arXiv subjects

E. L. Mendonça

Publications and source records attributed to E. L. Mendonça.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Unitarity of partially broken massless higher-spin models

Here we suggest a partially broken version of the Skvortsov-Vasiliev (SV) model for massless particles of arbitrary integer spin $s\ge 3$. The traceless gauge parameter of the Weyl transformation is now required to be transverse. In the light-cone gauge we offer a simple proof that the model contains only spin-$s$ helicities as propagating modes. In the $s=3$ and $s=4$ cases we are able to calculate the two point amplitude and confirm unitarity in a explicitly Lorentz invariant way. For the recently suggested partially broken Fronsdal model, for $s=3$ and $s=4$, unitarity is also confirmed in a Lorentz invariant way from their two point amplitudes. In both Fronsdal and SV partially broken models the two point amplitudes differ from their unbroken counterparts by contact terms which guarantees the same particle content but indicates potential non-equivalence of possible interacting terms.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Equivalence of spin-2 and spin-3 models invariant under transverse diffeomorphisms and the tensionless limit of string theory

Here we investigate a general class of massless local theories of spin-2 and spin-3 both invariant under generalized transverse diffeomorphisms (TDiff). We identify the ghost free region in their parameters space and show the relationship of those models with the ``doublet'' action stemming from the tensionless limit of the open bosonic string field theory (for symmetric tensors). The connection is implemented via a non local field redefinition which introduces a Stuckelberg-like field of rank-0 (rank-1) for the spin-2 (spin-3) case. An apparent mismatch between most of the TDiff models and the ``doublet'' action has led us to prove a nontrivial duality within the TDiff models which restores the equivalence. Any point in the parameters subspace of ghost free TDiff models is equivalent to any other one within that subspace. In particular, they are all physically equivalent to their simplest version known as Maxwell-like models. So the physical TDiff models seem to differ from each other by a BRST cohomologically trivial term.

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arXiv2025

More on unconstrained descriptions of Higher Spin Massless Particles

Here we suggest a new local action describing arbitrary integer spin-$s$ massless particles in terms of only two symmetric fields $φ$ and $α$ of rank-$s$ and $(s-3)$ respectively. It is an unconstrained version of the Fronsdal theory where the double traceless constraint on the physical field is evaded via a rank-$(s-4)$ Weyl like symmetry. The constrained higher spin diffeomorphism is enlarged to full diffeomorphism via the Stueckelberg field $α$ through an appropriate field redefinition. After a partial gauge fixing where the Weyl symmetry is broken while preserving diffeomorphisms, the field equations reproduce, for arbitrary integer spin-$s$, diffeomorphism invariant equations of motion previously obtained via a truncation of the spectrum of the open bosonic string field theory in the tensionless limit. In the $s=4$ case we show that the functional integration over $α$ leads to a unique non local Weyl and diffeomorphism invariant action given only in terms of the physical field $φ$ whose spectrum is confirmed via an analysis of the analytic structure of the spin-4 propagator for which we introduce a complete basis of projection and transition non local differential operators. We also show that the elimination of $α$ after the Weyl gauge fixing leads to a non local diffeomorphism invariant action previously obtained in the literature.

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arXiv2024

Generators of the Poincaré Group for arbitrary tensors and spinor-tensors

In this work, we systematically derive explicit expressions for the Poincaré Group generators on arbitrary-rank tensors and spinor-tensors in $D=3+1$ and $D=2+1$ spacetimes, thus generalizing previous works in the literature for the groups $ISO(3,1)$ and $ISO(2,1)$. From the Casimir eigenvalue equations, we demonstrate in a model-independent way the Fierz-Pauli constraints for massive particles for spins $\mathfrak{s}=5/2$, 3, and 4 in $D=3+1$ and helicities $α=5/2$, 3, and 4 in $D=2+1$ dimensions. We also comment on the demonstration of the Fierz-Pauli constraints for the general case of arbitrary spin (helicity).

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arXiv2020

Duality and unitarity of massive spin-3/2 models in $D=2+1$

In this work we provide a triple master action interpolating among three self-dual descriptions of massive spin-3/2 particles in $D=2+1$ dimensions. Such result generalizes a master action previously suggested in the literature. We also show that, surprisingly a shorthand notation in terms of differential operators applied in the bosonic cases of spins 2 and 3, can also be defined to the fermionic case. With the help of projection operators, we have also obtained the propagator and analyzed unitarity in $D$ dimensions of a second order spin-3/2 doublet model. Once we demonstrate that this doublet model is free of ghosts, we provide a master action interpolating such model with a fourth order theory which has several similarities with the spin-2 linearized New Massive Gravity theory.

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arXiv2020

Unitarity of Singh-Hagen model in $D$ dimensions

The particle content of the Singh-Hagen model ($SH$) in $D$ dimensions is revisited. We suggest a complete set of spin-projection operators acting on totally symmetric rank-3 fields. We give a general expression for the propagator and determine the coefficients of the $SH$ model confirming previous results of the literature. Adding totally symmetric source terms we provide an unitarity analysis in $D$ dimensions.

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arXiv2019

Unitarity of higher derivative spin-3 models

The fourth order in derivatives New Massive Gravity model NMG, describes a massive spin-2 particle in $D=2+1$. At the linearized level a proof of unitarity necessarily implies that the generalization to higher dimensions includes non-unitary massless spin-2 modes. The linearized version of NMG is dual to the Fierz-Pauli model FP. Here we examine the unitarity of higher derivative spin-3 models, analogues to the NMG, dual to the Singh-Hagen model SH. We find that the same kind of restriction on the dimension of the space also happens in this case, and the models are physical only in $D=2+1$.

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arXiv2019

Soldering spin-3 opposite helicities in $D=2+1$

Here we present the `soldering' of opposite helicity states of a spin-3 particle, in $D=2+1$, into one parity doublet. The starting points may be either the sixth- or the fifth-order (in derivatives) spin-3 self-dual models of opposite helicities. The high number of derivatives avoids the use of auxiliary fields which has been so far an obstacle for a successful soldering procedure. The resulting doublet model is a new Lagrangian with six orders in derivatives and no auxiliary field. It may be regarded as a spin-3 analogue of the linearized `New Massive Gravity'. We check its particle content via a gauge invariant and Lorentz covariant analysis of the analytic structure of the two-point amplitude with the help of spin-3 analogues of the Barnes and Rivers projection operators. The particle content is alternatively confirmed in a specific non-covariant gauge by a decomposition in helicity variables. The soldered model is ghost free and contains two physical states as expected for a parity doublet.

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arXiv2019

Parity singlets and doublets of massive spin-3 particles in $D=2+1$ via Nother gauge embedding

Here we demonstrate that the sixth order (in derivatives) spin-3 self-dual model can be obtained from the fifth order self-dual model via a Noether Gauge Embedding (NGE) of longitudinal Weyl transformations $η_{(μν}\partial_{α)}Φ$. In the case of doublet models we can show that the massive spin-3 Singh-Hagen theory is dual to a fourth and to a sixth order theory, via a double round of the NGE procedure by imposing traceless longitudinal (reparametrization-like) symmetries $\partial_{(μ}\tildeξ_{να)}$ in the first round and transverse Weyl transformations $η_{(μν}ψ^T_{α)}$ in the second one. Our procedure automatically furnishes the dual maps between the corresponding fields.

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arXiv2018

Soldering spin-3/2 fermions in $D=2+1$

The soldering procedure has been for the first time generalized to the case of spin-3/2 fermionic theories. We have demonstrated that the fermionic part of the so called "New Topologically Massive Supergravity" theory, which is of third order in derivatives, can be soldered in order to obtain a fourth order dublet model analogue to the linearized version of the New Massive Gravity theory, while the soldering of two second order self-dual models give us a theory similar to the linearized version of the Einstein-Hilbert-Fierz-Pauli theory.

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arXiv2017

New cosmological solutions in massive gravity theory

In this paper we present some new cosmological solutions in massive gravity theory. Some homogeneous and isotropic solutions correctly describe accelerated evolutions for the universe. The study was realized considering a specific form to the fiducial metric and found different functions and constant parameters of the theory that guarantees the conservation of the energy momentum tensor. Several accelerating cosmologies were found, all of them reproducing a cosmological constant term proportional to the graviton mass, with a de Sitter type solution for the scale factor. We have also verified that when the fiducial metric is close to the physical metric the solutions are absent, except for some specific open cases.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Embeddings of the "New Massive Gravity"

Using different types of embeddings of equations of motion we investigate the existence of generalizations of the "New Massive Gravity" (NMG) model with the same particle content (massive gravitons). By using the Weyl symmetry as a guiding principle for the embeddings we show that the Noether gauge embedding approach leads us to a sixth order model in derivatives with either a massive or a massless ghost. If the Weyl symmetry is implemented by means of a Stueckelberg field we obtain a new scalar-tensor model for massive gravitons. It is ghost free and Weyl invariant at linearized level. The model can be nonlinearly completed into a scalar field coupled to the NMG theory. The elimination of the scalar field leads to a nonlocal modification of the NMG. We also prove to all orders in derivatives that there is no local, ghost free embedding of the linearized NMG equations of motion around Minkowski space when written in terms of one symmetric tensor. Regarding that point, NMG differs from the Fierz-Pauli theory, since in later case we can replace the Einstein-Hilbert action by specific $f(R,\Box\, R)$ generalizations and still keep the theory ghost free at linearized level.

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arXiv2015

Master actions for massive spin-3 particles in D=2+1

We present here a relationship among massive self-dual models for spin-3 particles in $D=2+1$ via the master action procedure. Starting with a first order model (in derivatives) $S_{SD(1)}$ we have constructed a master action which interpolates among a sequence of four self-dual models $S_{SD(i)}$ where $i=1,2,3,4$. By analyzing the particle content of mixing terms, we give additional arguments that explain why it is apparently impossible to jump from the fourth order model to a higher order model. We have also analyzed similarities and differences between the fourth order $K$-term in the spin-2 case and the analogous fourth order term in the spin-3 context.

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arXiv2015

Effective action for a quantum scalar field in warped spaces

We investigate the one-loop corrections at zero, as well as finite temperature, of a scalar field taking place in a braneworld motived warped background. After to reach a well defined problem, we calculate the effective action with the corresponding quantum corrections to each case.

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arXiv2015

Cosmological bounds on open FLRW solutions of massive gravity

In this work we have analysed some cosmological bounds concerning an open FLRW solution of massive gravity. The constraints with recent observational $H(z)$ data were found and the best fit values for the cosmological parameters are in agreement with the $Λ$CDM model, and also point to a nearly open spatial curvature, as expected from the model. The graviton mass dependence with the constant parameters $α_3$ and $α_4$, related to the additional lagrangians terms of the model, are also analysed, and we have obtained a strong dependence with such parameters, although the condition $m_g\simeq H_0^{-1}$ seems dominant for a long range of the parameters $α_3$ and $α_4$.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Dual descriptions of massive spin-3 particles in $D=2+1$ via Noether gauge embedment

We present here a relationship among massive self-dual models for spin-3 particles in $D=2+1$ via the Noether Gauge Embedment $(NGE)$ procedure. Starting with a first order model (in derivatives) $S_{SD(1)}$ we have obtained a sequence of four self-dual models $S_{SD(i)}$ where $i=1,2,3,4$. We demonstrate that the $NGE$ procedure generate the correct action for the auxiliary fields automatically. We obtain the whole action for the $4th$ order self-dual model including all the needed auxiliary fields to get rid of the ghosts of the theory.

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arXiv2014

Massive spin-2 particles via embedment of the Fierz-Pauli equations of motion

Here we obtain alternative descriptions of massive spin-2 particles by an embedding procedure of the Fierz-Pauli equations of motion. All models are free of ghosts at quadratic level although most of them are of higher order in derivatives. The models that we obtain can be nonlinearly completed in terms of a dynamic and a fixed metric. They include some $f(R)$ massive gravities recently considered in the literature. In some cases there is an infrared (no derivative) modification of the Fierz-Pauli mass term altogether with higher order terms in derivatives. The analytic structure of the propagator of the corresponding free theories is not affected by the extra terms in the action as compared to the usual second order Fierz-Pauli theory.

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arXiv2014

Massive "spin-2" theories in arbitrary $D \ge 3$ dimensions

Here we show that in arbitrary dimensions $D\ge 3$ there are two families of second order Lagrangians describing massive "spin-2" particles via a nonsymmetric rank-2 tensor. They differ from the usual Fierz-Pauli theory in general. At zero mass one of the families is Weyl invariant. Such massless theory has no particle content in $D=3$ and gives rise, via master action, to a dual higher order (in derivatives) description of massive spin-2 particles in $D=3$ where both the second and the fourth order terms are Weyl invariant, contrary to the linearized New Massive Gravity. However, only the fourth order term is invariant under arbitrary antisymmetric shifts. Consequently, the antisymmetric part of the tensor $e_{[μν]}$ propagates at large momentum as $1/p^2$ instead of $1/p^4$. So, the same kind of obstacle for the renormalizability of the New Massive Gravity reappears in this nonsymmetric higher order description of massive spin-2 particles.

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