Hamiltonian Constraint Research Articles

Glauber-Sudarshan states, wave functional of the Universe and the Wheeler-De Witt equation

One of the pertinent question in the analysis of de Sitter as an excited state is what happens to the Glauber-Sudarshan states that are off-shell, i.e. the states that do not satisfy the Schwinger-Dyson equations. We argue that these Glauber-Sudarshan states, including the on-shell ones, are controlled by a bigger envelope wave functional namely a wave functional of the universe which surprisingly satisfies a Wheeler-De Witt equation. We provide various justification of the aforementioned identification including the determination of the emergent Hamiltonian constraint appearing in the Wheeler-De Witt equation that is satisfied by both the on- and off-shell states. Our analysis provides further evidence of why a transient four-dimensional de Sitter phase in string theory should be viewed as an excited state over a supersymmetric warped Minkowski background and not as a vacuum state.

Towards quantum gravity with neural networks: solving the quantum Hamilton constraint of U(1) BF theory

Abstract In the canonical approach of loop quantum gravity, arguably the most important outstanding problem is finding and interpreting solutions to the Hamiltonian constraint. In this work, we demonstrate that methods of machine learning are in principle applicable to this problem. We consider U(1) BF theory in three dimensions, quantised with loop quantum gravity methods. In particular, we formulate a master constraint corresponding to Hamilton and Gauß constraints using loop quantum gravity methods. To make the problem amenable for numerical simulation we fix a graph and introduce a cutoff on the kinematical degrees of freedom, effectively considering U q ( 1 ) BF theory at a root of unity. We show that the neural network quantum state ansatz can be used to numerically solve the constraints efficiently and accurately. We compute expectation values and fluctuations of certain observables and compare them with exact results or exact numerical methods where possible. We also study the dependence on the cutoff.

Towards quantum gravity with neural networks: solving quantum Hamilton constraints of 3d Euclidean gravity in the weak coupling limit

Abstract The aim of the present work is to demonstrate the applicability of machine learning techniques and in particular neural network quantum states in the context of loop quantum gravity, albeit for a simplified theory. We consider 3-dimensional Euclidean gravity in a gauge theoretical formulation in a certain weak coupling limit due to Smolin, and show that the gauge group becomes Abelian, resulting in U(1)3 BF- theory. The theory is quantised using loop quantum gravity methods. The kinematical degrees of freedom are truncated, on account of computational feasibility, by fixing a graph and deforming the algebra of the holonomies to impose a cutoff on the charge vectors. This leads to a quantum theory related to Uq(1)3 BF-theory. The effect of imposing the cutoff on the charges is examined. We also implement the quantum volume operator of 3d loop quantum gravity. Most importantly we compare two constraints for the quantum model obtained: a master constraint enforcing curvature and Gauß constraint, as well as a combination of a quantum Hamilton constraint constructed using Thiemann’s strategy and the Gauβ master constraint. The two constraints are solved using the neural network quantum state ansatz, demonstrating its ability to explore models which are out of reach for exact numerical methods. The solutions spaces are quantitatively compared and although the forms of the constraints are radically different, the solutions turn out to have a surprisingly large overlap. We also investigate the behavior of the quantum volume in solutions to the constraints.

Light rings and shadows of static black holes in effective quantum gravity

Recently, two types of static black hole models that retain general covariance have been proposed within the Hamiltonian constraint approach to effective quantum gravity (EQG). We have studied the light rings and shadows of these black holes using the topological method and the backward ray-tracing method, respectively. We demonstrate that these light rings in both types of static black holes are standard and unstable according to the classification of light rings. Subsequently, we checked the position of the light rings using the photon trajectory equation. We found that although the quantum parameters do not affect the light rings of these two types of black holes, they do reduce the size of the first type of static black hole in EQG, making it smaller. However, for the second type of static black hole in EQG, we cannot distinguish it from a Schwarzschild black hole based on the shadow alone. Fortunately, the quantum parameters shrink the lensing rings of both types of black holes in EQG, causing the black hole shadow to occupy a larger proportion within the ring. This can serve as a basis for distinguishing whether the black hole is in EQG or general relativity (GR).

Identification of Hamiltonian systems using neural networks and first integrals approaches

This research introduces a class of non-parametric identifiers based on differential neural networks represented by Hamiltonian dynamics. The structure of the identifier corresponds to the form of a canonical Hamiltonian system that uses the evolution of generalized coordinates and momentums. The learning laws of the identifier come from applying the first integrals approach, which justifies the design of an exact identifier considering the time invariance of the Hamiltonian, with a finite number of activation functions in the identifier structure. The first integrals approach derives several learning laws for the proposed class of identifiers. The learning laws design uses the estimated derivative of the generalized momentum assessed via a super-twisting differentiator with multiple inputs and outputs. All proposed laws require the solution of differential continuous-time Riccati equations and nonlinear differential equations for the learning laws, which depend on the identification error and state constraints. The developed identifier was evaluated compared to an identifier that did not consider the Hamiltonian constraint using first integrals. This comparison included a numerical evaluation of the identifier considering its application to a classical Hamiltonian system associated with the Kepler dynamics representing satellite orbital evolution. This evaluation confirmed that the identification results were improved with the proposed learning laws regarding the class of Hamiltonian structures, and the quality indicators based on the mean square error were several times lower.

Mach's principle and dark matter

In this paper we entertain a Machian setting where local physics is non-locally affected by the whole Universe, taking the liberty to identify the local (“Newton's bucket”) with our visible Universe, and the whole Universe (Mach's “fixed stars”) with the global Universe beyond our horizon. Crucially, we allow for the two to have different properties, so that we are beyond the traditional FRW setting. For definiteness we focus on theories where non-locality arises from evolution in the laws of physics in terms of spatially global time variables dual to the constants of Nature. Since non-local theories are foliation-dependent, the local (but not the global) Hamiltonian constraint is lost. This is true not only while non-locality is taking place, but also after it ceases: the local Hamiltonian constraint is only recovered up to a constant in time, keeping a memory of the integrated past non-locality. We show that this integration constant is equivalent to preserving the local Hamiltonian constraint and adding an extra fluid with the same cosmological properties as conventional pressureless dark matter. The equivalence breaks down in terms of clustering properties, with the new component attracting other matter, but not budging from its location. This is the ultimate “painted-on” dark matter, attracting but not being attracted, and nailing down a preferred frame.

Inflation and dark matter from the low entropy hypothesis and modeling mechanism of modified gravity

Abstract The hypothesis of low entropy in the initial state of the Universe usually explains the observed entropy increase is in only one time direction: the thermodynamic arrow of time. The Hamiltonian formalism is commonly used in the context of general relativity. The set of Lagrange multipliers are introduced in the formalism, and they are corresponding to the Hamiltonian constraints which are written in terms of ‘weak equality’—the equality is satisfied if the constraints hold. Follow the low-entropy hypothesis, we postulate a modeling mechanism—a weak equality (of modeling) that holds only on the subspace of the theory space of physical models defined by some modeling constraints. By applying the modeling mechanism, we obtain a specific model of modified gravity under specific modeling conditions. We derive a novel equation of modeling from the mechanism, that describes how different gravitational models emerge. The solution of the modeling equation naturally turns out to be the model of R 2-gravity (with additional terms) if ordinary matter is negligible. We also found that this mechanism leads to two models: large-field inflation and wave-like dark matter (DM). Interestingly, the wave-like DM model is supported by the most recent observations of Einstein rings.

Euclidean quantum wormholes

We study wormhole as the solution of the Wheeler–DeWitt (WdW) equation satisfying Hawking–Page wormhole boundary conditions in Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) cosmology. The quantum wormholes are formulated with arbitrary factor ordering of the Hamiltonian constraint operators with perfect fluid matter sources as well as minimally coupled scalar fields.

Constraint structure of the generalized Proca model in the Lagrangian formalism

We introduce a novel Lagrangian approach to analyze the dynamical structure of the generalized Proca theory (GP). This method incorporates the A-Z constraint structure of the model within the Lagrangian formalism, providing a precise determination of the degrees of freedom. Furthermore, we present a comprehensive analysis of the model's Hamiltonian constraint structure.

Canonical analysis of gravity with dynamical determinant of metric-general case

We analyse general form of theory with the dynamical determinant of metric. We show that due to the presence of general function of determinant that multiplies scalar curvature the Hamiltonian constraint is second class constraint that makes consistency of this theory questionable.

Semiclassical resolution of the black hole singularity inspired in the minimal uncertainty approach

We propose a new lapse function that simplifies the Hamiltonian constraint, describing the interior of the black hole in terms of the Ashtekar-Barbero variables, into a more straightforward form. The new Hamiltonian leads to different equations of motion than those found in the literature, but through a suitable transformation between temporal parameters, it is found that such a choice leads us to the classical solutions of the Schwarzschild metric, still preserving the physical singularity. In order to resolve this singularity, and inspired by the minimal uncertainty approach, we modify the classical algebra between the dynamic variables of the model, imposing an effective dynamics within the black hole. As a consequence, one of the dynamic variables, denoted by pb, acquires a minimum value at the singularity t=0, and on the other hand, the variable related to the radius of the 2-sphere, pc, leads to the resolution of the classical singularity of the black hole by replacing it with a bounce that connects the interior of the black hole with the interior of the white hole. This bounce occurs in the Planck-scale region, where a new event horizon manifests. Upon crossing this horizon, the nature of the interval changes from spatial to temporal outside the white hole.

A realist interpretation of unitarity in quantum gravity

Unitarity is a difficult concept to implement in canonical quantum gravity because of state non-normalisability and the problem of time. We take a realist approach based on pilot-wave theory to address this issue in the Ashtekar formulation of the Wheeler–DeWitt equation. We use the postulate of a definite configuration in the theory to define a global time for the gravitational-fermionic system recently discussed in Alexander et al (2022 Phys. Rev. D 106 106012), by parameterising a variation of a Weyl-spinor that depends on the Kodama state. The total Hamiltonian constraint yields a time-dependent Schrodinger equation, without semi-classical approximations, which we use to derive a local continuity equation over the configuration space. We implement the reality conditions at the level of the guidance equation, and obtain a real spin-connection, extrinsic curvature and triad along the system trajectory. We obtain quantum corrections to deSitter spacetime from the guidance equation. The non-normalisable Kodama state is naturally factored out of the full quantum state in the conserved current density, opening the possibility for quantum-mechanical unitarity. We also give a pilot-wave generalisation of the notion of unitarity applicable to non-normalisable states, and show the existence of equilibrium density for our system. Lastly, we find unitary states in mini-superspace by finding an approximate solution to the Hamiltonian constraint.

On the absence of ghosts in quadratic bigravity

An extension of the bimetric theory of gravity is considered that includes quadratic Ricci curvature terms associated with each metric. The issue of the Boulware-Deser ghost is analyzed. The Hamiltonian constraint is derived and the existence of a secondary constraint is shown, proving that the theory is ghost-free.

Black holes and foliation-dependent physics

In theories where physics depends on a global foliation of space-time, a black hole’s horizon is surrounded by an “eternity skin”: a pile-up of spacelike leaves that in the far-out region cover all times from the start of collapse to future eternity. Any future foliation-dependent change in the laws of physics would be enacted in this region and affect the last stages of collapse toward black hole formation. We show how in some cases the black hole never forms but, rather, bounces into an explosive event. There is also a nonlocal transfer of energy between the asymptotic Universe and the formed black hole precursor, so that the back hole (if formed) or the exploding star (otherwise) will have a different mass from what was initially thrown in. These last matters are generic to nonlocal theories and can be traced to the breakdown of the local Hamiltonian constraint. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Diffeomorphism Covariance and the Quantum Schwarzschild Interior

We introduce a notion of residual diffeomorphism covariance in quantum Kantowski–Sachs (KS) describing the interior of a Schwarzschild black hole. We solve for the family of Hamiltonian constraint operators satisfying the associated covariance condition, as well as parity invariance, preservation of the Bohr Hilbert space of the Loop Quantum KS and a correct (naïve) classical limit. We further explore the imposition of minimality for the number of terms and compare the solution with those of other Hamiltonian constraints proposed for the Loop Quantum KS in the literature. In particular, we discuss a lapse that was recently commonly chosen due to the resulting decoupling of the evolution of the two degrees of freedom and the exact solubility of the model. We show that such a choice of lapse can indeed be quantized as an operator that is densely defined on the Bohr Hilbert space and that any such operator must include an infinite number of shift operators.

Emergent Time and Time Travel in Quantum Physics

Entertaining the possibility of time travel will invariably challenge dearly-held concepts in fundamental physics. It becomes relatively easy to construct multiple logical contradictions using differing starting points from various well-established fields of physics. Sometimes, the interpretation is that only a full theory of quantum gravity will be able to settle these logical contradictions. Even then, it remains unclear if the multitude of problems could be overcome. Yet as definitive as this seems to the notion of time travel in physics, such recourse to quantum gravity comes with its own, long-standing challenge to most of these counter-arguments to time travel: These arguments rely on time, while quantum gravity is (in)famously stuck with the problem of time. One attempt to answer this problem within the canonical framework resulted in the Page–Wootters formalism, and its recent gauge-theoretic reinterpretation as an emergent notion of time. Herein, we will begin a program to study toy models implementing the Hamiltonian constraint in quantum theory, with an aim toward understanding what an emergent notion of time can tell us about the (im)possibility of time travel.

A possible quantum gravity hint in binary black hole merger

We present a semi-rigorous justification of Bekenstein's Generalized Second Law of Thermodynamics applicable to a universe with black holes present, based on a generic quantum gravity formulation of a black hole spacetime, where the bulk Hamiltonian constraint plays a central role. Specializing to Loop Quantum Gravity, and considering the inspiral and post-ringdown stages of binary black hole merger into a remnant black hole, we show that the Generalized Second Law implies a lower bound on the non-perturbative LQG correction to the Bekenstein-Hawking area law for black hole entropy. This lower bound itself is expressed as a function of the Bekenstein-Hawking area formula for entropy. Results of the analyses of LIGO-VIRGO-KAGRA data recently performed to verify the Hawking Area Theorem for binary black hole merger are shown to be entirely consistent with this Loop Quantum Gravity-induced inequality. However, the consistency is independent of the magnitude of the LQG corrections to black hole entropy, depending only on the negative algebraic sign of the quantum correction. We argue that results of alternative quantum gravity computations of quantum black hole entropy, where the quantum entropy exceeds the Bekenstein-Hawking value, may not share this consistency.

Manifestly covariant worldline actions from coadjoint orbits. Part I. Generalities and vectorial descriptions

We derive manifestly covariant actions of spinning particles starting from coadjoint orbits of isometry groups, by using Hamiltonian reductions. We show that the defining conditions of a classical Lie group can be treated as Hamiltonian constraints which generate the coadjoint orbits of another, dual, Lie group. In case of (inhomogeneous) orthogonal groups, the dual groups are (centrally-extended inhomogeneous) symplectic groups. This defines a symplectic dual pair correspondence between the coadjoint orbits of the isometry group and those of the dual Lie group, whose quantum version is the reductive dual pair correspondence à la Howe. We show explicitly how various particle species arise from the classification of coadjoint orbits of Poincaré and (A)dS symmetry. In the Poincaré case, we recover the data of the Wigner classification, which includes continuous spin particles, (spinning) tachyons and null particles with vanishing momenta, besides the usual massive and massless spinning particles. In (A)dS case, our classification results are not only consistent with the pattern of the corresponding unitary irreducible representations observed in the literature, but also contain novel information. In dS, we find the presence of partially massless spinning particles, but continuous spin particles, spinning tachyons and null particles are absent. The AdS case shows the largest diversity of particle species. It has all particles species of Poincaré symmetry except for the null particle, but allows in addition various exotic entities such as one parameter extension of continuous particles and conformal particles living on the boundary of AdS. Notably, we also find a large class of particles living in “bitemporal” AdS space, including ones where mass and spin play an interchanged role. We also discuss the relative inclusion structure of the corresponding orbits.

Classical and Quantum Descriptions of the Geometrodynamics of Black Holes

Analytical aspects of the classical and quantum geometrodynamics of charged black hole are considered. We start with a reduced action for a spherically symmetric of Maxwell-Einstein system written in characteristic variables. The feature of these configurations is that they admit two motion integrals, the total mass and charge. Momenta and constraint are introduced. Using the conservation laws and the Hamiltonian constraint, the momenta as functions of configuration variables are found. It turns out that the system of equations relating momenta and functional derivatives of an action on a configuration space (CS) is integrable. This allows us to obtain the action functional, as a solution of the Einstein-Hamilton-Jacobi equation in functional derivatives. Variations of the action functional with respect to mass and charge of the configuration lead to the motion trajectories in the CS. Further, the space-temporal action is transformed into an action in the configuration space similar to the Jacobi action of classical mechanics. This induces a metric in the CS. Thus, the metric on the CS is introduced and its geometry is studied. The field variables transformation is obtained which brings the CS metric to the "quasi-Lorentzian" form. On this basis, quantization is considered. Taking into account the structure of the CS, the momentum operators, DeWitt equations, mass and charge operators are constructed. Further, for comparison, consider the reduced CBH model defined in the T-region. In this simplified formulation, the T-model equations are integrated and lead to CBH with a continuous spectrum of mass and charge.

Estimated Age of the Universe in Fractional Cosmology

Our proposed cosmological framework, which is based on fractional quantum cosmology, aims to address the issue of synchronicity in the age of the universe. To achieve this, we have developed a new fractional ΛCDM cosmological model. We obtained the necessary formalism by obtaining the fractional Hamiltonian constraint in a general minisuperspace. This formalism has allowed us to derive the fractional Friedmann and Raychaudhuri equations for a homogeneous and isotropic cosmology. Unlike the traditional de Sitter phase, our model exhibits a power-law accelerated expansion in the late-time universe, when vacuum energy becomes dominant. By fitting the model’s parameters to cosmological observations, we determined that the fractional parameter of Lévy equals α=1.986. Additionally, we have calculated the age of the universe to be 13.8196 Gyr. Furthermore, we have found that the ratio of the age to Hubble time from the present epoch to the distant future is finite and confined within the interval 0.9858≤Ht<95.238.