(Pseudo)issue of the conformal frame revisited

2006/12/12 by Valerio Faraoni, Shahn Nadeau · 20 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Differential Geometry Research #Affine transformation #Black Holes and Theoretical Physics #Classical mechanics #Computer science #Conformal gravity #Conformal map #Conformal symmetry #Cosmological constant #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Einstein #Equivalence (formal languages) #Frame (networking) #Geometry #Gravitational singularity #Mathematical physics #Mathematics #Parametrization (atmospheric modeling) #Physics #Pure mathematics #Quantum mechanics #Scalar (mathematics) #Theoretical physics #astro-ph #gr-qc #hep-th

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevd.75.023501

published as Phys.Rev.D75:023501,2007 · 29 pages, latex, to appear in Phys. Rev. D

arxiv created 2006/12/12 · openalex publication_date 2007/01/02 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

The issue of the equivalence between Jordan and Einstein conformal frames in scalar-tensor gravity is revisited, with the emphasis on implementing running units in the latter. The lack of affine parametrization for timelike worldlines and the cosmological constant problem in the Einstein frame are clarified, and a paradox in the literature about cosmological singularities appearing only in one frame is solved. While, classically, the two conformal frames are physically equivalent, they seem to be inequivalent at the quantum level.

Citations

• Measurements of Ω and Λ from 42 High‐Redshift Supernovae
• Palatini formulation of modified gravity with lnR terms
• Mach's Principle and a Relativistic Theory of Gravitation
• Quantum Fields in Curved Space
• The Gravity Lagrangian According to Solar System Experiments
• Ghost constraints on modified gravity
• Stability of modified gravity models
• A beta decay radiation signature from neutron-rich gamma-ray bursts?
• Time-dependent cosmological term
• Non-minimal couplings, quantum geometry and black-hole entropy
• Observational Evidence from Supernovae for an Accelerating Universe and a Cosmological Constant
• Consistent long distance modification of gravity from inverse powers of the curvature
• Is cosmic speed-up due to new gravitational physics?
• A test of general relativity using radio links with the Cassini spacecraft
• Renormalization of higher-derivative quantum gravity
• Structure of Phenomenological Lagrangians. I
• Equivalence Principle for Massive Bodies. II. Theory

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• Canf(R)modified gravity theories mimic aΛCDMcosmology?
• Inflation from R2 gravity: A new approach using nonlinear electrodynamics
• The horizon-entropy increase law for causal and quasi-local horizons and conformal field redefinitions
• f(R)gravity theories in Palatini formalism: Cosmological dynamics and observational constraints
• Scale Transformations in Metric-Affine Geometry
• Consistency of equations of motion in conformal frames
• A question mark on the equivalence of Einstein and Jordan frames
• On the past asymptotic dynamics of non-minimally coupled dark energy
• Equivalence of cosmological observables in conformally related scalar tensor theories
• Cosmological solutions of a nonlocal model with a perfect fluid
• Disformal scalar fields and the dark sector of the universe
• Invariant quantities in the scalar-tensor theories of gravitation
• Conformal frames in cosmology
• Dynamics of nonlocal cosmology
• Non-minimal inflation revisited
• Conformal frame dependence of inflation
• Conformally related metrics and Lagrangians and their physical interpretation in cosmology
• Observational tests of a two parameter power-law class modified gravity in Palatini formalism
• Hawking temperature of expanding cosmological black holes
• Breakdown of the initial value formulation of scalar-tensor gravity and its physical meaning