On the on-shell equivalence of general relativity and Holst theories with nonmetricity, torsion, and boundaries

Abstract: We study a generalization of the Holst action where we admit nonmetricity and torsion in manifolds with timelike boundaries (both in the metric and tetrad formalism). We prove that its space of solutions is equal to the one of the Palatini action. Therefore, we conclude that the metric sector is in fact identical to GR, which is defined by the Einstein-Hilbert action. We further prove that, despite defining the same space of solutions, the Palatini and (the generalized) Holst Lagrangians are not cohomologically equal. Thus, the presymplectic structure and charges provided by the Covariant Phase Space method might differ. However, using the relative bicomplex framework, we show the covariant phase spaces of both theories are equivalent (and in fact equivalent to GR), as well as their charges, clarifying some open problems regarding dual charges and their equivalence in different formulations.