Abstract
A ‘novel’ pure theory of Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity in four-spacetime dimensions can be constructed by rescaling the Gauss-Bonnet coupling constant, seemingly eluding Lovelock’s theorem. Recently, however, the well-posedness of this model has been called into question. Here we apply a ‘dimensional regularization’ technique, first used by Mann and Ross to write down a D → 2 limit of general relativity, to the case of pure Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity. The resulting four-dimensional action is a particular Horndeski theory of gravity matching the result found via a Kaluza-Klein reduction over a flat internal space. Some cosmological solutions of this four-dimensional theory are examined. We further adapt the technique to higher curvature Lovelock theories of gravity, as well as a low-energy effective string action with an α0 correction. With respect to the D → 4 limit of the α0-corrected string action, we find we must also rescale the dilaton to have a non-singular action in four dimensions. Interestingly, when the conformal rescaling Φ is interpreted as another dilaton, the regularized string action appears to be a special case of a covariant multi-Galileon theory of gravity.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 026 |
Journal | Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics |
Volume | 2020 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2020 |
Keywords
- Gravity
- Modified gravity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics