PIRSA:23100006

UV complete 4-derivative scalar field theory

Holdom, B. (2023). UV complete 4-derivative scalar field theory. Perimeter Institute. https://pirsa.org/23100006

Holdom, Bob. UV complete 4-derivative scalar field theory. Perimeter Institute, Oct. 24, 2023, https://pirsa.org/23100006 

          @misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:23100006,
            doi = {10.48660/23100006},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/23100006},
            author = {Holdom, Bob},
            keywords = {Quantum Gravity},
            language = {en},
            title = {UV complete 4-derivative scalar field theory},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2023},
            month = {oct},
            note = {PIRSA:23100006 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }

Bob Holdom University of Toronto

DOI 10.48660/23100006
Collection
Talk Type Conference
Subject

Abstract

A scalar field theory with 4-derivative kinetic terms and 4-derivative cubic and quartic couplings is presented as a proxy for quadratic gravity. Unitarity and positivity appear as the key issues in the scalar field theory, just as they do in quadratic gravity. We have extended some calculations to show how these issues are resolved in the high energy limit of the theory. The results also show how it is that differential cross sections can have good high energy behaviour.