Linear perturbations of symmetric teleparallel gravity on Minkowski background

TL;DR

This paper investigates linear perturbations in symmetric teleparallel gravity on Minkowski space, revealing the degrees of freedom and effects of scalar couplings, thus advancing understanding of its dynamical properties.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of linear perturbations in general STG models, including scalar couplings, and establishes lower bounds on their degrees of freedom.

Findings

Identified degrees of freedom in various STG models.

Analyzed effects of scalar couplings on perturbations.

Provided bounds on the number of dynamical modes.

Abstract

Symmetric teleparallel gravity (STG) can be regarded as a modified gravity theory that lacks diffeomorphism symmetries, which complicates the calculation of its degrees of freedom. In this study, we analyze the linear perturbations of general STG models on a Minkowski background, considering both scenarios with and without scalar couplings. Furthermore, we provide lower bounds for the number of degrees of freedom associated with each model.