Stable flat solutions in scale-invariant scalar-tensor theories carry a non-vanishing cosmological constant unless the quartic coupling vanishes, and this vanishing is not radiatively protected, making a residual CC generic.
New interpretation of the Minkowski limit of $R^2$ gravity
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abstract
It is well-established that the Minkowski limit of pure $f(R)=R^2$ gravity breaks down, unlike that of full Starobinsky theory $f(R)=R+\alpha R^2$. We provide a novel interpretation of this phenomenon using the recent thermal analogy between scalar-tensor gravity and Eckart's relativistic dissipative fluids. In this framework, we show that approaching the Minkowski background corresponds to a diverging effective ``gravitational temperature''. This perspective naturally rephrases the strong coupling problem as a thermal singularity, demonstrating that $R^2$ gravity departs infinitely far from General Relativity rather than recovering it.
fields
gr-qc 2years
2026 2verdicts
UNVERDICTED 2representative citing papers
The Minkowski limit of pure R² gravity is reinterpreted as a thermal singularity via scalar-tensor to Eckart fluid analogy, showing infinite departure from GR rather than recovery.
citing papers explorer
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The unavoidable de Sitter fate of a scale-invariant Universe
Stable flat solutions in scale-invariant scalar-tensor theories carry a non-vanishing cosmological constant unless the quartic coupling vanishes, and this vanishing is not radiatively protected, making a residual CC generic.
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New interpretation of the Minkowski limit of $R^2$ gravity
The Minkowski limit of pure R² gravity is reinterpreted as a thermal singularity via scalar-tensor to Eckart fluid analogy, showing infinite departure from GR rather than recovery.