On the scalar sector of the covariant graviton two-point function in de Sitter spacetime

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the scalar sector of the covariant graviton two-point function in de Sitter spacetime, showing it does not affect gauge-invariant quantities and that long-distance growth is gauge-dependent.

Contribution

It clarifies the role of the scalar sector in the graviton two-point function and demonstrates the absence of long-distance growth in this sector across various gauges.

Findings

Scalar sector does not contribute to gauge-invariant two-point functions.

Long-distance growth is absent in this sector for many gauges.

Provides insights into gauge dependence of graviton correlators.

Abstract

We examine the scalar sector of the covariant graviton two-point function in de Sitter spacetime. This sector consists of the pure-trace part and another part described by a scalar field. We show that it does not contribute to two-point functions of gauge-invariant quantities. We also demonstrate that the long-distance growth present in some gauges is absent in this sector for a wide range of gauge parameters.