Causality Constraints on Corrections to the Graviton Three-Point Coupling
read the original 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.
This paper has not been read by Pith yet.
Forward citations
Cited by 11 Pith papers
-
Wave-optics gravitational wave lensing in modified gravity
In a curvature-coupled propagation framework for modified gravity, gravitational-wave lensing in wave optics shows persistent infrared interactions that prevent the amplification factor from approaching unity at zero ...
-
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.
-
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 ...
-
Positivity with Long-Range Interactions
Defines IR-finite amplitudes M_E that preserve analyticity and unitarity to derive positivity bounds on EFTs including electromagnetism and gravity in D=4.
-
Multipositivity Constrains the Chiral Lagrangian
Multipositivity bounds derived from planar tree-level scattering amplitudes constrain Wilson coefficients of the chiral Lagrangian from below by the chiral anomaly.
-
The Equivalence Principle at High Energies Completes the Spectrum
Tree-level gravitational scattering under the equivalence principle mandates single-particle states in all irreducible representations constructible from a single seed charge, with equal interaction strengths.
-
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.
-
Leading effective field theory corrections to the Kerr metric at all spins
Numerical solutions show that leading effective-field-theory corrections to the Kerr metric grow with spin and are largest near extremality.
-
IR side of bounds on Theories with Spontaneously Broken Lorentz Symmetry
The analysis shows that analyticity bounds in Lorentz-broken theories require gapped excitations to propagate slower than gapless ones at low momenta relative to the mass gap.
discussion (0)
Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.