Ruling out a higher spin field solution to the cosmological constant problem

TL;DR

This paper examines Dolgov's higher spin models as a solution to the cosmological constant problem, finding they lead to an unacceptably large effective Planck mass and significantly different gravitational wave properties from general relativity.

Contribution

The paper critically analyzes Dolgov's higher spin models, highlighting their issues with the effective Planck mass and gravitational wave characteristics.

Findings

Effective Planck mass is unacceptably large in these models.

Gravitational wave properties differ markedly from general relativity.

Models do not successfully solve the cosmological constant problem.

Abstract

We consider the modification of Newton's gravity law in Dolgov's higher spin models designed to compensate the cosmological constant. We find that the effective Planck mass is unacceptably large in these models. We also point out that the properties of gravitational waves are entirely different in these models as compared to general relativity.