The Gauss-Bonnet Coupling Constant in Classically Scale-Invariant Gravity

Abstract

We discuss the renormalization of higher-derivative gravity, both without and with matter fields, in terms of two primary coupling constants rather than three. A technique for determining the dependence of the Gauss-Bonnet coupling constant on the remaining couplings is explained, and consistency with the local form of the Gauss-Bonnet relation in four dimensions is demonstrated to all orders in perturbation theory. A similar argument is outlined for the Hirzebruch signature and its coupling. We speculate upon the potential implications of instantons on the associated nonperturbative coupling constants.

11 pages, no figures, revtex-4.1. v2 includes additional references and minor changes in text. v3 has minor changes in text in Section II.B. Results unchanged

References in corpus (4)

• The Classical Universes of the No-Boundary Quantum State
• The No-Boundary Measure of the Universe
• The "in-in" Formalism and Cosmological Perturbations
• Naturalness and Dimensional Transmutation in Classically Scale-Invariant Gravity

Cited by in corpus (1)

• Black Hole Solutions in $R^2$ Gravity