Abelian symmetry and the Palatini variation

Abstract

Independent variation of the metric and connection in the Einstein-Hilbert action, called the Palatini variation, is generally taken to be equivalent to the usual formulation of general relativity in which only the metric is varied. However, when an abelian symmetry is allowed for the connection, the Palatini variation leads to an integrable Weyl geometry, not Riemannian. We derive this result using two possible metric/connection pairs: (1) the metric and general coordinate connection and (2) the solder form and local Lorentz spin connection of Poincar\`e gauge theory. Both lead to the same conclusion. Finally, we relate our work to other treatments in the literature.