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

Abstract

A modified gravitational action is considered which involves the quantity $F_{μν}=\partial_μΓ_ν-\partial_νΓ_μ$, where $Γ_μ=Γ^α_{μα}$. Since $Γ_μ$ transforms like a U(1) gauge field under coordinate transformations terms such as $F^{μν}F_{μν}$ 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.