Canonical general relativity: Matter fields in a general linear frame

Building on the results of previous work [M. A. Clayton, "Canonical general relativity: Diffeomorphism constraints and spatial frame transformations," J. Math. Phys. 39, 3805-3816 (1998)], we demonstrate how matter fields are incorporated into the general linear frame approach to general relativity. When considering the Maxwell one-form field, we find that the system that leads naturally to canonical vierbein general relativity has the extrinsic curvature of the Cauchy surface represented by gravitational as well as nongravitational degrees of freedom. Nevertheless the metric compatibility conditions are undisturbed, and this apparent derivative-coupling is seen to be an effect of working with (possibly orthonormal) linear frames. The formalism is adapted to consider a Dirac Fermion, where we find that a milder form of this apparent derivative-coupling appears. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0022-2488(99)03407-6].