On the equivalence of Jordan and Einstein frames in scale-invariant gravity

TL;DR

This paper investigates the classical equivalence of scale-invariant gravity models in Einstein and Jordan frames, revealing that they are not equivalent due to Ricci-flat solutions existing only in the Jordan frame.

Contribution

It demonstrates that scale-invariant gravity models, including quadratic and general $f(R)$ theories, are not fully equivalent in the two frames because of Ricci-flat solutions exclusive to the Jordan frame.

Findings

Ricci-flat solutions in quadratic gravity break frame equivalence

Minkowski metric exists only in the Jordan frame

Scale-invariant gravity models have non-mappable Ricci-flat solutions

Abstract

In this note we consider the issue of the classical equivalence of scale-invariant gravity in the Einstein and in the Jordan frames. We first consider the simplest example $f(R)=R^{2}$ and show explicitly that the equivalence breaks down when dealing with Ricci-flat solutions. We discuss the link with the fact that flat solutions in quadratic gravity have zero energy. We also consider the case of scale-invariant tensor-scalar gravity and general $f(R)$ theories. We argue that all scale-invariant gravity models have Ricci flat solutions in the Jordan frame that cannot be mapped into the Einstein frame. In particular, the Minkowski metric exists only in the Jordan frame. In this sense, the two frames are not equivalent.