Are there Spin-2 bosons other than graviton?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the existence of spin-2 bosons beyond the graviton, exploring whether quantum field theory (QFT) allows for such particles. Participants examine theoretical implications, potential mass, and the nature of interactions involving spin-2 bosons, including comparisons to spin-1 bosons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire whether there are spin-2 bosons other than the graviton and if QFT permits their existence.
  • One participant suggests that the spin-2 excitation is linked to diffeomorphism invariance, similar to how spin-1 excitations relate to U(1) symmetry, and discusses the possibility of generating massive gravitons by breaking this symmetry.
  • Another participant raises questions about the implications of breaking diffeomorphism invariance and the generation of massive gravitons.
  • There is mention of the need to modify general relativity (GR) if gravitons are massive, with references to theories like massive gravity and the Yukawa behavior of gravitational potential in such contexts.
  • Some participants propose the possibility of having both massless gravitons and massive spin-2 bosons.
  • One participant asserts that the unique fundamental spin-2 particle is the graviton, expressing surprise if this theorem does not apply to massive gravitons, while noting the existence of composite particles with spin-2.
  • Another participant questions the uniqueness of the fundamental structure of gravity and seeks references for the theorem regarding massless spin-2 particles.
  • There are inquiries about the existence of theorems that include massive spin-2 bosons and their potential connection to phenomena like dark matter or dark energy.
  • One participant states that spin-2 bosons are attractive only, contrasting them with spin-1 bosons that can both attract and repel, while another challenges this notion by discussing the implications of negative energy density.
  • Concerns are raised about the validity of claims regarding antigravity effects of antimatter, with references to energy density and Hawking radiation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features multiple competing views regarding the existence and nature of spin-2 bosons, with no consensus reached on whether other spin-2 bosons exist or the implications of their potential mass.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the implications of breaking diffeomorphism invariance and the existence of theorems related to massive spin-2 bosons. The discussion also highlights the complexity of interactions involving spin-2 particles, particularly in relation to energy density and gravitational effects.

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Are there Spin-2 bosons other than graviton? Does QFT allow for this?

Spin-1 bosons not only includes photons, but W Z bosons and gluons

could there be spin-2 bosons that have mass or have other types of charges?
 
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The spin 2 excitation is the gauge boson associated with diffeomorphism (coordinate) invariance, much as the spin 1 excitation is associated with U(1) symmetry. In field theory, massless gauge bosons can be given a mass by breaking the symmetry under which they are charged. One could therefore generate a massive graviton by breaking diffeomorphism invariance.
 
bapowell said:
The spin 2 excitation is the gauge boson associated with diffeomorphism (coordinate) invariance, much as the spin 1 excitation is associated with U(1) symmetry. In field theory, massless gauge bosons can be given a mass by breaking the symmetry under which they are charged. One could therefore generate a massive graviton by breaking diffeomorphism invariance.

What are the implications of breaking diffeomorphism invariance and generating massive gravitons?
 
If gravitons are massive, then GR would need to be modified. There has been a bit of work on these ideas, termed massive gravity. For example, in linearized (weak) massive gravity, the Newton gravitational potential [itex]\propto 1/r[/itex] of the massless theory exhibits a Yukawa behavior, [itex]\propto e^{-r}/r[/itex]. The DGP brane model also predicts massive gravitons, but I have not studied these theories closely.
 
bapowell said:
If gravitons are massive, then GR would need to be modified. There has been a bit of work on these ideas, termed massive gravity. For example, in linearized (weak) massive gravity, the Newton gravitational potential [itex]\propto 1/r[/itex] of the massless theory exhibits a Yukawa behavior, [itex]\propto e^{-r}/r[/itex]. The DGP brane model also predicts massive gravitons, but I have not studied these theories closely.

couldn't you have both massless gravitons and massive spin-2 bosons?
 
It can be shown that the unique fundamental spin-2 particle is the graviton. I believe that pertains to the massless graviton; I'd be surprised if the theorem did not apply to massive gravitons but I haven't looked into it. However, I will point out that there is nothing wrong with composite particles with spin-2 (composites of more elementary, less-than-spin-2 particles).
 
chrispb said:
It can be shown that the unique fundamental spin-2 particle is the graviton.
That is interesting.

Usually in gauge theories you can modify the underlying group structure and generate different spin-1 gauge bosons (photon, gluon, W, Z, ...). Now you say that this is different for gravity, that there is exactly one fundametal structure i.e. GR with diff. inv. or (which is equivalent) Poincare gauge symmetry and that it is not possible to modify this theory or to "add" a new structure coming with similar but not identical spin-2 gauge bosons.

Do you have a reference or a name for that theorem?
 
tom.stoer said:
Do you have a reference or a name for that theorem?
There are many papers on it. See e.g. Refs. [6-12] in
http://xxx.lanl.gov/abs/gr-qc/9901057
By the way, the theorem refers to massless spin-2 particles only.
 
Demystifier said:
There are many papers on it. See e.g. Refs. [6-12] in
http://xxx.lanl.gov/abs/gr-qc/9901057
By the way, the theorem refers to massless spin-2 particles only.

Is there any theorem that includes massive spin-2 bosons?

Could there be phenomena, for example MOND or DM, or dark energy, that could be explained in terms of either massive spin-2 bosons or composite spin-2 fields/particles?http://prl.aps.org/abstract/PRL/v94/i18/e181102

Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 181102 (2005) [4 pages]
Massive Graviton as a Testable Cold-Dark-Matter Candidate
Abstract
References
Citing Articles (43)
Download: PDF (89 kB) Buy this article Export: BibTeX or EndNote (RIS)

S. L. Dubovsky1,3, P. G. Tinyakov2,3, and I. I. Tkachev1,3
1Department of Physics, CERN Theory Division, CH-1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland
2Service de Physique Théorique, Université Libre de Bruxelles, CP225, boulevard du Triomphe, B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgium
3Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 60th October Anniversary Prospect, 7a, 117312 Moscow, Russia

Received 19 November 2004; published 9 May 2005

We construct a consistent model of gravity where the tensor graviton mode is massive, while linearized equations for scalar and vector metric perturbations are not modified. The Friedmann equation acquires an extra dark-energy component leading to accelerated expansion. The mass of the graviton can be as large as ∼(1015  cm)-1, being constrained by the pulsar timing measurements. We argue that nonrelativistic gravitational waves can comprise the cold dark matter and may be detected by the future gravitational wave searches.
 
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  • #10
To answer the original question: spin 2 bosons are attractive only, the other forces mediated by spin 1 bosons both attract and repel. So I don't believe there are any other spin 2 bosons.
 
  • #11
cosmik debris said:
To answer the original question: spin 2 bosons are attractive only, the other forces mediated by spin 1 bosons both attract and repel. So I don't believe there are any other spin 2 bosons.

I'm not sure about the spin-2 boson being attractive only. Mathematically if you had a region of negative energy density it should emit bosons which repel regions of positive energy density.
 
  • #12
Antiphon said:
I'm not sure about the spin-2 boson being attractive only. Mathematically if you had a region of negative energy density it should emit bosons which repel regions of positive energy density.

Oh and there are claims that matter-antimatter antigravitates: http://arXiv.org/pdf/1103.4937
 
  • #13
That's not well founded. Antimatter has positive energy density since the annihilation releases 2mc^2 of energy.

The closest thing resembling negative energy density that I know of is the particle that falls into a black hole in Hawking radiation and reduces the gravity of the black hole. Assuming that it really happens, the spin-2 bosons from that particle should repel, no?
 

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