Problems in field theoretical approach to gravitation

TL;DR

This paper examines the challenges in the field theoretical approach to gravity, proposing a preferred energy-momentum tensor to explain perihelion precession and discussing the implications of tensor improvements on energy density.

Contribution

It introduces a specific gravitational energy-momentum tensor that successfully explains perihelion precession within a field theoretical framework.

Findings

Preferred tensor yields positive energy density for Newtonian center.

Improvement techniques can adapt any tensor for gravitational wave equations.

Negative energy density arises when using improved tensors.

Abstract

We consider gravitational self interaction in the lowest approximation and assume that graviton interacts with gravitational energy-momentum tensor in the same way as it interacts with particles. We show that, using gravitational vertex with a preferred gravitational energy-momentum tensor, it is possible to obtain a metric necessary for explaining perihelion precession. The preferred gravitational energy-momentum tensor gives positive gravitational energy density of Newtonian center. We show also that, employing "improvement" technique, any gravitational energy-momentum tensor can be made suitable for using in gravitational wave equation for obtaining metric which explains perihelion precession. Yet the "improvement" leads to negative gravitational energy density of the Newtonian center.