Quadratic Lagrangians and topology in gauge theory gravity (Q1977596)

The authors consider the effects of quadratic Lagrangians when gravity is considered as a gauge theory. Topological invariants impose restictions on the number of independent qudratic terms one can palce into the Lagrangian. In the gauge theory approach these invariants arise as boundary terms in the action integral. Ten independent quadratic terms are constructed from the Riemann tensor. The resulting field equations for the parity non-violating terms are presented. The Bianchi identity means that these terms do not contribute to the classical field equations, though they could become important in a quantum theory. The invariants have a natural analog in Euclidean gravity in the winding numbers of Yang-Mills instantons.