Gauge Invariance and Second Class Constraints in 3-D Linearized Gravity

The Hamiltonian analysis for the linearized $\lambda R$ gravity around the Minkowski background is performed. The first-class and second-class constraints for arbitrary values of $\lambda$ are presented, and two physical degrees of freedom are reported. In addition, we remove the second-class constraints, and the generalized Dirac brackets are constructed; then, the equivalence between General Relativity and the $\lambda R$ theory is shown.

For many systems with second class constraints, the question posed in the title is answered in the negative. We prove this for a range of systems with two second class constraints. After looking at two examples, we consider a fairly general proof. It is shown that, to unravel gauge invariances in second class constrained systems, it is sufficient to work in the original phase space itself. Extension of the phase space by introducing new variables or fields is not required.

It is shown that a unified description of classical and `quantum mechanical' gravity in its linearized form is possible.

We present a detailed analysis of the Hamiltonian constraints of the d-dimensional tetrad-connection gravity where the non-dynamical part of the spatial connection is fixed to zero by an adequate guage transformation. This new action depending on the co-tetrad and the dynamical part of the spatial connection leads to Lorentz, scalar and vectorial first-class polynomial constraints obeying a closed algebra in terms of Poisson brackets. This algebra closes on the structure cons...

The Dirac-Bergmann algorithm is a recipe for converting a theory with a singular Lagrangian into a constrained Hamiltonian system. Constrained Hamiltonian systems include gauge theories -- general relativity, electromagnetism, Yang Mills, string theory, etc. The Dirac-Bergmann algorithm is elegant but at the same time rather complicated. It consists of a large number of logical steps linked together by a subtle chain of reasoning. Examples of the Dirac-Bergmann algorithm foun...

This work is an application of the second order gauge theory for the Lorentz group, where a description of the gravitational interaction is obtained which includes derivatives of the curvature. We analyze the form of the second field strenght, $G=\partial F +fAF$, in terms of geometrical variables. All possible independent Lagrangians constructed with quadratic contractions of $F$ and quadratic contractions of $G$ are analyzed. The equations of motion for a particular Lagrang...

To appear in proceedings of II Workshop on ``Constraints Theory and Quantisation Methods''Montepulciano (Siena) 1993} General discussion of the constraints of 2+1 gravity, with emphasis on two approaches, namely the second order and first order formalisms, and comparison with the four dimensional theory wherever possible. Introduction to an operator algebra approach that has been developed in the last few years in collaboration with T.Regge, and discussion of the quantisati...

The importance of the first-class constraint algebra of general relativity is not limited just by its self-contained description of the gauge nature of spacetime, but it also provides conditions to properly evolve the geometry by selecting a gauge only once throughout the whole evolution of a gravitational system. This must be a property of all background independent theories. In this paper we consider gravitational theories which arise from deformations of the fundamental ca...

In this short note we perform the Hamiltonian analysis of bimetric gravity with one particular form of potential between two metrics. We find that this theory have eight secondary constraints. We identify four constraints that are the first class constraints on condition when the interaction term obeys some specific condition. We show that for the form of the potential studied in this paper this condition is obeyed and hence we can interpret these first class constraints as g...

In Loop Quantum Gravity, tremendous progress has been made using the Ashtekar-Barbero variables. These variables, defined in a gauge-fixing of the theory, correspond to a parametrization of the solutions of the so-called simplicity constraints. Their geometrical interpretation is however unsatisfactory as they do not constitute a space-time connection. It would be possible to resolve this point by using a full Lorentz connection or, equivalently, by using the self-dual Ashtek...