Is Asymptotically Weyl-Invariant Gravity Viable?

Abstract

We explore the cosmological viability of a theory of gravity defined by the Lagrangian $f(\mathcal{R})={\mathcal{R}}^{n\left(\mathcal{R}\right)}$ in the Palatini formalism, where $n\left(\mathcal{R}\right)$ is a dimensionless function of the Palatini scalar curvature $\mathcal{R}$ that interpolates between general relativity when $n\left(\mathcal{R}\right)=1$ and a locally scale-invariant and superficially renormalizable theory when $n\left(\mathcal{R}\right)=2$. We refer to this model as asymptotically Weyl-invariant gravity (AWIG). We analyse perhaps the simplest possible implementation of AWIG. A phase space analysis yields three fixed points with effective equation of states corresponding to de Sitter, radiation and matter-dominated phases. An analysis of the deceleration parameter suggests our model is consistent with an early and late period of accelerated cosmic expansion, with an intermediate period of decelerated expansion. We show that the model contains no obvious curvature singularities. Therefore, AWIG appears to be cosmologically viable, at least for the simple implementation explored.

arXiv comment14 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables. References added. Conforms with version published in PRD

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