Causality constraints on gravitational effective field theories
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
de Rham, Claudia
Tolley, Andrew J
Zhang, Jun
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We consider the effective field theory of gravity around black holes, and show that the coefficients of the dimension-8 operators are tightly constrained by causality considerations. Those constraints are consistent with—but tighter than—previously derived causality and positivity bounds and imply that the effects of one of the dimension-8 operators by itself cannot be observable while remaining consistent with causality. We then establish in which regime one can expect the generic dimension-8 and lower order operators to be potentially observable while preserving causality, providing a theoretical prior for future observations. We highlight the importance of “infrared causality” and show that the requirement of “asymptotic causality” or net (sub)luminality would fail to properly diagnose violations of causality.
Date Issued
2022-04-01
Date Acceptance
2022-03-07
Citation
Physical Review Letters, 2022, 128 (13), pp.1-6
ISSN
0031-9007
Publisher
American Physical Society
Start Page
1
End Page
6
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review Letters
Volume
128
Issue
13
Copyright Statement
© 2022 American Physical Society
Sponsor
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Identifier
https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000804568000013&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=a2bf6146997ec60c407a63945d4e92bb
Grant Number
ST/P000762/1
ST/T000791/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Physics
PHOTONS
TERMS
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 131102
Date Publish Online
2022-04-01