Generalized Galileons: All scalar models whose curved background extensions maintain second-order field equations and stress tensors

2009/06/30 by Cédric Deffayet, C. Deffayet, S. Deser +2 · 5 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Physics and Astronomy · #Black Holes and Theoretical Physics #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Geophysics and Gravity Measurements #gr-qc #hep-th

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevd.80.064015

published as Phys.Rev.D80:064015,2009 · 9 pages, no figure, RevTeX4 format; v2: reference added, final form for publication

arxiv created 2009/09/03 · openalex publication_date 2009/09/10 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29

Abstract

We extend to curved backgrounds all flat-space scalar field models that obey purely second-order equations, while maintaining their second-order dependence on both field and metric. This extension simultaneously restores to second order the, originally higher derivative, stress tensors as well. The process is transparent and uniform for all dimensions.

Citations

• The galileon as a local modification of gravity
• Covariant Galileon

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