Non-minimal three-point interactions induce negative one-loop running of Wilson coefficients in gravitational EFTs, yet graviton loops generate positive IR contributions that dominate the bounds after smearing if the species number is bounded.
Causality Constraints on Corrections to the Graviton Three-Point Coupling
5 Pith papers cite this work. Polarity classification is still indexing.
5
Pith papers citing it
abstract
We consider higher derivative corrections to the graviton three-point coupling within a weakly coupled theory of gravity. Lorentz invariance allows further structures beyond the one present in the Einstein theory. We argue that these are constrained by causality. We devise a thought experiment involving a high energy scattering process which leads to causality violation if the graviton three-point vertex contains the additional structures. This violation cannot be fixed by adding conventional particles with spins $J \leq 2$. But, it can be fixed by adding an infinite tower of extra massive particles with higher spins, $J > 2$. In AdS theories this implies a constraint on the conformal anomaly coefficients $\left|{a - c \over c} \right| \lesssim {1 \over \Delta_{gap}^2}$ in terms of $\Delta_{gap}$, the dimension of the lightest single particle operator with spin $J > 2$. For inflation, or de Sitter-like solutions, it indicates the existence of massive higher spin particles if the gravity wave non-gaussianity deviates significantly from the one computed in the Einstein theory.
citation-role summary
background 2
citation-polarity summary
years
2026 5roles
background 2polarities
background 2representative citing papers
In D>4, gravitational EFTs with higher-derivative operators allow asymptotic superluminality around black holes, but in D=4 the asymptotic causal structure is identical to Schwarzschild and insensitive to corrections.
Black hole response theory in WQFT exactly reproduces the Aichelburg-Sexl shockwave metric, geodesics, and the transfer matrix for gravitational-wave scattering off it via post-Minkowskian resummation.
Higher-curvature EFT terms modify the photon sphere radius, critical impact parameter, and strong deflection coefficients, providing sensitive probes for constraints on quantum gravity effects via lensing and QNM spectra.
Dynamical Chern-Simons gravity is bounded by causality and perturbativity to produce only tiny corrections on macroscopic gravitational systems.
citing papers explorer
-
Negative running of gravitational positivity
Non-minimal three-point interactions induce negative one-loop running of Wilson coefficients in gravitational EFTs, yet graviton loops generate positive IR contributions that dominate the bounds after smearing if the species number is bounded.
-
On the Asymptotic Causal Structure in Gravitational EFTs
In D>4, gravitational EFTs with higher-derivative operators allow asymptotic superluminality around black holes, but in D=4 the asymptotic causal structure is identical to Schwarzschild and insensitive to corrections.
-
Black Hole Response Theory and its Exact Shockwave Limit
Black hole response theory in WQFT exactly reproduces the Aichelburg-Sexl shockwave metric, geodesics, and the transfer matrix for gravitational-wave scattering off it via post-Minkowskian resummation.
-
Photon Surfaces in Higher-Curvature Gravity: Implications for Quasinormal Modes and Gravitational Lensing
Higher-curvature EFT terms modify the photon sphere radius, critical impact parameter, and strong deflection coefficients, providing sensitive probes for constraints on quantum gravity effects via lensing and QNM spectra.
-
Theoretical and Observational Bounds on Dynamical Chern-Simons Gravity as an Effective Field Theory
Dynamical Chern-Simons gravity is bounded by causality and perturbativity to produce only tiny corrections on macroscopic gravitational systems.