Dissipative stabilization of Ostrogradsky modes in non-equilibrium field theory
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arXiv
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2026
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| _version_ | 1866918515684933632 |
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| author | Gomes, Y. M. P. |
| author_facet | Gomes, Y. M. P. |
| contents | In this work, we investigate higher-derivative quantum field theories and the problem of Ostrogradsky instability within an open-system Keldysh-Lindblad framework. Coupling the ghost sector to dissipative baths generates non-perturbative effective masses and dissipative widths through self-consistent gap equations. Above a critical coupling, the nonequilibrium dynamics develops bifurcated dissipative branches, signaling the emergence of a dissipative phase transition and a nontrivial critical structure in parameter space. We find that the resulting dissipative dynamics can suppress ghost excitations through two distinct mechanisms: in one branch, a large dynamically generated effective mass preserves a quasiparticle-like excitation, while in the second branch, strong dissipative broadening destroys the quasiparticle character through overdamped dynamics. Our results suggest that dissipative effects may provide a nonequilibrium mechanism for the spectral suppression of Ostrogradsky ghosts. The comparison with the healthy sector indicates that the stabilization mechanism is intrinsically tied to the ghost-like spectral structure. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_21689 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Dissipative stabilization of Ostrogradsky modes in non-equilibrium field theory Gomes, Y. M. P. High Energy Physics - Theory General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology High Energy Physics - Phenomenology In this work, we investigate higher-derivative quantum field theories and the problem of Ostrogradsky instability within an open-system Keldysh-Lindblad framework. Coupling the ghost sector to dissipative baths generates non-perturbative effective masses and dissipative widths through self-consistent gap equations. Above a critical coupling, the nonequilibrium dynamics develops bifurcated dissipative branches, signaling the emergence of a dissipative phase transition and a nontrivial critical structure in parameter space. We find that the resulting dissipative dynamics can suppress ghost excitations through two distinct mechanisms: in one branch, a large dynamically generated effective mass preserves a quasiparticle-like excitation, while in the second branch, strong dissipative broadening destroys the quasiparticle character through overdamped dynamics. Our results suggest that dissipative effects may provide a nonequilibrium mechanism for the spectral suppression of Ostrogradsky ghosts. The comparison with the healthy sector indicates that the stabilization mechanism is intrinsically tied to the ghost-like spectral structure. |
| title | Dissipative stabilization of Ostrogradsky modes in non-equilibrium field theory |
| topic | High Energy Physics - Theory General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology High Energy Physics - Phenomenology |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.21689 |