Softly higher-derivative massive gravity

Abstract

Abstract In this work, we study the higher-derivative massive gravity in D-dimensional space-time with the mass term arisen due to a 2-brane embedded in a 4D Minkowski spacetime. We consider the effect of a resonance mass term from the DGP braneworld model for the higher-derivative massive gravity. Moreover, we add the gravitational Chern–Simons and Ricci–Cotton terms to this model and evaluate the graviton propagator using a basis of Barnes–Rivers spin projectors. Using the obtained propagator, we proceed with discussing the consistency of the model, writing the dispersion relations, and analyzing causality and unitarity.