NEW CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT THE MAXWELL–PODOLSKY-LIKE THEORY THROUGH THE SYMPLECTIC EMBEDDING FORMALISM

Abstract

The Podolsky theory can be modified by changing the sign of the Maxwell term. In this case we have a Podolsky-like action with a different spectrum. This new theory was already analyzed by the literature at the propagator level. However, we believe that the results are inconclusive since a precise and entire comprehension, at the Lagrangian level, of this theory is still lacking. In this paper we show in an exact way, using the symplectic embedding formalism, that this Podolsky-like action is in fact dual equivalent to the Proca theory showing the same physical features.