FeynMG: a FeynRules extension for scalar-tensor theories of gravity

TL;DR

FeynMG is a Mathematica tool that extends FeynRules to automate the preparation of scalar-tensor gravity theories for Feynman diagram calculations, simplifying the inclusion of gravitational interactions.

Contribution

It introduces a new Mathematica package, FeynMG, that automates the preconditioning of Lagrangians in scalar-tensor gravity theories for FeynRules, streamlining calculations.

Findings

Automates the insertion of gravitational couplings into models.

Preconditions Lagrangians for FeynRules compatibility.

Facilitates output of Feynman rules for analysis.

Abstract

The ability to represent perturbative expansions of interacting quantum field theories in terms of simple diagrammatic rules has revolutionized calculations in particle physics (and elsewhere). Moreover, these rules are readily automated, a process that has catalysed the rise of symbolic algebra packages. However, in the case of extended theories of gravity, such as scalar-tensor theories, it is necessary to precondition the Lagrangian to apply this automation or, at the very least, to take advantage of existing software pipelines. We present a Mathematica code FeynMG, which works in conjunction with the well-known package FeynRules, to do just that: FeynMG takes as inputs the FeynRules model file for a non-gravitational theory and a user-supplied gravitational Lagrangian. FeynMG provides functionality that inserts the minimal gravitational couplings of the degrees of freedom specified in the model file, determines the couplings of the additional tensor and scalar degrees of freedom (the metric and the scalar field from the gravitational sector), and preconditions the resulting Lagrangian so that it can be passed to FeynRules, either directly or by outputting an updated FeynRules model file. The Feynman rules can then be determined and output through FeynRules, using existing universal output formats and interfaces to other analysis packages.