No-ghost theorem for the fourth-order derivative Pais-Uhlenbeck oscillator model

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dc.creatorBender, Carl M.
dc.creatorMannheim, Philip D.
dc.date2007-06-01
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T11:16:32Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T11:16:32Z
dc.descriptionContrary to common belief, it is shown that theories whose field equations are higher than second order in derivatives need not be stricken with ghosts. In particular, the prototypical fourth-order derivative Pais-Uhlenbeck oscillator model is shown to be free of states of negative energy or negative norm. When correctly formulated (as a $\cP\cT$ symmetric theory), the theory determines its own Hilbert space and associated positive-definite inner product. In this Hilbert space the model is found to be a fully acceptable quantum-mechanical theory that exhibits unitary time evolution.
dc.descriptionrevtex4, 4 pages
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/0706.0207
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/0706.0207
dc.identifierPhys.Rev.Lett.100:110402,2008
dc.identifierdoi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.110402
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/192703
dc.subjectHigh Energy Physics - Theory
dc.subjectGeneral Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
dc.subjectQuantum Physics
dc.titleNo-ghost theorem for the fourth-order derivative Pais-Uhlenbeck oscillator model
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