https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-024-12799-2
Regular Article - Theoretical Physics
Massive gravity from a first-quantized perspective
1
Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia “Augusto Righi”, Università di Bologna, via Irnerio 46, 40126, Bologna, Italy
2
INFN, Sezione di Bologna, via Irnerio 46, 40126, Bologna, Italy
Received:
22
February
2024
Accepted:
5
April
2024
Published online:
30
April
2024
In this work, we investigate the BRST quantization of the massive 
supersymmetric spinning particle, with a twofold purpose: exploring different approaches to give mass to spinning particle models and formulating a first-quantized theory for massive gravity on both flat and curved spacetime. The main contribution of this study is the development of a worldline formulation of the linear theory of massive gravity, namely of the Fierz–Pauli theory, on a curved spacetime; such a theory describes the propagation of massive spin 2 particle on a non-flat background. Our results suggest that achieving the nilpotency of the BRST charge requires an Einstein spacetime with vanishing cosmological constant as the only viable consistent background. In the course of the analysis, we take the 
supersymmetric worldline as an exemplificative model, correctly producing the Proca theory on curved spacetime. Our analysis shows that the associated BRST system uniquely selects the minimal coupling to the background curvature.
© The Author(s) 2024
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