of ghost-free massive gravity models, and comment on existence problem of the matrix square root.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

The bimetric variational principle for General Relativity

The bimetric variational principle is a subtle reinterpretation of general relativity that assumes the spacetime connection to be generated by an independent metric. Unlike the so called Palatini formalism that promotes the connection into a fundamental field, the new variational principle results in a physically distinct theory since the potential for the connection carries new degrees of freedom. The connection-generating metric naturally allows also an antisymmetric component. This sets torsion propagating! It is also shown here that while in the most straightforward generalization of the Einstein-Hilbert action the nonmetric degrees of freedom become ghosts, there exist very simple actions which give rise to viable theories at the linearised level when subjected to the bimetric variational principle. However, the non linear interactions might bring unpleasant features like the Boulware-Deser ghost. This remains to be explored since this new type of bimetric theories does not, in principle, lie in the class of usual bimetric theories where non-linear interactions inevitably come in with new ghost-like degrees of freedom.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

On the Hamiltonian analysis of non-linear massive gravity

In this paper we present a very simple and independent argument for the absence of the Boulware-Deser ghost in the recently proposed potentially ghost-free non-linear massive gravity. The limitation is that, in its simple form, the argument is, in a sense, non-constructive and less explicit than the standard approach. However, the formalism developed here may prove to be useful for discussing the formal aspects of the theory.

gr-qc↗