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We present a new computation of the renormalized graviton self-energy induced by a loop of massless, minimally coupled scalars on de Sitter background. Our result takes account of the need to include a finite renormalization of the cosmological constant, which was not included in the first analysis. We also avoid preconceptions concerning structure functions and instead express the result as a linear combination of 21 tensor differential operators. By using our result to quantum-correct the linearized effective field equation we derive logarithmic corrections to both the electric components of the Weyl tensor for gravitational radiation and to the two potentials which quantify the gravitational response to a static point mass.
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This content will become publicly available on May 6, 2026
The third structure function
Abstract We re-consider the graviton self-energy induced by a loop of massless, minimally coupled scalars on de Sitter background. On flat space background it can be represented as a sum of two tensor differential operators acting on scalar structure functions. On a general background these differential operators can be constructed from the linearized Ricci scalar and the linearized Weyl tensor. However, in cosmology one requires a third contribution which we derive here.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2207514
- PAR ID:
- 10617547
- Publisher / Repository:
- Classical and Quantum Gravity
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Classical and Quantum Gravity
- Volume:
- 42
- Issue:
- 10
- ISSN:
- 0264-9381
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 105001
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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