Classical General Relativity Research Articles

Classical gravity from loop amplitudes

We describe an efficient method for extracting the parts of $D$-dimensional loop integrals that are needed to derive observables in classical general relativity from scattering amplitudes. Our approach simplifies the soft-region method of integration by judiciously combining terms before the final integrations. We demonstrate the method by computing the required integrals for black-hole scattering to the second Post-Minkowskian order in Einstein gravity coupled to scalars. We also confirm recent results at the third Post-Minkowskian order regarding universality and high-energy behavior of gravitational interactions in maximal supergravity.

Criticality in the collapse of spherically symmetric massless scalar fields in semiclassical loop quantum gravity

In a recent paper we showed that the collapse to a black hole in one-parameter families of initial data for massless, minimally coupled scalar fields in spherically symmetric semi-classical loop quantum gravity exhibited a universal mass scaling similar to the one in classical general relativity. In particular, no evidence of a mass gap appeared as had been suggested by previous studies. The lack of a mass gap indicated the possible existence of a self-similar critical solution as in general relativity. Here we provide further evidence for its existence. Using an adaptive mesh refinement code, we show that "echoes" arise as a result of the discrete self-similarity in space-time. We also show the existence of "wiggles" in the mass scaling relation, as in the classical theory. The results from the semi-classical theory agree well with those of classical general relativity unless one takes unrealistically large values for the polymerization parameter.

Self-collision of a portal wormhole

We consider the self-collision of portals in classical general relativity. Portals are wormholes supported by a single loop of negative mass cosmic string, and being wormholes, portals have a nontrivial topology. Portals can be constructed so that the curvature is zero everywhere outside the cosmic string, with vanishing ADM mass. The conical singularities of these wormholes can be smoothed, yielding a spatial topology of $S^2 \times S^1$ with a point corresponding to spatial infinity removed. If one attempts to collide the mouths of a smoothed portal to induce self-annihilation, one naively might think that a Euclidean topology is recovered, which would violate the classical no topology change theorems. We consider a particular limit of smoothed portals supported by an anisotropic fluid, and find that while the portal mouths do not experience an acceleration as they are brought close together, a curvature singularity forms in the limit that the separation distance vanishes. We find that in general relativity, the interaction between portal mouths is not primarily gravitational in nature, but depends critically on matter interactions.

A new class of viable and exact solutions of EFEs with Karmarkar conditions: an application to cold star modeling

In this work we present a theoretical framework within Einstein’s classical general relativity which models stellar compact objects such as PSR J1614–2230 and SAX J1808.4–3658. The Einstein field equations are solved by assuming that the interior of the compact object is described by a class I spacetime. The so-called Karmarkar condition arising from this requirement is integrated to reduce the gravitational behaviour to a single generating function. By appealing to physics we adopt a form for the gravitational potential which is sufficiently robust to accurately describe compact objects. Our model satisfies all the requirements for physically realistic stellar structures.

Bremsstrahlung of Light through Spontaneous Emission of Gravitational Waves

Zero-point fluctuations are a universal consequence of quantum theory. Vacuum fluctuations of electromagnetic field have provided crucial evidence and guidance for QED as a successful quantum field theory with a defining gauge symmetry through the Lamb shift, Casimir effect, and spontaneous emission. In an accelerated frame, the thermalisation of the zero-point electromagnetic field gives rise to the Unruh effect linked to the Hawking effect of a black hole via the equivalence principle. This principle is the basis of general covariance, the symmetry of general relativity as the classical theory of gravity. If quantum gravity exists, the quantum vacuum fluctuations of the gravitational field should also lead to the quantum decoherence and dissertation of general forms of energy and matter. Here we present a novel theoretical effect involving the spontaneous emission of soft gravitons by photons as they bend around a heavy mass and discuss its observational prospects. Our analytic and numerical investigations suggest that the gravitational bending of starlight predicted by classical general relativity should also be accompanied by the emission of gravitational waves. This in turn redshifts the light causing a loss of its energy somewhat analogous to the bremsstrahlung of electrons by a heavier charged particle. It is suggested that this new effect may be important for a combined astronomical source of intense gravity and high-frequency radiation such as X-ray binaries and that the proposed LISA mission may be potentially sensitive to the resulting sub-Hz stochastic gravitational waves.

Fractional-order derivatives in cosmological models of accelerated expansion

In this brief review, we present the results of the fractional differential approach in cosmology in the context of the exact models of cosmological accelerated expansion obtained by several authors to date. Most of these studies are devoted to the problem of introducing fractional derivatives or fractional integrals into the classical General Relativity (GR). There are several observational and theoretical motivations to investigate the modified or alternative theories of GR. Among other things, we cover General Relativity modified by a phenomenological approach dealing with fractional calculus. At the same time, a sufficiently large number of exact solutions of the cosmological equations modified by this approach were obtained. Some of these models may be especially relevant in the light of solving the problem of late accelerated expansion of the Universe. These studies are largely motivated by rapid progress in the field of observational cosmology that now allows, for the first time, precision tests of fundamental physics on the scale of the observable Universe. The purpose of this review is to provide a reference tool for researchers and students in cosmology and gravitational physics, as well as a self-contained, comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the subject as a whole.

Derivation of Einstein–Cartan theory from general relativity

This paper derives the elements of classical Einstein–Cartan theory (EC) from classical general relativity (GR) in two ways. (I) Derive discrete versions of torsion (translational holonomy) and the spin-torsion field equation of EC from one Kerr solution in GR. (II) Derive the field equations of EC as the continuum limit of a distribution of many Kerr masses in classical GR. The convergence computations employ “epsilon-delta” arguments, and are not as rigorous as convergence in Sobolev norm. Inequality constraints needed for convergence restrict the limits from continuing to an infinitesimal length scale. EC enables modeling exchange of intrinsic and orbital angular momentum, which GR cannot do. Derivation of EC from GR strengthens the case for EC and for new physics derived from EC.

Scattering of gravitons and spinning massive states from compact numerators

We provide a new efficient diagrammatic tool, in the context of the scattering equations, for computation of covariant D-dimensional tree-level n-point amplitudes with pairs of spinning massive particles using compact exponential numerators. We discuss how this framework allows non-integer spin extensions of recurrence relations for amplitudes developed for integer spin. Our results facilitate the on-going program for generating observables in classical general relativity from on-shell tree amplitudes through the Kawai-Lewellen-Tye relations and generalized unitarity.

Towards Black-Hole Singularity-Resolution in the Lorentzian Gravitational Path Integral

Quantum gravity is expected to resolve the singularities of classical general relativity. Based on destructive interference of singular spacetime-configurations in the path integral, we find that higher-order curvature terms may allow to resolve black-hole singularities both in the spherically symmetric and axisymmetric case. In contrast, the Einstein action does not provide a dynamical mechanism for singularity-resolution through destructive interference of these configurations.

Aspects of Semiclassical Black Holes: Development and Open Problems

The current work is a review, dedicated to the study of semiclassical aspects of black holes. We begin by briefly looking at the main statements of general relativity. We then consider the Schwarzschild, Kerr, and Reissner-Nordstrom black hole solutions and discuss their geometrical properties. Later, the thermodynamic nature of black holes is established. In light of this, we formulate the information loss problem and present the most promising approaches for addressing it with emphasis on introducing low-energy quantum corrections to the classical general relativity picture. Finally, in the context of multimessenger astronomy, we look at naked singularities as possible gravitational collapse endstates and their role in the unitarity of quantum mechanics and discuss their observational prospects.

Quantum gravity, minimum length and holography

The Karolyhazy uncertainty relation states that if a device is used to measure a length l, there will be a minimum uncertainty \(\delta l\) in the measurement, given by \((\delta l)^3 \sim L_{\mathrm {P}}^2 l\). This is a consequence of combining the principles of quantum mechanics and general relativity. In this letter we show how this relation arises in our approach to quantum gravity, in a bottom-up fashion, from the matrix dynamics of atoms of space–time–matter. We use this relation to define a space–time–matter (STM) foam at the Planck scale, and to argue that our theory is holographic. By coarse graining over time-scales larger than Planck time, one obtains the laws of quantum gravity. Quantum gravity is not a Planck scale phenomenon; rather it comes into play whenever classical space–time background is not available to describe a quantum system. Space–time and classical general relativity arise from spontaneous localisation in a highly entangled quantum gravitational system. The Karolyhazy relation continues to hold in the emergent theory. An experimental confirmation of this relation will constitute a definitive test of the quantum nature of gravity.

New rotating AdS/dS black holes in f(R) gravity

It is known that general relativity (GR) theory is not consistent with the latest observations. The modified gravity of GR known as f(R) where R is the Ricci scalar, is considered to be a good candidate for dealing with the anomalies present in classical GR. In this context, we study static rotating uncharged anti-de Sitter and de Sitter (AdS and dS) black holes (BHs) using f(R) theory without assuming any constraints on the Ricci scalar or on f(R). We derive BH solutions depend on the convolution function and deviate from the AdS/dS Schwarzschild BH solution of GR. Although the field equations have no dependence on the cosmological constant, the BHs are characterized by an effective cosmological constant that depends on the convolution function. The asymptotic form of this BH solution depends on the gravitational mass of the system and on extra terms that lead to BHs being different from GR BHs but to correspond to GR BHs under certain conditions. We also investigate how these extra terms are responsible for making the singularities of the invariants milder than those of the GR BHs. We study some physical properties of the BHs from the point of view of thermodynamics and show that there is an outer event horizon in addition to the inner Cauchy horizons. Among other things we show that our BH solutions satisfy the first law of thermodynamics. To check the stability of these BHs we use the geodesic deviations and derive the stability conditions. Finally, using the odd-type mode it is shown that all the derived BHs are stable and have a radial speed equal to one.

Some applications of special trans function theory in physics

The Karolyhazy uncertainty relation is the statement that if a device is used to measure a length $l$, there will be a minimum uncertainty $\delta l$ in the measurement, given by $(\delta l)^3 \sim L_P^2\; l$. This is a consequence of combining the principles of quantum mechanics and general relativity. In this note we show how this relation arises in our approach to quantum gravity, in a bottom-up fashion, from the matrix dynamics of atoms of space-time-matter. We use this relation to define a space-time-matter foam at the Planck scale, and to argue that our theory is holographic. By coarse graining over time scales larger than Planck time, one obtains the laws of quantum gravity. Quantum gravity is not a Planck scale phenomenon; rather it comes into play whenever no classical space-time background is available to describe a quantum system. Space-time and classical general relativity arise from spontaneous localisation in a highly entangled quantum gravitational system. The Karolyhazy relation continues to hold in the emergent theory. An experimental confirmation of this relation will constitute a definitive test of the quantum nature of gravity.

The Principle of Covariance and the Hamiltonian Formulation of General Relativity.

The implications of the general covariance principle for the establishment of a Hamiltonian variational formulation of classical General Relativity are addressed. The analysis is performed in the framework of the Einstein-Hilbert variational theory. Preliminarily, customary Lagrangian variational principles are reviewed, pointing out the existence of a novel variational formulation in which the class of variations remains unconstrained. As a second step, the conditions of validity of the non-manifestly covariant ADM variational theory are questioned. The main result concerns the proof of its intrinsic non-Hamiltonian character and the failure of this approach in providing a symplectic structure of space-time. In contrast, it is demonstrated that a solution reconciling the physical requirements of covariance and manifest covariance of variational theory with the existence of a classical Hamiltonian structure for the gravitational field can be reached in the framework of synchronous variational principles. Both path-integral and volume-integral realizations of the Hamilton variational principle are explicitly determined and the corresponding physical interpretations are pointed out.

The cosmological constant as a zero action boundary

ABSTRACT The cosmological constant Λ is usually interpreted as Dark Energy (DE) or modified gravity (MG). Here, we propose instead that Λ corresponds to a boundary term in the action of classical General Relativity. The action is zero for a perfect fluid solution and this fixes Λ to the average density ρ and pressure p inside a primordial causal boundary: Λ = 4πG <ρ+3p >. This explains both why the observed value of Λ is related to the matter density today and also why other contributions to Λ, such as DE or MG, do not produce cosmic expansion. Cosmic acceleration results from the repulsive boundary force that occurs when the expansion reaches the causal horizon. This universe is similar to the ΛCDM universe, except on the largest observable scales, where we expect departures from homogeneity/isotropy, such as CMB anomalies and variations in cosmological parameters indicated by recent observations.

Gravitational Dynamics—A Novel Shift in the Hamiltonian Paradigm

It is well known that Einstein’s equations assume a simple polynomial form in the Hamiltonian framework based on a Yang-Mills phase space. We re-examine the gravitational dynamics in this framework and show that time evolution of the gravitational field can be re-expressed as (a gauge covariant generalization of) the Lie derivative along a novel shift vector field in spatial directions. Thus, the canonical transformation generated by the Hamiltonian constraint acquires a geometrical interpretation on the Yang-Mills phase space, similar to that generated by the diffeomorphism constraint. In classical general relativity this geometrical interpretation significantly simplifies calculations and also illuminates the relation between dynamics in the ‘integrable’ (anti)self-dual sector and in the full theory. For quantum gravity, it provides a point of departure to complete the Dirac quantization program for general relativity in a more satisfactory fashion. This gauge theory perspective may also be helpful in extending the ‘double copy’ ideas relating the Einstein and Yang-Mills dynamics to a non-perturbative regime. Finally, the notion of generalized, gauge covariant Lie derivative may also be of interest to the mathematical physics community as it hints at some potentially rich structures that have not been explored.

Consequences of minimal length discretization on line element, metric tensor, and geodesic equation

When minimal length uncertainty emerging from a generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) is thoughtfully implemented, it is of great interest to consider its impacts on gravitational Einstein field equations (gEFEs) and to try to assess consequential modifications in metric manifesting properties of quantum geometry due to quantum gravity. GUP takes into account the gravitational impacts on the noncommutation relations of length (distance) and momentum operators or time and energy operators and so on. On the other hand, gEFE relates classical geometry or general relativity gravity to the energy–momentum tensors, that is, proposing quantum equations of state. Despite the technical difficulties, we intend to insert GUP into the metric tensor so that the line element and the geodesic equation in flat and curved space are accordingly modified. The latter apparently encompasses acceleration, jerk, and snap (jounce) of a particle in the quasi‐quantized gravitational field. Finite higher orders of acceleration apparently manifest phenomena such as accelerating expansion and transitions between different radii of curvature and so on.

Large-scale Fluctuations of Dark Energy and the Inhomogeneous Anisotropic Expansion of the Universe

The observable effects of large-scale (non-quantum) fluctuations of dark energy (DE) are discussed within the framework of classical general relativity. The paper is focused on different local rates of the cosmological expansion (the phenomenon known as the Hubble constant tension) and the contribution of DE fluctuations to the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation; other potentially observable effects of DE fluctuations are also indicated, e.g., a criterion for the existence of a structure larger than the observable universe.

Symplectic structure for general relativity and Einstein–Brillouin–Keller quantization

The Hamiltonian system of general relativity and its quantization without any matter or gauge fields are discussed on the basis of the symplectic geometrical theory. A symplectic geometry of classical general relativity is constructed using a generalized phase space for pure gravity. Prequantization of the symplectic manifold is performed according to the standard procedure of geometrical quantization. Quantum vacuum solutions are chosen from among the classical solutions under the Einstein–Brillouin–Keller quantization condition. A topological correction of quantum solutions, namely the Maslov index, is realized using a prequantization bundle. In addition, a possible mass spectrum of Schwarzschild black holes is discussed.

Octonions, trace dynamics and noncommutative geometry—A case for unification in spontaneous quantum gravity

Abstract We have recently proposed a new matrix dynamics at the Planck scale, building on the theory of trace dynamics and Connes noncommutative geometry program. This is a Lagrangian dynamics in which the matrix degrees of freedom are made from Grassmann numbers, and the Lagrangian is trace of a matrix polynomial. Matrices made from even grade elements of the Grassmann algebra are called bosonic, and those made from odd grade elements are called fermionic—together they describe an ‘aikyon’. The Lagrangian of the theory is invariant under global unitary transformations and describes gravity and Yang–Mills fields coupled to fermions. In the present article, we provide a basic definition of spin angular momentum in this matrix dynamics and introduce a bosonic(fermionic) configuration variable conjugate to the spin of a boson(fermion). We then show that at energies below Planck scale, where the matrix dynamics reduces to quantum theory, fermions have half-integer spin (in multiples of Planck’s constant), and bosons have integral spin. We also show that this definition of spin agrees with the conventional understanding of spin in relativistic quantum mechanics. Consequently, we obtain an elementary proof for the spin-statistics connection. We then motivate why an octonionic space is the natural space in which an aikyon evolves. The group of automorphisms in this space is the exceptional Lie group G 2 which has 14 generators [could they stand for the 12 vector bosons and two degrees of freedom of the graviton?]. The aikyon also resembles a closed string, and it has been suggested in the literature that 10-D string theory can be represented as a 2-D string in the 8-D octonionic space. From the work of Cohl Furey and others it is known that the Dixon algebra made from the four division algebras [real numbers, complex numbers, quaternions and octonions] can possibly describe the symmetries of the standard model. In the present paper we outline how in our work the Dixon algebra arises naturally and could lead to a unification of gravity with the standard model. From this matrix dynamics, local quantum field theory arises as a low energy limit of this Planck scale dynamics of aikyons, and classical general relativity arises as a consequence of spontaneous localisation of a large number of entangled aikyons. We propose that classical curved space–time and Yang–Mills fields arise from an effective gauging which results from the collection of symmetry groups of the spontaneously localised fermions. Our work suggests that we live in an eight-dimensional octonionic universe, four of these dimensions constitute space–time and the other four constitute the octonionic internal directions on which the standard model forces live.