Spin-2 fields, Lee-Wick Ghosts, and GUP

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Alshal, Hassan, Vagenas, Elias C., Van Kortryk, Thomas
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Alshal, Hassan
Vagenas, Elias C.
Van Kortryk, Thomas
author_facet Alshal, Hassan
Vagenas, Elias C.
Van Kortryk, Thomas
contents We revisit the structure of higher-derivative spin-2 theories from the perspective of the Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP). We show that a minimal GUP deformation of the Fierz-Pauli (FP) action induces a higher-derivative kinetic operator equivalent, at quadratic order, to the spin-2 sector of Stelle's curvature-squared gravity. Via an auxiliary-field formulation, the GUP-generated higher derivative can be recast as a Lee-Wick (LW) partner of the spin-2. We then demonstrate that the same GUP deformation is compatible with the Galileon structure governing the helicity-0 mode in dRGT massive gravity. The GUP corrections reduce to total derivatives, preserving the absence of the Boulware-Deser ghost. Our results unify GUP models, LW quantization, and curvature-squared gravity into a single framework, in which the higher-derivative spin-2 ghost is rendered non-propagating while the nonlinear massive completion remains intact.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2512_24144
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Spin-2 fields, Lee-Wick Ghosts, and GUP
Alshal, Hassan
Vagenas, Elias C.
Van Kortryk, Thomas
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Physics - Theory
We revisit the structure of higher-derivative spin-2 theories from the perspective of the Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP). We show that a minimal GUP deformation of the Fierz-Pauli (FP) action induces a higher-derivative kinetic operator equivalent, at quadratic order, to the spin-2 sector of Stelle's curvature-squared gravity. Via an auxiliary-field formulation, the GUP-generated higher derivative can be recast as a Lee-Wick (LW) partner of the spin-2. We then demonstrate that the same GUP deformation is compatible with the Galileon structure governing the helicity-0 mode in dRGT massive gravity. The GUP corrections reduce to total derivatives, preserving the absence of the Boulware-Deser ghost. Our results unify GUP models, LW quantization, and curvature-squared gravity into a single framework, in which the higher-derivative spin-2 ghost is rendered non-propagating while the nonlinear massive completion remains intact.
title Spin-2 fields, Lee-Wick Ghosts, and GUP
topic General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Physics - Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.24144