Metric variation of the covariant derivative

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the modified Einstein-Hilbert action incorporating a vector field \( A_\mu = (A_0(t), 0, 0, 0) \). The resulting field equation resembles Einstein's equation but includes an additional energy-momentum term \( T^A_{\mu \nu} \). The user seeks to derive the form of \( T^A_{\mu \nu} \) and its density \( \rho_A \), which is expressed as \( \rho_A = \frac{3}{2}H^2A_0^2 + 3HA_0 \dot{A}_0 - \frac{1}{2} \dot{A}^2_0 \). The challenge lies in handling variations in the covariant derivative and the Christoffel symbols, which complicate the derivation of \( T^A_{\mu \nu} \).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Einstein-Hilbert action and its modifications
  • Familiarity with covariant derivatives and Christoffel symbols
  • Knowledge of the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) metric
  • Basic concepts of tensor calculus and energy-momentum tensors
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the energy-momentum tensor from the Einstein-Hilbert action
  • Learn about variations in the covariant derivative and their implications
  • Explore the properties of the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker metric in cosmology
  • Investigate the role of the Christoffel symbols in general relativity
USEFUL FOR

Researchers in theoretical physics, particularly those focusing on general relativity, cosmology, and field theory. This discussion is beneficial for anyone working on modifications to the Einstein-Hilbert action and understanding the implications of vector fields in gravitational contexts.

Theo1808
Messages
1
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


Hi all, I currently have a modified Einstein-Hilbert action, with extra terms coming from some vector field A_\mu = (A_0(t),0,0,0), given by

\mathcal{L}_A = -\frac{1}{2} \nabla _\mu A_\nu \nabla ^\mu A ^\nu +\frac{1}{2} R_{\mu \nu} A^\mu A^\nu.

The resulting field equation has been given as R_{\mu \nu} - \frac{1}{2} R g_{\mu \nu} = 8 \pi G (T_{\mu \nu} + T^A _{\mu \nu}) i.e. the same as Einstein's equation but with an extra energy-momentum term coming from A_\mu. I'm trying to find the form of T^A _{\mu \nu} and I only know that the density associated with it (I assume T^A _{00}) is \rho_A = \frac{3}{2}H^2A_0^2+3HA_0 \dot{A}_0 - \frac{1}{2} \dot{A}^2 _0. (The metric used is FRW ds^2 = dt^2 - a^2(t) \delta_{ij}dx^idx^j).

Homework Equations



Searching around has found these (I think) useful relations: \frac{\delta g_{\mu \nu}}{\delta g^{\rho \sigma}} = -g_{\mu \rho}g_{\nu \sigma}, \frac{A^\mu}{\delta g^{\rho \sigma}} = 0 and \frac{A_\mu}{\delta g^{\rho \sigma}} = -g_{\mu \rho}A_\sigma

The Attempt at a Solution



So my problem is getting a analytical equation for variations in the covariant derivative. I can rewrite R_{\mu \nu} A^\mu A^\nu as \nabla _\mu A^\mu \nabla _\nu A^\nu - \nabla _\mu A^\nu \nabla _\nu A^\mu, so everything is in terms of covariant derivatives. The problem arises with variations in the Christoffel symbols. This gives me terms that are derivatives of \delta g_{\mu \nu}, which I'm not sure how to deal with (ultimately I'd want some expression all multiplied by \delta g^{\rho \sigma}. In the original EH action for example the variations in the connections are in a total derivative so they aren't needed to be evaluated. I tried to see what would happen if I ignored variations in the connection and with T^A _{\mu \nu} = - 2 \frac{\delta \mathcal{L}}{\delta g^{\rho \sigma}} + g_{\rho \sigma}\mathcal{L}, which gave me some of the terms in the density, but ultimately I believe I'm missing extra terms. Ignoring the variations in the connection, I get

T^A _{\rho \sigma} = \nabla_\rho A_\nu \nabla_\sigma A^\nu - g^{\mu \beta}\nabla_\mu A_\rho \nabla_\beta A_\sigma -\frac{1}{2} g_{\rho \sigma} g^{\alpha \mu} \nabla _\mu A_\nu \nabla _\alpha A ^\nu +\frac{1}{2} g_{\rho \sigma} R_{\mu \nu} A^\mu A^\nu.

The R_{\mu \nu} A^\mu A^\nu term gives me (finding the (00) term in T) a -\frac{3}{2}(\dot{H} + H^2)A_0^2 term. I also get that the first 2 terms in T_{00}, after using the substitution of connections in FRW, all cancel out or go to zero. While the third term gives me the -\frac{1}{2} \dot{A}^2 _0 and +\frac{3}{2}H^2A_0^2. The problem is then I'm missing a few terms which I think come from me ignoring variations in the connection.

Thanks for any help you might be able to give me.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: demon
If I am understanding you, you arrive at terms like ∂(δgμν) and you don't know how to factor it in terms of δgμν, is that right?

If so, I recently arrived to the same problem through a different action. Sadly I haven't found an answer yet, so I'll be watching this space... Also, if I find an answer I'll post it here.

By the way, would you mind letting me know where you found the relation
δgμν/δgρσ=−gμρgνσ

Thanks in advance
 
demon said:
By the way, would you mind letting me know where you found the relation
δgμν/δgρσ=−gμρgνσ

Please forget this last point, I got confused with δ and ∂ again...
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
0
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K