Non-factorisable metrics and Gauss--Bonnet terms in higher dimensions

Abstract

An iterative construction of higher order Einstein tensors for a maximally Gauss-Bonnet extended gravitational Lagrangian was introduced in a previous paper. Here the formalism is extended to non-factorisable metrics in arbitrary ($d+1$) dimensions in the presence of superposed Gauss-Bonnet terms. Such a generalisation turns out to be remarkably convenient and elegant. Having thus obtained the variational equations we first construct bulk solutions, with nonzero and zero cosmological constant. It is also pointed out that in the absence of Gauss-Bonnet terms a Schwarzschild type solution can be obtained in the non-factorisable case. Two positive tension branes are then inserted and their tensions are obtained in terms of parameters in the warp factor. Relations to recent studies of several authors are pointed out.