Conformal relations and Hamiltonian formulation of fourth-order gravity (Q1576230)

The paper considers the task to find a Hamiltonian formulation for a fourth-order field theory. In the Ostrogradski approach, first derivatives of the field functions become new field functions. In a related approach, the field equations are expanded with respect to a small parameter and can be decomposed into second-order equations corresponding to the parameter orders. The author mentions problems with these procedures and proposes an ``alternative'' approach, where second derivatives become new field functions and where a suitable divergence term is added to the Lagrangian. Fourth-order cosmology is discussed as an example. Moreover, stability problems are considered and the relevant literature (65 titles) is reviewed.