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María José Guzmán

Publications and source records attributed to María José Guzmán.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Projective Symmetry and Its Breaking in Quadratic Metric-Affine Gravity

We investigate generalized projective symmetry and its breaking in four-dimensional parity-even metric-affine gravity, considering an action linear in curvature and at most quadratic in torsion and nonmetricity. We derive the action of the generalized projective transformation on the irreducible components of the affine geometry and determine the coupling relations defining the axial, metric-trace, and fully projectively invariant theories. Complete invariance reduces the $12$ gravitational coefficients to a five-parameter family and generates four vectorial Noether identities for the connection equations. Projective invariance makes the connection operator singular, thus we develop a symmetry-adapted method for solving its vacuum field equations. We then analyze couplings to Dirac, electromagnetic, and complex Klein-Gordon fields. Locally exact axial-projective transformations correspond to chiral rotations for massless fermions at the classical level, while a combination of covectors acts as an Abelian connection linking a locally exact vector-projective representative to scalar $U(1)$ symmetry. Standard Maxwell theory is independent of the affine connection, whereas a torsion-dependent Maxwell-like extension can preserve both electromagnetic and projective invariance through compensating Stückelberg fields. Exact gravitational projective invariance makes the corresponding connection directions nondynamical and forces matter currents sourcing them to vanish. Controlled explicit breaking lifts these zero modes and converts them into auxiliary fields. Thus, projective symmetry provides a unified principle for identifying affine gauge modes, constraining matter couplings, and relating symmetry breaking in the gravitational sector to effective matter interactions.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2026

Primary Constraints of Newer General Relativity

We study the primary constraint structure of Newer General Relativity, a gravity theory based on a torsionless teleparallel geometry. The gravitational action is built from a scalar formed by quadratic combinations of the nonmetricity tensor, with arbitrary coefficients $c_i$ in the Lagrangian. We decompose the Lagrangian and compute the canonical momenta conjugate to the metric. We characterize the primary constraints arising from these momenta by identifying when the map between velocities and momenta becomes non-invertible, and organize the outcome through a fully nonlinear decomposition into scalar, vector and tensor sectors. Comparing with previous results in the literature, we recover five and three primary constraints associated with the tensor and vector sectors, respectively. We also identify a previously unreported degeneracy in the scalar sector, which yields either one or two scalar primary constraints depending on the conditions imposed on the parameters $c_i$. Finally, we obtain the primary constraints associated with the covariant formulation of symmetric teleparallel gravity.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2020

Pseudoinvariance and the extra degree of freedom in f(T) gravity

Nonlinear generalizations of teleparallel gravity entail the modification of a Lagrangian that is pseudoinvariant under local Lorentz transformations of the tetrad field. This procedure consequently leads to the loss of the local pseudoinvariance and the appearance of additional degrees of freedom (d.o.f.). The constraint structure of f(T) gravity suggests the existence of one extra d.o.f. when compared with GR, which should describe some aspect of the orientation of the tetrad. The purpose of this article is to better understand the nature of this extra d.o.f. by means of a toy model that mimics essential features of f(T) gravity. We find that the nonlinear modification of a Lagrangian L possessing a local rotational pseudoinvariance produces two types of solutions. In one case the original gauge-invariant variables -- the analogue of the metric in teleparallelism -- evolve like when governed by the (nondeformed) Lagrangian L; these solutions are characterized by a (selectable) constant value of its Lagrangian, which is the manifestation of the extra d.o.f. In the other case, the solutions do contain new dynamics for the original gauge-invariant variables, but the extra d.o.f. does not materialize because the Lagrangian remains invariant on-shell. Coming back to f(T) gravity, the first case includes solutions where the torsion scalar T is a constant, to be chosen at the initial conditions (extra d.o.f.), and no new dynamics for the metric is expected. The latter case covers those solutions displaying a genuine modified gravity; T is not a constant, but it is (on-shell) invariant under Lorentz transformations depending only on time. Both kinds of f(T) solutions are exemplified in a flat FLRW universe. Finally, we present a toy model for a higher-order Lagrangian with rotational invariance [analogous to f(R) gravity] and derive its constraint structure and number of d.o.f.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2019

Degrees of freedom and Hamiltonian formalism for $f(T)$ gravity

The existence of an extra degree of freedom (d.o.f.) in $f(T)$ gravity has been recently proved by means of the Dirac formalism for constrained Hamiltonian systems. We will show a toy model displaying the essential feature of $f(T)$ gravity, which is the pseudoinvariance of T under a local symmetry, to understand the nature of the extra d.o.f.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2019

Degrees of freedom and local Lorentz invariance in f(T) gravity

f(T) gravity is a generalization of the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity (TEGR), where T is the torsion scalar made up of the Weitzenböck connection. This connection describes a spacetime with zero curvature but with nonvanishing torsion, which fully encodes the gravitational phenomena. We will present recent results in f(T) gravity related with the issue of the degrees of freedom of the theory. In particular, we discuss the recent finding that f(T) gravity has one extra degree of freedom compared with TEGR, which was concluded through a detailed Hamiltonian analysis of the constraint structure of the theory. The physical interpretation of this result at the level of the trace of the equations of motion and its comparison with the f(R) case is discussed.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2018

Quest for the extra degree of freedom in f(T) gravity

It has recently been shown that $f(T)$ gravity has $\frac{n(n-3)}{2}+1$ physical degrees of freedom (d.o.f.) in $n$ dimensions, contrary to previous claims. The simplest physical interpretation of this fact is that the theory possesses a scalar d.o.f. This is the case of $f(R)$ gravity, a theory that can be understood in the Einstein frame as general relativity plus a scalaron. The scalar field that represents the extra d.o.f. in $f(T)$ gravity encodes information about the parallelization of the spacetime, which is detected through a reinterpretation of the equations of motion in both the teleparallel Jordan and Einstein frames. The trace of the equations of motion in $f(T)$ gravity shows the propagation of the scalar d.o.f., giving an accurate proof of its existence. We also provide a simple toy model of a physical system with rotational pseudoinvariance, like $f(T)$ gravity, which gives insights into the physical interpretation of the extra d.o.f. We discuss some implications and unusual features of the previously worked out Hamiltonian formalism for $f(T)$ gravity. Finally we show some mathematical tools to implement the Hamiltonian formulation in the Einstein frame of $f(T)$ gravity, which exhibits some problems that should be addressed in future works.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2018

Hamiltonian formalism for f(T) gravity

We present the Hamiltonian formalism for $f(T)$ gravity, and prove that the theory has $\frac{n(n-3)}{2}+1$ degrees of freedom (d.o.f.) in $n$ dimensions. We start from a scalar-tensor action for the theory, which represents a scalar field minimally coupled with the torsion scalar $T$ that defines the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity (TEGR) Lagrangian. $T$ is written as a quadratic form of the coefficients of anholonomy of the vierbein. We obtain the primary constraints through the analysis of the structure of the eigenvalues of the multi-index matrix involved in the definition of the canonical momenta. The auxiliary scalar field generates one extra primary constraint when compared with the TEGR case. The secondary constraints are the super-Hamiltonian and supermomenta constraints, that are preserved from the Arnowitt-Deser-Misner formulation of GR. There is a set of $\frac{n(n-1)}{2}$ primary constraints that represent the local Lorentz transformations of the theory, which can be combined to form a set of $\frac{n(n-1)}{2}-1$ first-class constraints, while one of them becomes second-class. This result is irrespective of the dimension, due to the structure of the matrix of the brackets between the constraints. The first-class canonical Hamiltonian is modified due to this local Lorentz violation, and the only one local Lorentz transformation that becomes second-class pairs up with the second-class constraint $π\approx 0$ to remove one d.o.f. from the $n^2+1$ pairs of canonical variables. The remaining $\frac{n(n-1)}{2}+2n-1$ primary constraints remove the same number of d.o.f., leaving the theory with $\frac{n(n-3)}{2}+1$ d.o.f. This means that $f(T)$ gravity has only one extra d.o.f., which could be interpreted as a scalar d.o.f.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2018

McVittie solution in f(T) gravity

We show that McVittie geometry, which describes a black hole embedded in a FLRW universe, not only solves Einstein equations but also remains as a non-deformable solution of f(T) gravity. This search for GR solutions that survive in f(T) gravity is facilitated by a null tetrad approach. We also show that flat FLRW geometry is a consistent solution of f(T) dynamical equations not only for $T=-6H^{2}$ but also for $T=0$, which could be a manifestation of the additional degrees of freedom involved in f(T) theories.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2016

Hamiltonian formulation of teleparallel gravity

The Hamiltonian formulation of the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity (TEGR) is developed from an ordinary second-order Lagrangian, which is written as a quadratic form of the coefficients of anholonomy of the orthonormal frames (vielbeins). We analyze the structure of eigenvalues of the multi-index matrix entering the (linear) relation between canonical velocities and momenta to obtain the set of primary constraints. The canonical Hamiltonian is then built with the Moore-Penrose pseudo-inverse of that matrix. The set of constraints, including the subsequent secondary constraints, completes a first class algebra. This means that all of them generate gauge transformations. The gauge freedoms are basically the diffeomorphisms, and the (local) Lorentz transformations of the vielbein. In particular, the ADM algebra of general relativity is recovered as a sub-algebra.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2015

Kerr geometry in f(T) gravity

Null tetrads are shown to be a valuable tool in teleparallel theories of modified gravity. We use them to prove that Kerr geometry remains a solution for a wide family of f(T) theories of gravity.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2014

Gravitino Dark Matter in Split Supersymmetry with Bilinear R-Parity Violation

In Split-SUSY with BRpV we show that the Gravitino DM solution is consistent with experimental evidence on its relic density and life time. We arrive at this conclusion by performing a complete numerical and algebraic study of the parameter space, including constraints from the recently determined Higgs mass, updated neutrino physics, and BBN constraints on NLSP decays. The Higgs mass requires a relatively low Split-SUSY mass scale, which is naturally smaller than usual values for reheating temperature, allowing the use of the standard expression for the relic density. We include restrictions from neutrino physics with three generations, and notice that the gravitino decay width depends on the atmospheric neutrino mass scale. We calculate the neutralino decay rate and find it consistent with BBN. We mention some implications on indirect DM searches.

hep-ph↗