Defocusing of Null Rays in Infinite Derivative Gravity

TL;DR

This paper establishes conditions under which null rays defocus in infinite derivative gravity, potentially avoiding singularities and supporting non-singular bouncing cosmologies.

Contribution

It identifies minimal defocusing criteria involving an extra scalar degree of freedom and infinite derivatives, without relying on specific background solutions.

Findings

Null rays can defocus under specified conditions.

Infinite derivative gravity can prevent spacetime singularities.

Supports non-singular bouncing cosmologies.

Abstract

Einstein's General theory of relativity permits spacetime singularities, where null geodesic congruences focus in the presence of matter, which satisfies an appropriate energy condition. In this paper, we provide a minimal defocusing condition for null congruences without assuming any Ansatz-dependent background solution. The two important criteria are: (1) an additional scalar degree of freedom, besides the massless graviton must be introduced into the spacetime; and (2) an infinite derivative theory of gravity is required in order to avoid tachyons or ghosts in the graviton propagator. In this regard, our analysis strengthens earlier arguments for constructing non-singular bouncing cosmologies within an infinite derivative theory of gravity, without assuming any Ansatz to solve the full equations of motion.