Conformal relations and Hamiltonian formulation of fourth-order gravity (Q1576230)
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English | Conformal relations and Hamiltonian formulation of fourth-order gravity |
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Conformal relations and Hamiltonian formulation of fourth-order gravity (English)
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24 August 2000
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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.
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fourth-order gravity
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Lagrange's equations
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Hamilton equations
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fourth-order cosmology
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