A Lagrangian is obtained which is invariant under space-time dependent changes in the units of mass, length and time. It contains two scalar fields, one of which is effectively the Brans-Dicke scalar (varying gravitational constant), while the other can be interpreted as a creation-field.

A new generalisation of Einstein’s theory is proposed which is invariant under conformal mappings. Two scalar fields are introduced in addition to the metric tensor field, so that two special choices of gauge are available for physical interpretation, the ‘Einstein gauge’ and the ‘atomic gauge’. The theory is not unique but contains two adjustable parameters ζ anda. Witha=1 the theory viewed from the atomic gauge is Brans-Dicke theory (ω=−3/2+ζ/4). Any other choice ofa leads to a creation-field theory. In particular the theory given by the choicea=−3 possesses a cosmological solution satisfying Dirac’s ‘large numbers’ hypothesis.

The improvement terms in the generalised energy-momentum tensor of Callan, Coleman and Jackiw can be derived from a variational principle if the Lagrangian is generalised to describe coupling between ‘matter’ fields and a spin-2 boson field. The required Lorentz-invariant theory is a linearised version of Kibble-Sciama theory with an additional (generally-covariant) coupling term in the Lagrangian. The improved energy-momentum tensor appears as the source of the spin-2 field, if terms of second order in the coupling constant are neglected.

Poincaré gauge theory is derived from a linear theory by the method suggested by Gupta for deriving Einstein’s general relativity from the linear theory of a spin-2 field. Non-linearity is introduced by requiring that a set of tensor fields be coupled to the Noether currents of the Poincaré group (energy-momentum and spin).

A unified gauge theory of massless and massive spin-2 fields is of considerable current interest. The Poincaré gauge theories with quadratic Lagrangian are linearized, and the conditions on the parameters are found which will lead to viable linear theories with massive gauge particles. As well as the 2⁺ massless gravitons coming from the translational gauge potential, the rotational gauge potentials, in the linearized limit, give rise to 2⁺ and 2⁻ particles of equal mass, as well as a massive pseudoscalar.