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.