Galileon-like vector fields

Abstract

We construct simple Lagrangians of vector fields which involve second derivatives, but nevertheless lead to second order field equations. These vector fields are, therefore, analogs of generalized Galileons. Our construction is given first in Minkowski space, and then generalizied to include dynamical gravity. We present examples of backgrounds that are stable and ghost-free despite the absence of gauge invariance. Some of these backgrounds violate the Null Energy Condition.