Finite-Range Gravitation

Abstract

The possibility that gravitation has a finite range of the order of the Hubble radius is explored. A unique Lagrangian formulation of the theory is obtained from the dynamical postulate that the symmetri- cal energy-momentum tensor is the source of gravitation. While locally the theory leads to extremely small deviations from Einstein's theory, the effects of finite range become decisive on the cosmological scale. In particular, general covariance and the geometrical interpretation that goes with it have to be abandoned. The field equations and equations of motion of matter are however found sufficient to answer any physical question. A pulsating cosmological solution is explicitly worked out, and the cosmological- redshift formula obtained. The theory differs from Einstein's in that it does not contain statements that are even in principle unverifiable experimentally, like "the graviton mass is zero," and in that it is readily quantized. I. INTRODUCTIO