On a model of quantum quadratic gravity in 7 + 1-dimensional spacetime

Abstract

We consider a quadratic gravity model supplemented by the terms $\nabla_μR\nabla^μR$ and $(\nabla^{2}R)^2$. For specific relations among the coupling constants, the action takes a perfect-square form. In the spatially flat FLRW model, we perform a reduction to a dynamical variable invariant under time reparameterizations. We construct a nonlinear change of variable that transforms the reduced action into the Gaussian action associated with the Wiener measure. An analysis of the transformation Jacobian within a time discretization singles out the case of $7+1$-dimensional spacetime, in which the Jacobian of the discrete transformation under consideration is independent of the dynamical variable. On this basis, we propose a formal representation of expectation values of observables in the reduced model as integrals with respect to the Wiener measure.