Universal Journal of Physics and Application Vol. 8(7), pp. 344 - 349
DOI: 10.13189/ujpa.2014.020704
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No vDVZ Discontinuity in Non-Fierz-Pauli Theories

Zurab Kakushadze ^1,2,*
1 Quantigic® Solutions LLC, 1127 High Ridge Road #135, Stamford, CT 06905
² Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, 1 University Place, Stamford, CT 06901

ABSTRACT

In theories of massive gravity with Fierz-Pauli mass term at the linearized level, perturbative radially symmetric asymptotic solutions are singular in the zero mass limit, hence van Dam-Veltman-Zakharov (vDVZ) discontinuity. In this note, in the context of gravitational Higgs mechanism, we argue that in non-Fierz-Pauli theories, which non-perturbatively are unitary, perturbative radially symmetric asymptotic solutions have a smooth massless limit, hence no vDVZ discontinuity. Perturbative vDVZ discontinuity as an artifact of the Fierz-Pauli mass term becomes evident in the language of constrained gravity, which is the massless limit of gravitational Higgs mechanism.

KEYWORDS
vDVZ Discontinuity, Fierz-Pauli Mass Term, Massive Gravity, Gravitational Higgs, Mechanism, Constrained Gravity

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Zurab Kakushadze , "No vDVZ Discontinuity in Non-Fierz-Pauli Theories," Universal Journal of Physics and Application, Vol. 8, No. 7, pp. 344 - 349, 2014. DOI: 10.13189/ujpa.2014.020704.

(b). APA Format:
Zurab Kakushadze (2014). No vDVZ Discontinuity in Non-Fierz-Pauli Theories. Universal Journal of Physics and Application, 8(7), 344 - 349. DOI: 10.13189/ujpa.2014.020704.