Higher derivative theories with constraints: Exorcising Ostrogradski's ghost

Tai Jun Chen*, Matteo Fasiello, Eugene A. Lim, Andrew J. Tolley

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

114 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We prove that the linear instability in a non-degenerate higher derivative theory, the Ostrogradski instability, can only be removed by the addition of constraints if the original theory's phase space is reduced.

Original languageEnglish
Article number042
JournalJournal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Volume2013
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • gravity
  • modified gravity
  • quantum field theory on curved space

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