Einstein-Maxwell and Einstein-Proca theory from a modified gravitational action

Abstract

A modified gravitational action is considered which involves the quantity $F_{\mu\nu}=\partial_{\mu}\Gamma_{\nu}-\partial_{\nu}\Gamma_{\mu}$, where $\Gamma_{\mu}=\Gamma^{\alpha}_{\mu\alpha}$. Since $\Gamma_{\mu}$ transforms like a U(1) gauge field under coordinate transformations terms such as $F^{\mu\nu}F_{\mu\nu}$ are invariant under coordinate transformations. If such a term is added to the usual gravitational action the resulting field equations, obtained from a Palatini variation, are the Einstein-Proca equations. The vector field can be coupled to point charges or to a complex scalar density of weight $ie$, where $e$ is the charge of the field. If this scalar density is taken to be $g^{-ie/2}$ and the overall factor of the scalar density Lagrangian takes on a particular value the resulting field equations are the Einstein-Maxwell equations.