https://doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-025-14653-5
Regular Article -Theoretical Physics
Vector wormholes as conduits for matter interaction
1
Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
2
Cosmology and Gravity Group, Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7700, Cape Town, South Africa
3
Departamento de Física Fundamental, Universidad de Salamanca, P. de la Merced, 37008, Salamanca, Spain
4
Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Edifício C8, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
a
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Received:
9
January
2025
Accepted:
17
August
2025
Published online:
28
August
2025
Abstract
In this work, we focus on the dynamics of a massive one-form field, B, often referred to simply as a vector field, that is minimally coupled to standard Einstein gravity. In the framework of four-dimensional spacetimes, the theory of a massive one-form propagates three massive vector degrees of freedom. The inclusion of a self-interacting potential in this theory results in the breaking of gauge invariance. The breaking of such a fundamental symmetry in Classical Electromagnetism may introduce a ghost mode in massive vector theories, which generally leads to their instability. However, in the context of wormhole physics, the existence of at least one ghost degree of freedom turns out to be a necessary condition to support these exotic geometries within effective field theories. This requirement serves as a strong motivation for our work, wherein we explore the role and phenomenology of massive one-forms, minimally coupled to Einstein gravity, in providing the necessary conditions to sustain wormhole spacetimes. We further analyze the coupling of matter fields to such a vector field through conformal couplings and explore their impact on energy conditions and the physical viability of wormhole solutions.
© The Author(s) 2025
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