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Remarkably simple covariant graviton propagator in anti–de Sitter spacetime

Radu N. Moga and Kostas Skenderis

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Phys. Rev. D 113, 126022 – Published 22 June, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/lzqw-sp76

Abstract

We present remarkably simple covariant expressions for the graviton and ghost propagators in anti–de Sitter (AdS) spacetime valid in any spacetime dimension. In gravity there is a two-parameter family of covariant gauge-fixing conditions and the simplification occurs for a special choice of these parameters. In this gauge the graviton propagator satisfies ∇μμ∇νμGμν,α′β′(μ)=0, where μ is the geodesic distance between two points, and this condition implies an improved infrared behavior. This gauge choice is not possible in flat spacetime.

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Phys. Rev. D 113, 126022– Published 22 June, 2026
  • Received 19 January 2026
  • Accepted 29 May 2026
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