A Class of Metric Theories of Gravitation on Minkowski Spacetime
Institut für Theoretische Physik der Universität
Innsbruck,
A-6020 Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, Austria
Received April 26, 1995; revised January 22, 1996
Abstract. A
class of metric theories of gravitation on Minkowski spacetime
is considered, which is - provided that certain assumptions
(staying close to the original ideas of Einstein) are made -
the almost most general one that can be considered. In addition
to the Minkowskian metric G a dynamical metric
H (called the Einstein metric) is defined by
means of a second-rank tensor field S (referred to as
gravitational potential). The theory is defined by a
Lagrangian 
, from which the
field equations as well as, e.g., the energy-momentum tensor
field for the gravitational field follow. The case of weak
fields is considered explicitly. The static, spherically and
time-inversal symmetric field is calculated, and as a first
step to investigate the theory's viability the parameters are
fitted to the experimental data of the perihelion advance and
the deflection of light at the Sun. Finally the question of
gauge freedoms in the gravitational potential is briefly
discussed.
Foundations
of Physics 26, 369-389 (1996).
Errata: Foundations of Physics 27, 823-826
(1997).