Interesting features of a general class of higher derivative theories of quantum gravity

TL;DR

This paper explores a broad class of higher derivative quantum gravity theories, analyzing their classical and quantum properties, particle spectra, renormalizability, and the relationship between renormalizability and Newtonian singularities.

Contribution

It introduces a generalized gauge condition, thoroughly examines particle spectra including ghosts, and assesses the renormalizability and UV behavior of these gravity theories.

Findings

Identification of ghost-like particles in the spectrum

Determination of power-counting renormalizability

Conjecture linking renormalizability with Newtonian singularity cancellation

Abstract

We investigate some classical and quantum aspects of a general class of higher derivative theories of gravity. We propose a generalized version of the so-called Teyssandier gauge condition and we investigative its implications on the linearized field equations. An exhaustive investigation on the particle spectra is done, including a discussion on the appearance of ghost-like particles. We investigate the UV properties and we determine the power-counting renormalizability of the theory. Finally we probe a conjecture which relates renormalizability with the cancellation of Newtonian singularities.