Higher-derivative gravity in brane world models

We investigate brane world models in higher-derivative gravity theories where the gravitational Lagrangian is an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar. Making use of the conformal equivalence of such gravity models and Einstein–Hilbert gravity with a scalar field, we deduce the main features of higher-derivative gravity brane worlds. We solve for a gravity model that has corrections quadratic in the Ricci scalar and find it is possible to have a vanishing bulk cosmological constant. An analysis of tensor and scalar perturbations shows that gravity is localized on the brane, the Newtonian limit is recovered and the brane–bulk system appears to be stabilized.