On the KG-constrained general disformal transformation of the Einstein-Hilbert action

TL;DR

This paper explores how the Einstein-Hilbert action transforms under a general disformal transformation within scalar-tensor theories, identifying constraints that simplify the resulting complex action and revealing dimension-dependent invariance properties.

Contribution

It introduces a set of three constraints that simplify the disformal transformation of the Einstein-Hilbert action, revealing dimension-specific behaviors and invariances.

Findings

In four dimensions, the transformed action includes a disformal contribution with a six-term Lagrangian.

In three dimensions, the disformal contribution reduces to a five-term Lagrangian.

In two dimensions, the Einstein-Hilbert action remains invariant under the constrained disformal transformation.

Abstract

Although with great successes in explaining phenomena and natural behaviour involving the Universe or a part thereof, the General Theory of Relativity is far from a complete theory. Focusing on its extension within the framework of scalar tensor theory, we investigate the transformation of the Einstein-Hilbert action under the general disformal transformation coupled with a set of triple KG constraints. The idea is that the general disformal transformation leads to an extremely complicated action necessitating a set of constraints to tame the resulting form. Motivated by previous studies on the invertibility and invariance of the massless Klein-Gordon equation under the general disformal transformation, we identify three constraints that significantly simplifies the transformed Einstein-Hilbert action. In four spacetime dimensions, we find that the transformed action is a sum of the original action and a disformal contribution involving a six-term Lagrangian that includes the Ricci tensor coupled to a sum of derivatives of scalar fields and kinetic terms. In three spacetime dimensions, the disformal contribution becomes a five-term Lagrangian. Lastly, in two spacetime dimensions, the Einstein-Hilbert action is invariant under the constrained disformal transformation.