Alternate Computation of Gravitational Effects from a Single Loop of Inflationary Scalars

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method for calculating the quantum corrections to gravitational effects caused by a loop of inflationary scalars on de Sitter space, including finite cosmological constant renormalization.

Contribution

It provides a novel computation of the graviton self-energy with a comprehensive tensor operator approach, improving upon previous analyses by including finite renormalization effects.

Findings

Logarithmic corrections to the Weyl tensor's electric components.

Modified gravitational potentials due to quantum effects.

Enhanced understanding of scalar loop effects on de Sitter spacetime.

Abstract

We present a new computation of the renormalized graviton self-energy induced by a loop of massless, minimally coupled scalars on de Sitter background. Our result takes account of the need to include a finite renormalization of the cosmological constant, which was not included in the first analysis. We also avoid preconceptions concerning structure functions and instead express the result as a linear combination of 21 tensor differential operators. By using our result to quantum-correct the linearized effective field equation we derive logarithmic corrections to both the electric components of the Weyl tensor for gravitational radiation and to the two potentials which quantify the gravitational response to a static point mass.