Massive gravity from a first-quantized perspective

Abstract

AbstractIn this work, we investigate the BRST quantization of the massive $${\mathcal {N}}=4$$ N = 4 supersymmetric spinning particle, with a twofold purpose: exploring different approaches to give mass to spinning particle models and formulating a first-quantized theory for massive gravity on both flat and curved spacetime. The main contribution of this study is the development of a worldline formulation of the linear theory of massive gravity, namely of the Fierz–Pauli theory, on a curved spacetime; such a theory describes the propagation of massive spin 2 particle on a non-flat background. Our results suggest that achieving the nilpotency of the BRST charge requires an Einstein spacetime with vanishing cosmological constant as the only viable consistent background. In the course of the analysis, we take the $${\mathcal {N}}=2$$ N = 2 supersymmetric worldline as an exemplificative model, correctly producing the Proca theory on curved spacetime. Our analysis shows that the associated BRST system uniquely selects the minimal coupling to the background curvature.