Conformal invariance and particle aspects in general relativity

TL;DR

This paper investigates how breaking conformal symmetry in a gravitational model leads to particle-like behavior with variable mass, influenced by the conformal frame and local geometry, offering insights into particle aspects in general relativity.

Contribution

It introduces a method to break conformal symmetry via a preferred conformal frame, linking it to particle dynamics and mass variability in a gravitational context.

Findings

A local conformal change yields a Hamilton-Jacobi equation for a particle with adjustable mass.

Particle properties depend on the conformal factor and local geometric features.

The study offers interpretations connecting conformal symmetry breaking to particle behavior in gravity.

Abstract

We study the breakdown of conformal symmetry in a conformally invariant gravitational model. The symmetry breaking is introduced by defining a preferred conformal frame in terms of the large scale characteristics of the universe. In this context we show that a local change of the preferred conformal frame results in a Hamilton-Jacobi equation describing a particle with adjustable mass. In this equation the dynamical characteristics of the particle substantially depends on the applied conformal factor and local geometry. Relevant interpretations of the results are also discussed.