arXiv subjects

G. Scharf

Publications and source records attributed to G. Scharf.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2010

Non-trivial 2+1-Dimensional Gravity

We analyze 2+1-dimensional gravity in the framework of quantum gauge theory. We find that Einstein gravity has a trivial physical subspace which reflects the fact that the classical solution in empty space is flat. Therefore we study massive gravity which is not trivial. In the limit of vanishing graviton mass we obtain a non-trivial massless theory different from Einstein gravity. We derive the interaction from descent equations and obtain the cosmological topologically massive gravity. However, in addition to Einstein and Chern-Simons coupling we need coupling to fermionic ghost and anti-ghost fields and to a vector-graviton field with the same mass as the graviton.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2009

From massive gravity to modified general relativity II

We continue our investigation of massive gravity in the massless limit of vanishing graviton mass. From gauge invariance we derive the most general coupling between scalar matter and gravity. We get further couplings beside the standard coupling to the energy-momentum tensor. On the classical level this leads to a further modification of general relativity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2009

From massive gravity to dark matter density II

As previously observed the massless limit of massive gravity leads to a modification of general relativity. Here we study spherically symmetric solutions of the modified field equations which contain normal matter together with a dark energy density. If the dark density profile is assumed to be known, the whole problem is reduced to a linear first order differential equation which can be solved by quadratures.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2008

Massive Yang-Mills Fields in Interaction with Gravity

We determine the most general form of the interaction between the gravitational field and an arbitrary Yang-Mills system of fields (massless and massive). We work in the perturbative quantum framework of the causal approach (of Epstein and Glaser) and use a cohomological definition of gauge invariance for both gauge fields. We also consider the case of massive gravity. We discuss the question whether gravity couples to the unphysical degrees of freedom in the Yang-Mills fields.

hep-th↗

arXiv2008

From massive gravity to dark matter density

Massive gravity previously constructed as the spin-2 quantum gauge theory is studied in the classical limit. The vector-graviton field v which does not decouple in the limit of vanishing graviton mass gives rise to a modification of general relativity. The modified Schwarzschild solution contains a contribution which can be interpreted as the dark mass density. We calculate the density profile in the simplest spherically symmetric geometry.

hep-th↗

arXiv2007

Massive gravity from descent equations

Both massless and massive gravity are derived from descent equations (Wess-Zumino consistency conditions). The massive theory is a continuous deformation of the massless one.

hep-th↗

arXiv2001

Electron-positron pair production in the external electromagnetic field of colliding relativistic heavy ions

The results concerning the $e^+e^-$ production in peripheral highly relativistic heavy-ion collisions presented in a recent paper by Baltz {\em{et al.}} are rederived in a very straightforward manner. It is shown that the solution of the Dirac equation directly leads to the multiplicity, i.e. to the total number of electron-positron pairs produced by the electromagnetic field of the ions, whereas the calculation of the single pair production probability is much more involved. A critical observation concerns the unsolved problem of seemingly absent Coulomb corrections (Bethe-Maximon corrections) in pair production cross sections. It is shown that neither the inclusion of the vacuum-vacuum amplitude nor the correct interpretation of the solution of the Dirac equation concerning the pair multiplicity is able the explain (from a fundamental point of view) the absence of Coulomb corrections. Therefore the contradiction has to be accounted to the treatment of the high energy limit.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1999

Spin-2 gauge theories and perturbative gauge invariance

In the framework of causal perturbation theory we analyze the gauge structure of a massless self-interacting quantum tensor field. We look at this theory from a pure field theoretical point of view without assuming any geometrical aspect from general relativity. To first order in the perturbation expansion of the $S$-matrix we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for such a theory to be gauge invariant, by which we mean that the gauge variation of the self-coupling with respect to the gauge charge operator $Q$ is a divergence in the sense of vector analysis. The most general trilinear self-coupling of the graviton field turns out to be the one derived from the Einstein-Hilbert action plus divergences and coboundaries.

hep-th↗

arXiv1996

Two-Loop Diagrams in Causal Perturbation Theory

The scalar two-loop master diagram is revisited in the massive cases needed for the computation of boson and fermion propagators in QED and QCD. By means of the causal method it is possible in a straightforward manner to express the propagators as double integrals. In the case of vacuum polarization both integrations can be carried out in terms of polylogarithms, whereas the last integral in the fermion propagator cannot be expressed by known special functions. The advantage of the method in comparison with Feynman integral calculations is indicated.

hep-th↗