International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An explicit form of the transformation matrix in sin-dimensional space-time is given both for subluminal and superluminal cases, and it is shown how a single formalism can be used for both bradyons and tachyons. (author).

CERN Document Server

We carry out a Lie group analysis of the Sachs equations for a time-dependent axisymmetric non-rotating space-time in which the Ricci tensor vanishes. These equations, which are the first two members of the set of Newman-Penrose equations, define the characteristic initial-value problem for the space-time. We find a particular form for the initial data such that these equations admit a Lie symmetry, and so defines a geometrically special class of such spacetimes. These should additionally be of particular physical interest because of this special geometric feature.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We study an analytical solution to the Einstein's equations in 2 + 1-dimensions. The space-time is dynamical and has a line symmetry. The matter content is a minimally coupled, massless, scalar field. Depending on the value of certain parameters, this solution represents three distinct space-times. The first one is at space-time. Then, we have a big bang model with a negative curvature scalar and a real scalar field. The last case is a big bang model with event horizons where the curvature scalar vanishes and the scalar field changes from real to purely imaginary. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We write a space-time Feynman Path Integral representation for scattered wave fields from a weakly/compact supported anisotropic non-homogeneity. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The wave equation of a spinless tachyon is studied in Schwarzschild space-time. In contrast to earlier approaches to the problem, it is shown that tachyonic static solutions satisfy a simple second-order linear differential equation regardless of the mass of the black hole and the mass parameter of the tachyon. Physical implication of the present approach is discussed. Using Langer modification of the WKB (Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin) boundary condition an expression similar to the Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization condition is derived.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The propriety of the cosmic no-hair conjecture to the Bianchi-type-IX spacetime is discussed from a quantum cosmological point of view. It is shown that most, but not all, classical universes which are created quantum cosmologically are inflationary. The probability of inflation among such universes is also discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The author presents his views on the interrelation of quantum theory, space-time, Lorentz covariance and tachyons. He makes general observations on the nature of these topics and in particular on the nature of the mathematics used for their description and, without reaching any definite conclusions, points out some areas which require further critical examination. (W.D.L.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The stability properties of a class of spacetimes with quasiregular singularities is discussed. Quasiregular singularities are the end points of incomplete, inextendible geodesics at which the Riemann tensor and its derivatives remain at least bounded in all parallel-propagated orthonormal (PPON) frames; observers approaching such a singularity would find that their world lines come to an end in a finite proper time. The Taub-NUT (Newman-Unti-Tamburino)-type cosmologies investigated are R"1 x T"3 and R"3 x S"1 flat Kasner spacetimes, the two-parameter family of spatially homogeneous but anisotropic Bianchi type-IX Taub-NUT spacetimes, and an infinite-dimensional family of Einstein-Rosen-Gowdy spacetimes studied by Moncrief. The behavior of matter near the quasiregular singularity in each of these spacetimes is explored through an examination of the behavior of the stress-energy ...

CERN Document Server

Within the context of space-time (D-particle) foam in string/brane-theory it is demonstrated that it is possible to generate non-extensive statistics. The D-particle foam model involves point-like brane defects (D-particles), which provide the topologically non-trivial foamy structures of space-time. The D-particles can capture and emit stringy matter and this leads to a recoil of D-particles. It is indicated how one effect of such a recoil of D-particles is a back reaction on the space-time metric of Finsler type which is stochastic. We show that such a type of stochastic space-time foam can lead to cosmological effects similar to those induced by modifications of particle distributions within the framework of Tsallis entropies. The restrictions placed on the free parameters of the Finsler type metric are obtained from solving the Boltzmann equation in this background for relic abundances of a Lightest ...

CERN Document Server

General relativity postulates the Minkowski space-time to be the standard flat geometry against which we compare all curved space-times and the gravitational ground state where particles, quantum fields and their vacuum states are primarily conceived. On the other hand, experimental evidences show that there exists a non-zero cosmological constant, which implies in a deSitter space-time, not compatible with the assumed Minkowski structure. Such inconsistency is shown to be a consequence of the lack of a application independent curvature standard in Riemann's geometry, leading eventually to the cosmological constant problem in general relativity. We show how the curvature standard in Riemann's geometry can be fixed by Nash's theorem on locally embedded Riemannian geometries, which imply in the existence of extra dimensions. The resulting gravitational theory is more general than general relativity, similar to brane-world ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The scattering of a charged scalar field on Coulomb potential on de Sitter space-time is studied using the solution of the free Klein-Gordon equation. We find that the scattering amplitude is independent of the choice of the picture and in addition the total energy is conserved in the scattering process.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We obtain the T-duality transformations of space-time spinors (the supersymmetry transformation parameters, gravitinos and dilatinos) of type-II theories in curved backgrounds with an isometry. The transformation of the spinor index is shown to be a consequence of the twist that T-duality introduces between the left- and right-moving local Lorentz frames. The result is then used to derive the T-duality action on Ramond-Ramond field strengths and potentials in a simple way. We also discuss the massive IIA theory and, using duality, give a short derivation of 'mass'-dependent terms in the Wess-Zumino actions on the D-brane world-volumes.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We investigate, from a spacetime perspective, some aspects of Horowitz's recent conjecture that black strings may catalyze the decay of Kaluza-Klein spacetimes into a bubble of nothing. We identify classical configurations that interpolate between flat space and the bubble, and discuss the energetics of the transition. We investigate the effects of winding tachyons on the size and shape of the barrier and find no evidence at large compactification radius that tachyons enhance the tunneling rate. For the interesting radii, of order the string scale, the question is difficult to answer due to the failure of the {alpha}' expansion.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Each choice of an arbitrary nonzero function f of the four immersion parameters is shown to determine 16N[f] distinguishable classes of two-parameter families of immersions of Einstein-Riemann spacetimes in six-dimensional flat spaces, where N[f] is the number of regular immersion parameter domains. The metric tensors, curvature tensors and the immersion loci are calculated in a closed form, and these calculations involve only finitely many algebraic operations. The presence of the arbitrary function provides the opportunity for study of the behaviour of multiple isolated singularities and/or 'shape' functions in general relativity.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We argue that closed string tachyons drive two spacetime topology changing transitions - loss of genus in a Riemann surface and separation of a Riemann surface into two components. The tachyons of interest are localized versions of Scherk-Schwarz winding string tachyons arising on Riemann surfaces in regions of moduli space where string-scale tubes develop. Spacetime and world-sheet renormalization group analyses provide strong evidence that the decay of these tachyons removes a portion of the spacetime, splitting the tube into two pieces. We address the fate of the gauge fields and charges lost in the process, generalize it to situations with weak flux backgrounds, and use this process to study the type 0 tachyon, providing further evidence that its decay drives the theory sub-critical. Finally, we discuss the time-dependent dynamics of this topology-changing transition and find that it can occur more efficiently than ...

CERN Document Server

This thesis consists of three parts. In the first part we review the quantization of Yang-Mills theories and perturbative quantum gravity in curved spacetime. In the second part we calculate the Feynman propagators of the Faddeev-Popov ghosts for Yang-Mills theories and perturbative quantum gravity in the covariant gauge. In the third part we investigate the physical equivalence of covariant Wightman graviton two-point function with the physical graviton two-point function. The Feynman propagators of the Faddeev-Popov ghosts for Yang-Mills theories and perturbative quantum gravity in the covariant gauge are infrared (IR) divergent in de Sitter spacetime. We point out, that if we regularize these divergences by introducing a finite mass and take the zero mass limit at the end, then the modes responsible for these divergences will not contribute to loop diagrams in computations of time-ordered products in either Yang-Mills theories or ...

CERN Document Server

The full theory and the semiclassical description of loop quantum cosmology (LQC) have been studied in the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker and Bianchi I models. As an extension to include both anisotropy and intrinsic curvature, this paper investigates the cosmological model of Kantowski-Sachs spacetime with a free massless scalar field at the level of phenomenological dynamics with the LQC discreteness corrections. The LQC corrections are implemented in two different improved quantization schemes. In both schemes, the big bang and big crunch singularities of the classical solution are resolved and replaced by the big bounces when the area or volume scale factor approaches the critical values in the Planck regime measured by the reference of the scalar field momentum. Symmetries of scaling are also noted and suggest that the fundamental spatial scale (area gap) may give rise to a temporal scale. The bouncing scenarios are in an analogous fashion of the Bianchi I model, ...

CERN Document Server

Bargmann's superselection rule, which forbids the existence of superpositions of states with different mass and, therefore, implies the impossibility of describing unstable particles in non-relativistic quantum mechanics, arises as a consequence of demanding Galilean covariance of Schr\\"odinger's equation. However, the usual Galilean transformations inadequately describe the symmetries of non-relativistic quantum mechanics since they fail to take into account relativistic time contraction effects which can produce non-relativistic phases in the wavefunction. In this paper we describe the incompatibility between Bargmann's rule and Lorentz transformations in the low-velocities limit, we analyze its classical origin and we show that the Extended Galilei group characterizes better the symmetries of the theory. Furthermore, we claim that a proper description of non-relativistic quantum mechanics requires a modification of the notion of spacetime in the corresponding ...

CERN Document Server

We consider 4-dimensional space-times which are asymptotically flat at spatial infinity and show that, in the first order framework, action principle is well-defined \\emph{without the need of infinite counter terms.} It naturally leads to a covariant phase space in which the Hamiltonians generating asymptotic symmetries provide the total energy-momentum and angular momentum of the space-time. We address the subtle but important problems that arise because of logarithmic translations and super-translations both in the Langrangian and Hamiltonian frameworks. As a forthcoming paper will show, the treatment of higher dimensions is considerably simpler. Our first order framework also suggests a new direction for generalizing the spectral action of non-commutative geometry.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The general relativistic version is developed for Robertson's discussion of the Poynting-Robertson effect that he based on special relativity and Newtonian gravity for point radiation sources like stars. The general relativistic model uses a test radiation field of photons in outward radial motion with zero angular momentum in the equatorial plane of the exterior Schwarzschild or Kerr spacetime.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this Brief Report, we analyze a generalized theory of massless scalar QED{sub 2} and show that, unlike the conventional scalar QED{sub 2}, it is free from infrared divergence problems. The model is exactly soluble and may describe, in a (1+1)-dimensional space-time, noninteracting spin-one tachyons. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Klein-Gordan equation in the background of the Schwarzschild curved space-time is considered and the scattering of radial tardyons and tachyons from a black hole is studied. It is shown that black holes of mass below 7x10"1"4g may contain bound states of tardyons of pion mass which will be unstable on account of the presence of an attractive r"-"4 term. (author).

CERN Document Server

A n-time generalization of Newton's law (of universal gravitation) formula in N =n + d + 1-dimensional space-time is conjectured. This formula implies a relation for effective N-dimensional gravitational constant G_{eff} = G cos^2 \\theta, where \\theta is the angle between the direction of motion of two particles in n-dimensional time manifold R^n.

CERN Document Server

The Euler-Maxwell system describes the evolution of a plasma when the collisions are important enough that each species is in a hydrodynamic equilibrium. In this paper we prove global existence of small solutions to this system set in the whole three-dimensional space, by combining the space-time resonance method, dispersive estimates, localization estimates and energy estimates. An important novelty is that we can prove a very slow growth of high derivatives even with a nonintegrable decay by reiterating the energy estimate.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The answer to the title is ''NO''. The authors investigate the low energy particle spectra of type-II superstring theory after compactification to 4 dimensional space-time by means of the super Kac-Moody algebra as well as the twisted super Kac-Moody algebra. They show that there is no solution containing all of the particle contents in the standard model.

CERN Document Server

We continue our discussion of the general bosonic prototype of the new orbifold-string theories of permutation-type. Supplementing the extended physical-state conditions of the previous paper, we construct here the extended Virasoro generators with cycle central charge $\\hat{c}_j(\\sigma)=26f_j(\\sigma)$, where $f_j(\\sigma)$ is the length of cycle $j$ in twisted sector $\\sigma$. We also find an equivalent, reduced formulation of each physical-state problem at reduced cycle central charge $c_j(\\sigma)=26$. These tools are used to begin the study of the target space-time dimension $\\hat{D}_j(\\sigma)$ of cycle $j$ in sector $\\sigma$, which is naturally defined as the number of zero modes (momenta) of each cycle. The general model-dependent formulae derived here will be used extensively in succeeding papers, but are evaluated in this paper only for the simplest case of the "pure" permutation orbifolds.

CERN Document Server

We demonstrate that fitted values of stellar radius obtained by fitting theoretical light curves to observations of millisecond period X-ray pulsars can significantly depend on the method used to calculate the light curves. The worst-case errors in the fitted radius are evaluated by restricting ourselves to the case of light emitted and received in the equatorial plane of a rapidly-rotating neutron star. First, using an approximate flux which is adapted to the one-dimensional nature of such an emission region, we show how pulse shapes can be constructed using an exact spacetime metric and fully accounting for time-delay effects. We compare this to a method which approximates the exterior spacetime of the star by the Schwarzschild metric, inserts special relativistic effects by hand, and neglects time-delay effects. By comparing these methods, we show that there are significant differences in these methods for some applications, for example ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The quantum behavior of the vacuum Bianchi type-IX universe with the cosmological constant is investigated in terms of the Ashtekar variables. An exact solution to the quantum Hamiltonian constraint in the holomorphic representation is given. This solution reduces to the Hartle-Hawking wave function in the spatially isotropic sector and extends in the triad representation to the classically forbidden region where the determinant of the spatial metric becomes negative. The analysis of the quantum Robertson-Walker universe indicates that if the superspace is extended to such a classically forbidden region, the holomorphic representation picks up some restricted class of solutions in general. This observation leads to a new ansatz on the boundary condition of the Universe. In particular, the behavior of the Lorentzian and Euclidean WKB orbits corresponding to the solution suggests a new picture on the semiclassical behavior of the quantum Universe: that the Universe is created from an ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We consider closed string tachyons localized at the fixed points of noncompact nonsupersymmetric orbifolds. We argue that tachyon condensation drives these orbifolds to flat space or supersymmetric ALE spaces. The decay proceeds via an expanding shell of dilaton gradients and curvature which interpolates between two regions of distinct angular geometry. The string coupling remains weak throughout. For small tachyon VEVs, evidence comes from quiver theories on D-branes probes, in which deformations by twisted couplings smoothly connect non-supersymmetric orbifolds to supersymmetric orbifolds of reduced order. For large tachyon VEVs, evidence comes from worldsheet RG flow and spacetime gravity. For C{sup 2}/Z{sub n}, we exhibit infinite sequences of transitions producing SUSY ALE spaces via twisted closed string condensation from non-supersymmetric ALE spaces. In a T-dual description this provides a mechanism for creating NS5-branes via closed string tachyon ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We investigate the quantum cosmology of spatially homogeneous models with compact spatial sections admitting a u(2) isometry algebra. The metric ansatz in these models is that of Bianchi type IX with two scale factors set to be equal. We apply the Hartle-Hawking no-boundary path integral prescription and find the semi-classical contributions to the wave function. Exact formulae are obtainable for certain contributions and otherwise the limits of large and small anisotropy (for the pure vacuum case) and large spatial volume or small anisotropy (for the case with a positive cosmological constant) are considered. For the pure vacuum case we find no rapidly oscillating semiclassical components in the wave function, and hence do not recover lorentzian space-time as a prediction of the no-boundary proposal. For the case with a cosmological constant the wave function does contain rapidly oscillating components and thus predicts approximately lorentzian ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We compute the entropy of a closed bounded region of space for pure 3d Riemannian gravity formulated as a topological BF theory for the gauge group SU(2) and show its holographic behavior. More precisely, we consider a fixed graph embedded in space and study the flat connection spin network state without and with particle-like topological defects. We regularize and compute exactly the entanglement for a bipartite splitting of the graph and show it scales at leading order with the number of vertices on the boundary (or equivalently with the number of loops crossing the boundary). More generally these results apply to BF theory with any compact gauge group in any space-time dimension.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We study the static potential of open bosonic membranes in the 1/d approximation, where d is the space-time dimensionality. For a fixed square boundary of side length R we find, in contrast to the string potential, no critical distance below which tachyons appear. Instead, we find a correction factor to the classical potential, V/sub cl/=kR/sup 2/, which for small distances shifts the perturbative ground state energy by a positive constant. We interpret the shift as the mass gap of this quantum membrane.

Science.gov (United States)

We disclose the behavior of quantum and classical correlations among all the different spatial-temporal regions of a space-time with an event horizon, comparing fermionic with bosonic fields. We show the emergence of conservation laws for entanglement and classical correlations, pointing out the crucial role that statistics plays in the information exchange (and more specifically, the entanglement tradeoff) across horizons. The results obtained here could shed new light on the problem of information behavior in noninertial frames and in the presence of horizons, giving better insight into the black-hole information paradox.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The results of this study show that Monte Carlo simulations of diffusion in homogeneous turbulence can be formulated in terms of the Eulerian space-time velocity autocorrelation function. Numerical results obtained using this approach agree with results obtained by Taylor (1921) using the Lagrangian autocorrelation function. Use was made of the equivalence of the Lagrangian and Eulerian Monte Carlo approaches to derive analytic relations between the Lagrangian integral time scale and the Eulerian integral space and time scales. These analytic results were verified by comparison to Monte Carlo simulations and to other theoretical results. They are in general agreement with many existing theories and semi-empirical relations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A previously studied theory of gravitation in flat space-time is applied to homogeneous and isotropic cosmological models. There exist two different classes of models without singularities: (i) ever-expanding models, (ii) oscillating models. The first class contains models with hot big bang. For these models there exist at the beginning of the universe-in contrast to Einstein's theory-very high but finite densities of matter and radiation with a big bang of very short duration. After short time these models pass into the homogeneous and isotropic models of Einstein's theory with spatial curvature equal to zero and cosmological constant ALPHA >= O.

CERN Document Server

Some properties of the universe are fixed by physics derived from mathematical symmetries, others may have been selected from an ensemble of possibilities. Some successes and failures of anthropic reasoning in this context are reviewed in the light of recent developments in astrobiology, cosmology and unification physics. Specific issues raised include our spacetime location (including the reason for the present age of the universe), the timescale of biological evolution, the tuning of global cosmological parameters, the origin of the Large Numbers of astrophysics, and the parameters of the Standard Model. Out of the twenty parameters of the Standard Model,the basic behavior and structures of the world (nucleons, nuclei,atoms, molecules, planets, stars, galaxies) depend mainly on five of them: $m_e,m_u,m_d,\\alpha,\\alpha_G$, three of which are independent in the context of Grand Unified Theories (that is, not related by any known symmetry). These parameters also ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An experimentalist looking for free tachyons is faced with the following two related problems: A) How does a tachyon interact with bradyonic matter. Is it an object more or less localized in space-time. B) How should a (bradyonic) detector for tachyons look. To answer B) you should necessarily know something about A). But a theory which provides sufficient information doesn't exist at the moment. Therefore it is necessary to make some simple assumption to tackle problem B). In the second part of this contribution two possibilities of tachyon detectors are proposed assuming that a free charged tachyon (if it exists) exhibits normal electromagnetic interaction with bradyonic matter. Another possibility to look for tachyons produced in high energy reactions of bradyons is the missing mass method using the fact that the four-momentum of a collection of particles can be spacelike if at least one tachyon is present. Such experiments have been undertaken with negative ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Trametes hirsuta, a filamentous basidiomycete, was successfully cultivated in solid-state fermentation (SSF) on a mixture of pine wood chips and orange peel in a novel bioreactor that allows mixing of the inoculated solid material during the fermentation. Copper sulfate or xylidine (2,5-dimethylaniline) were added to enhance the production of enzymes, especially laccases. For comparison, Trametes hirsuta was also cultivated in submerged conditions. The effect of additives in SSF was low, whereas the choice of the solid material and the rotation of the reactor vessel showed a significant influence on the enzyme production. The space-time yields for the fermentations were calculated and showed that SSF on low-cost substrates can effectively produce extracellular enzymes at a suffici...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The author answers and briefly and comment upon a paper on tachyons by J.K. Kowalczynski. Suitable answers are already contained in the recent literature about extended relativity (ER), apparently unknown to that author. His answer is threefold. (1) About causality: No paradoxes can be sensible discussed without studying in detail the tachyon-exchange dynamics; but once one knows tachyon mechanics, the solution of the paradox is straightforward. As an example, he exploits and solves the Tolman-Regge paradox. (2) About superluminal frames and transformations: I agrees that (as I has noted elsewhere) in four dimensions such language is unfortunate; it was borrowed from two dimensions, where it is completely justified. Formulations in terms of a new language can be found in my recent papers on ER. (3) The statement that the pseudo-Euclidean space-time is a particular Riemannian manifold is wrong. It is pseudo-Riemannian, or Lorentzian. When dealing with tachyons the ...

CERN Document Server

This Chapter develops a realist information-theoretic interpretation of the nonclassical features of quantum probabilities. On this view, what is fundamental in the transition from classical to quantum physics is the recognition that \\emph{information in the physical sense has new structural features}, just as the transition from classical to relativistic physics rests on the recognition that space-time is structurally different than we thought. Hilbert space, the event space of quantum systems, is interpreted as a kinematic (i.e., pre-dynamic) framework for an indeterministic physics, in the sense that the geometric structure of Hilbert space imposes objective probabilistic or information-theoretic constraints on correlations between events, just as the geometric structure of Minkowski space in special relativity imposes spatio-temporal kinematic constraints on events. The interpretation of quantum probabilities is more subjectivist in spirit than other ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The non-perturbative validity of covariant BRST-quantization of gauge theories on compact Euclidean space-time manifolds is reviewed. BRST-quantization is related to the construction of a Topological Quantum Field Theory (TQFT) of Witten type on the gauge group. The criterion for the non-perturbative validity of the quantization is that the partition function of the corresponding TQFT does not vanish and that its (equi-variant) BRST-algebra is free of anomalies. I sketch the construction of a TQFT whose partition function is proportional to the generalized Euler-characteristic of the coset space S U (n){sub gauge} / SU(n){sub global} with an associated equi-variant BRST-algebra that manifestly preserves translational symmetry. Some non-perturbative consequences of this approach are discussed. (author)

CERN Document Server

We apply the method of coadjoint orbits of \\winf-algebra to the problem of non-relativistic fermions in one dimension. This leads to a geometric formulation of the quantum theory in terms of the quantum phase space distribution of the fermi fluid. The action has an infinite series expansion in the string coupling, which to leading order reduces to the previously discussed geometric action for the classical fermi fluid based on the group $w_\\infty$ of area-preserving diffeomorphisms. We briefly discuss the strong coupling limit of the string theory which, unlike the weak coupling regime, does not seem to admit of a two dimensional space-time picture. Our methods are equally applicable to interacting fermions in one dimension.

CERN Document Server

We propose a simple mechanism that may explain the observed particle-antiparticle asymmetry in the Universe. In the Einstein-Cartan-Sciama-Kibble theory of gravity, the intrinsic spin of matter generates spacetime torsion. Classical Dirac fields in the presence of torsion obey the nonlinear Hehl-Datta equation which is asymmetric under a charge-conjugation transformation. Accordingly, at extremely high densities that existed in the very early Universe, fermions have higher effective masses than antifermions. As a result, a meson composed of a light quark and a heavy antiquark has a lower effective mass than its antiparticle. Neutral-meson oscillations in thermal equilibrium therefore favor the production of light quarks and heavy antiquarks, which may be related to baryogenesis.

CERN Document Server

The so-called spectral dimension is a scale-dependent number associated with both geometries and field theories that has recently attracted much attention, driven largely though not exclusively by investigations of causal dynamical triangulations (CDT) and Horava gravity as possible candidates for quantum gravity. We advocate the use of the spectral dimension as a probe for the kinematics of these (and other) systems in the region where spacetime curvature is small, and the manifold is flat to a good approximation. In particular, we show how to assign a spectral dimension (as a function of so-called diffusion time) to any arbitrarily specified dispersion relation. We also analyze the fundamental properties of spectral dimension using extensions of the usual Seeley-DeWitt and Feynman expansions, and by saddle point techniques. The spectral dimension turns out to be a useful, robust and powerful probe, not only of geometry, but also of kinematics.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We study the dynamical evolution of a scalar field coupling to Einstein's tensor in the background of a Reissner-Nordstroem black hole. Our results show that the coupling constant #eta# imprints in the wave dynamics of a scalar perturbation. In the weak coupling, we find that with the increase of the coupling constant #eta# the real parts of the fundamental quasinormal frequencies decrease and the absolute values of imaginary parts increase for fixed charge q and multipole number l. In the strong coupling, we find that for l#not =#0 the instability occurs when #eta# is larger than a certain threshold value #eta#_c which deceases with the multipole number l and charge q. However, for the lowest l=0, we find that there does not exist such a threshold value and the scalar field always decays for arbitrary coupling constant.

CERN Document Server

In this paper we examine the relationship between covariance and unitarity for quantum gravity in Ashtekar variables. A usual description would discard half of the original Lorentz group, in exchange for the resulting simplifications of general relativity. We start by quantizing a trivial SL(2,C) gauge theory resulting in a nonunitary covariant theory. By the addition of a total time derivative we transform this into a unitary theory of the Ashtekar description of gravity with complete accountability of the degrees of freedom. We find that covariance on the spacetime level bears a direct relationship to covariance on the level ofthe quantum fields themselves. This procedure can in principle be applied to any totally constrained system, and bears a resemblance to the Gupta--Bleuler method. Finally, we make some observation regarding the loop representation of the SL(2,C) connection.

CERN Document Server

A fully consistent linear perturbation theory for cosmology is derived in the presence of quantum corrections as they are suggested by properties of inverse volume operators in loop quantum gravity. The underlying constraints present a consistent deformation of the classical system, which shows that the discreteness in loop quantum gravity can be implemented in effective equations without spoiling space-time covariance. Nevertheless, non-trivial quantum corrections do arise in the constraint algebra. Since correction terms must appear in tightly controlled forms to avoid anomalies, detailed insights for the correct implementation of constraint operators can be gained. The procedures of this article thus provide a clear link between fundamental quantum gravity and phenomenology.

CERN Document Server

We present results from a comprehensive number of relativistic, time-dependent, axisymmetric simulations of the runaway instability of non-constant angular momentum thick discs around black holes. This second paper extends earlier results where only constant angular momentum discs were considered. All relevant aspects of the theory of stationary thick discs around rotating black holes, necessary to build the initial state in our simulations, are presented in great detail. The angular momentum of the discs is assumed to increase outwards with the radial distance according to a power law. The main simplifying assumptions of our approach are not to include magnetic fields and self-gravity in the discs. Furthermore, the dynamics of the spacetime is accounted for by computing the transfer of mass and angular momentum from the disc to the black hole through the event horizon : the evolution of the central black hole is assumed to follow a sequence of Kerr black holes of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We study the spin dependence of accretion onto rotating Kerr black holes using analytic techniques. In its linear regime, angular momentum transport in MHD turbulent accretion flow involves the generation of radial magnetic field connecting plasma in a differentially rotating flow. We take a first principles approach, highlighting the constraint that limits the generation and amplification of radial magnetic fields, stemming from the transfer of energy from mechanical to magnetic form. Because the energy transferred in magnetic form is ultimately constrained by gravitational potential energy or Killing energy, the spin dependence of the latter allows us to derive spin-dependent constraints on the success of the accreting plasma to expel its angular momentum. We find an inverse relationship between this ability and black hole spin. If this radial magnetic field generation forms the basis for angular momentum transfer in accretion flows, accretion rates involving Kerr black holes are ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The canonical quantum theory of gravity-quantum geometrodynamics (QG)-is applied to the homogeneous Bianchi type IX cosmological model. As a result, a framework for the quantum theory of homogeneous cosmologies is developed. We show that the theory is internally consistent and prove that it possesses the correct classical limit (the theory of general relativity). To emphasize the special role that the constraints play in this new theory, we compare it to the traditional ADM square-root and Wheeler-DeWitt quantization schemes. We show that, unlike traditional approaches, QG leads to a well-defined Schroedinger equation for the wavefunction of the universe that is inherently coupled to the expectation value of the constraint equations. This coupling to the constraints is responsible for the appearance of a coherent spacetime picture. Thus, the physical meaning of the constraints of the theory is quite different from Dirac's interpretation. In light of this ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We discuss the prospects for bounding and perhaps even measuring quantum gravity effects on the dispersion of light using the highest-energy photons produced in gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) measured by the Fermi telescope. These prospects are brighter than might have been expected, as in the first ten months of operation, Fermi has so far reported eight events with photons over 100 MeV seen by its Large Area Telescope. We review features of these events which may bear on Planck-scale phenomenology, and we discuss the possible implications for alternative scenarios for in-vacua dispersion coming from breaking or deforming of Poincare invariance. Among these are semiconservative bounds (which rely on some relatively weak assumptions about the sources) on subluminal and superluminal in-vacuo dispersion. We also propose that it may be possible to look for the arrival of still higher-energy photons and neutrinos from GRBs with energies in the range 1014-1017 eV. In some cases the quantum gravity ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wonderful opportunities await particle physics over the next decade, with the coming of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN to explore the 1-TeV scale (extending efforts at LEP and the Tevatron to unravel the nature of electroweak symmetry breaking) and many initiatives to develop our understanding of the problem of identity: what makes a neutrino a neutrino and a top quark a top quark. Here I have in mind the work of the B factories and the Tevatron collider on CP violation and the weak interactions of the b quark; the wonderfully sensitive experiments at Brookhaven, CERN, Fermilab, and Frascati on CP violation and rare decays of kaons; the prospect of definitive accelerator experiments on neutrino oscillations and the nature of the neutrinos; and a host of new experiments on the sensitivity frontier. We might even learn to read experiment for clues about the dimensionality of spacetime. If we are inventive enough, we may be able to follow this rich menu with the ...

CERN Document Server

Radio, optical and X-rays telescopes are improving our knowledge of deep space. All these telescopes detect electromagnetic radiation at various frequencies. But a different kind of radiation is generated in the deeper space; it is the gravitational one. Gravitational waves change the space-time metric. As a consequence, GW telescopes should detect an extremely small strain (h < 10/sup -21/) of the geometry of a reference frame; if the frame has a reference dimension (L) of some kilometers, the deformation amplitude ( Delta L = h * L) is limited to 10/sup -16/ meters. Laser interferometers are the most suitable devices to make precise measurements of distances. Their resolution is limited by the laser wavelength ( lambda = 10/sup -6/ meters) and by the light wave-shift detection capability ( Delta Phi = 1 ppb). These theoretical limits are strongly degraded by different noise sources, which reduce the actual resolution by several orders of magnitude. Applied ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We find instanton/cosmological solutions with biaxial Bianchi-IX symmetry, involving nontrivial spatial dependence of the CP{sup 1}-CP{sup 2}-sigma-models coupled to gravity. Such manifolds arise in N = 1, d 4 supergravity with supermatter actions and hence the solutions can be embedded in supergravity. There is a natural way in which the standard coordinates of these manifolds can be mapped into the four-dimensional physical space. Due to its special symmetry, we start with CP{sup 2} with its corresponding scalar ansatz; this further requires the spacetime to be SU(2) x U(1)-invariant. The problem then reduces to a set of ordinary differential equations whose analytical properties and solutions are discussed. Among the solutions there is a surprising, special family of exact solutions which owe their existence to the nontrivial topology of CP{sup 2} and are in 1-1 correspondence with matter-free Bianchi-IX metrics. These solutions can also be found by coupling ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The choice of vacuum state for a quantum scalar field propagating in a de Sitter spacetime (massive and arbitrarily coupled to the gravitational field) is discussed. The problem of finite-time initial conditions for the mode functions is analyzed, as well as how these determine the vacuum state of the quantum system. The principle guiding the choice of vacuum state is the following: one wants the vacuum contribution to the energy-momentum tensor to contain all the ultraviolet divergent terms, so that the particle creation terms are finite, and covariantly conserved. There is a suitable set of modes (instantaneous adiabatic basis) in which this splitting of the expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor can be carried out. Numerical results are presented for different finite-time initial conditions (m = 0.6, {zeta} = 1/6). The nature of the particle creation effect is described and its relationship to the concept of a horizon crossing time is shown. These ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The most important factor in assessing radiologic risk is ensuring scientific means for evaluation of the radioactive release impact upon humans and organisms. To evaluate quantitatively this impact not only knowledge of radioactivity distribution in these dynamical systems is necessary but also understanding the transfer mechanisms between ecosystem components is needed. Thus a complete radioecologic study appear to be very complex and needs defining the source term, dynamic description of radionuclides behavior in the ecosystem, estimation of radiation doses in the major components of the ecosystem and finally the effects of radiation doses upon different parts of the systems. A diagram of the steps implied in evaluation of the effects due to radioactive effluent release in the environment is presented and discussed. The following steps are described: - identification of radioactive sources, as well as their input rate. Presence of noxious materials such as heavy metals or some ...

Science.gov (United States)

A general relativistic model for the formation and acceleration of lowmass-loaded jets from systems containing accreting black holes is presented. The model is based on previous numerical results and theoretical studies in the Newtonian regime, but modified to include the effects of space-time curvature in the vicinity of the event horizon of a spinning black hole. It is argued that the boundary layer between the Keplerian accretion disk and the event horizon is best suited for the formation and acceleration of the accretion-powered jets in active galactic nuclei and micro-quasars. The model presented here is based on matching the solutions of three different regions: i- a weakly magnetized Keplerian accretion disk in the outer part, where the transport of angular momentum is mediated through the magentorotational instability, ii- a strongly magnetized, advection-dominated and turbulent-free boundary layer (BL) between the outer cold accretion disk and the event ...