Physics (Internal)

Causality Constraints on Corrections to the Graviton Three-Point Coupling

This event is part of the HET Seminar Series.

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≤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 ∣∣a−cc∣∣≲1Δ2gap in terms of Δgap, 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