Null Surface Research Articles

Perturbations of classical fields by gravitational shockwaves

Gravitational shockwaves are geometries where components of the transverse curvature have abrupt behaviour across null hypersurfaces, which are fronts of the waves. We develop a general approach to describe classical field theories on such geometries in a linearized approximation, by using free scalar fields as a model. Perturbations caused by shockwaves exist above the wave front and are solutions to a characteristic Cauchy problem with initial data on the wave front determined by a supertranslation of ingoing fields. A special attention is paid to perturbations of fields of point-like sources generated by plane-fronted gravitational shockwaves. One has three effects: conversion of non-stationary perturbations into an outgoing radiation, a spherical scalar shockwave which appears when the gravitational wave hits the source, and a plane scalar shockwave accompanying the initial gravitational wave. Our analysis is applicable to gravitational shockwaves of a general class including geometries sourced by null particles and null branes.

Cenozoic Carbon Dioxide: The 66 Ma Solution

The trend in partial pressure of atmospheric CO2, P(CO2), across the 66 MYr of the Cenozoic requires elucidation and explanation. The Null Hypothesis sets sea surface temperature (SST) as the baseline driver for Cenozoic P(CO2). The crystallization and cooling of flood basalt magmas is proposed to have heated the ocean, producing the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). Heat of fusion and heat capacity were used to calculate flood basalt magmatic Joule heating of the ocean. Each 1 million km3 of oceanic flood basaltic magma liberates ~5.4 × 1024 J, able to heat the global ocean by ~0.97 °C. Henry’s Law for CO2 plus seawater (HS) was calculated using δ18O proxy-estimated Cenozoic SSTs. HS closely parallels Cenozoic SST and predicts the gas solute partition across the sea surface. The fractional change of Henry’s Law constants, Hn−HiHn−H0 is proportional to ΔP(CO2)i, and Hn−HiHn−H0×∆P(CO2)+P(CO2)min, where ΔP(CO2) = P(CO2)max − P(CO2)min, closely reconstructs the proxy estimate of Cenozoic P(CO2) and is most consistent with a 35 °C PETM ocean. Disparities are assigned to carbonate drawdown and organic carbon sedimentation. The Null Hypothesis recovers the glacial/interglacial P(CO2) over the VOSTOK 420 ka ice core record, including the rise to the Holocene. The success of the Null Hypothesis implies that P(CO2) has been a molecular spectator of the Cenozoic climate. A generalizing conclusion is that the notion of atmospheric CO2 as the predominant driver of Cenozoic global surface temperature should be set aside.

Crossed products, conditional expectations and constraint quantization

Recent work has highlighted the importance of crossed products in correctly elucidating the operator algebraic approach to quantum field theories. In the gravitational context, the crossed product simultaneously promotes von Neumann algebras associated with subregions in diffeomorphism covariant quantum field theories from type III to type II, and provides the necessary ingredients to gravitationally dress operators, thereby enforcing the constraints of the theory. In this note we enhance the crossed product construction to the context of general gauge theories with arbitrary combinations of internal and spacetime local symmetries. This is done by leveraging the correspondence between the crossed product and the extended phase space. We then undertake a detailed study of constraint quantization from the perspective of a generic crossed product algebra. We study and compare four distinct approaches to constraint quantization from this point of view: refined algebraic quantization, BRST quantization, path integral quantization, and the commutation theorem for crossed products. Far from simply reproducing existing analyses, the operator algebraic viewpoint sheds new light on old problems by reformulating the dressing of operators in terms of conditional expectations and other closely related projection maps. We conclude by applying our approach to the constraint quantization of three distinct gauge theories including a discussion of gravity on null hypersurfaces.

Induced motions on Carroll geometries

In this article, we consider some Carrollian dynamical systems as effective models on null hypersurfaces in a Lorentzian spacetime. We show that we can realize Carroll models from more usual ‘relativistic’ theories. In particular, we show how ambient null geodesics imply the classical ʼno Carroll motion’ and, more interestingly, we find that the ambient model of chiral fermions implies Hall motion on null hypersurfaces, in agreement with previous intrinsic Carroll results. We also show how Wigner–Souriau translations imply (apparent) Carroll motion, and how ambient particles with a non vanishing gyromagnetic ratio cannot have a Carrollian description.

Horizon phase spaces in general relativity

We derive a prescription for the phase space of general relativity on two intersecting null surfaces using the null initial value formulation. The phase space allows generic smooth initial data, and the corresponding boundary symmetry group is the semidirect product of the group of arbitrary diffeomorphisms of each null boundary which coincide at the corner, with a group of reparameterizations of the null generators. The phase space can be consistently extended by acting with half-sided boosts that generate Weyl shocks along the initial data surfaces. The extended phase space includes the relative boost angle between the null surfaces as part of the initial data.We then apply the Wald-Zoupas framework to compute gravitational charges and fluxes associated with the boundary symmetries. The non-uniqueness in the charges can be reduced to two free parameters by imposing covariance and invariance under rescalings of the null normals. We show that the Wald-Zoupas stationarity criterion cannot be used to eliminate the non-uniqueness. The different choices of parameters correspond to different choices of polarization on the phase space. We also derive the symmetry groups and charges for two subspaces of the phase space, the first obtained by fixing the direction of the normal vectors, and the second by fixing the direction and normalization of the normal vectors. The second symmetry group consists of Carrollian diffeomorphisms on the two boundaries.Finally we specialize to future event horizons by imposing the condition that the area element be non-decreasing and become constant at late times. For perturbations about stationary backgrounds we determine the independent dynamical degrees of freedom by solving the constraint equations along the horizons. We mod out by the degeneracy directions of the presymplectic form, and apply a similar procedure for weak non-degeneracies, to obtain the horizon edge modes and the Poisson structure. We show that the area operator of the black hole generates a shift in the relative boost angle under the Poisson bracket.

Self-similar collapse in Painlevé–Gullstrand coordinates

We report a family of self-similar exact solutions in General Relativity. The solutions are found in a Painleve-Gullstrand coordinate system but can also be transformed smoothly into a diagonal form. The solutions represent a gravitational collapse leading to three possible outcomes, depending on the parameter space: (i) a collapse followed by a bounce and dispersal of the clustered matter distribution, (ii) a rapid collapse followed by a bounce and an eventual re-collapse, and (iii) a standard collapse leading to zero proper volume. Profiles of the energy conditions are studied for all of the scenarios, and it is noted that a bounce is usually associated with a violation of the Null Energy Condition. It is found that more than one null surfaces (apparent horizons) can develop during the collapse. We also discuss that for a general metric tensor having a conformal symmetry, some regions of the parameter space allows a formation of null throat, much like a wormhole. Matching the metric with a Schwarzschild metric in Painleve–Gullstrand form leads to the geodesic equation for a zero energy falling particle in the exterior.

Horizons that gyre and gimble: a differential characterization of null hypersurfaces

Motivated by the thermodynamics of black hole solutions conformal to stationary solutions, we study the geometric invariant theory of null hypersurfaces. It is well-known that a null hypersurface in a Lorentzian manifold can be treated as a Carrollian geometry. Additional structure can be added to this geometry by choosing a connection which yields a Carrollian manifold. In the literature various authors have introduced Koszul connections to study the study the physics on these hypersurfaces. In this paper we examine the various Carrollian geometries and their relationship to null hypersurface embeddings. We specify the geometric data required to construct a rigid Carrollian geometry, and we argue that a connection with torsion is the most natural object to study Carrollian manifolds. We then use this connection to develop a hypersurface calculus suitable for a study of intrinsic and extrinsic differential invariants on embedded null hypersurfaces; motivating examples are given, including geometric invariants preserved under conformal transformations.

Carrollian hydrodynamics and symplectic structure on stretched horizons

The membrane paradigm displays underlying connections between a timelike stretched horizon and a null boundary (such as a black hole horizon) and bridges the gravitational dynamics of the horizon with fluid dynamics. In this work, we revisit the membrane viewpoint of a finite-distance null boundary and present a unified geometrical treatment of the stretched horizon and the null boundary based on the rigging technique of hypersurfaces. This allows us to provide a unified geometrical description of null and timelike hypersurfaces, which resolves the singularity of the null limit appearing in the conventional stretched horizon description. We also extend the Carrollian fluid picture and the geometrical Carrollian description of the null horizon, which have been recently argued to be the correct fluid picture of the null boundary, to the stretched horizon. To this end, we draw a dictionary between gravitational degrees of freedom on the stretched horizon and the Carrollian fluid quantities and show that Einstein’s equations projected onto the horizon are the Carrollian hydrodynamic conservation laws. Lastly, we report that the gravitational pre-symplectic potential of the stretched horizon can be expressed in terms of conjugate variables of Carrollian fluids and also derive the Carrollian conservation laws and the corresponding Noether charges from symmetries.

The crease flow on null hypersurfaces

The crease flow, replacing the Hamiltonian system used for the evolution of crease sets on black hole horizons, is introduced and its bifurcation properties for null hypersurfaces are discussed. We state the conditions of nondegeneracy and typicality for the crease submanifolds, and find their normal forms and versal unfoldings (codimension 3). The allowed boundary singularities are thus prescribed by the Arnold–Kazaryan–Shcherbak theorem for 3-parameter versal families, and hence identified as swallowtails and Whitney umbrellas of particular kinds. We further present the bifurcation diagrams describing crease evolution at the crossings of the bifurcation sets and elsewhere, and a typical example is studied. Some remarks on the connection of these results to the crease evolution on black hole horizons are also given.

On the existence of sections with constant surface gravity on null hypersurfaces

We identify, in spacetimes satisfying the null convergence condition, a certain natural class of null hypersurfaces that admit null sections with constant surface gravity. Our work is meant to offer novel results complementary to previous work on null hypersurfaces of zero expansion, arising in the study of Cauchy and black hole horizons in general relativity.

RF dispersion relations in FRC geometries and HHFW regime

Field reversed configurations (FRC) are characterized by a magnetic field topology, which exhibits the inversion of the external magnetic field through plasma sustained current and the subsequent presence of a null field surface. A monotonical radial decrease in the longitudinal magnetic field leads to the potential presence of harmonics of the ion cyclotron frequency of any order in the region included between the outer wall and the null field surface. What is the effective hot-plasma dispersion relation obtained through the convolution of a large ensemble of high harmonics fast waves (HHFW) confined in a finite radial region represents an open question that we attempt to address here. In particular, we discuss a combination of analytical modeling and numerical treatment, which allows us to retrieve the resulting high harmonic fast wave complex wavevector for any radial location of any FRC radial profile. Moreover, we show how the obtained hot-plasma HHFW wavevector relates to the cold-plasma solution, and how it depends on the plasma parameters.

Null Raychaudhuri: canonical structure and the dressing time

We initiate a study of gravity focusing on generic null hypersurfaces, non-perturbatively in the Newton coupling. We present an off-shell account of the extended phase space of the theory, which includes the expected spin-2 data as well as spin-0, spin-1 and arbitrary matter degrees of freedom. We construct the charges and the corresponding kinematic Poisson brackets, employing a Beltrami parameterization of the spin-2 modes. We explicitly show that the constraint algebra closes, the details of which depend on the non-perturbative mixing between spin-0 and spin-2 modes. Finally we show that the spin zero sector encodes a notion of a clock, called dressing time, which is dynamical and conjugate to the constraint.It is well-known that the null Raychaudhuri equation describes how the geometric data of a null hypersurface evolve in null time in response to gravitational radiation and external matter. Our analysis leads to three complementary viewpoints on this equation. First, it can be understood as a Carrollian stress tensor conservation equation. Second, we construct spin-0, spin-2 and matter stress tensors that act as generators of null time reparametrizations for each sector. This leads to the perspective that the null Raychaudhuri equation can be understood as imposing that the sum of CFT-like stress tensors vanishes. Third, we solve the Raychaudhuri constraint non-perturbatively. The solution relates the dressing time to the spin-2 and matter boost charge operators.Finally we establish that the corner charge corresponding to the boost operator in the dressing time frame is monotonic. These results show that the notion of an observer can be thought of as emerging from the gravitational degrees of freedom themselves. We briefly mention that the construction offers new insights into focusing conjectures.

Rigged scalar curvature on null hypersurfaces of GRW spacetimes

Rigged scalar curvature on null hypersurfaces of GRW spacetimes

Characterization of the null energy condition via displacement convexity of entropy

AbstractWe characterize the null energy condition for an ‐dimensional, time‐oriented Lorentzian manifold in terms of convexity of the relative ‐Renyi entropy along displacement interpolations on null hypersurfaces. More generally, we also consider Lorentzian manifolds with a smooth weight function and introduce the Bakry–Emery ‐null energy condition that we characterize in terms of null displacement convexity of the relative ‐Renyi entropy. As application we then revisit Hawking's area monotonicity theorem for a black hole horizon and the Penrose Singularity Theorem from the viewpoint of this characterization and in the context of weighted Lorentzian manifolds.

Scattering amplitudes and electromagnetic horizons

We consider the scattering of charged particles on particular electromagnetic fields which have properties analogous to gravitational horizons. Classically, particles become causally excluded from regions of spacetime beyond a null surface which we identify as the ‘electromagnetic horizon’. In the quantum theory there is pair production at the horizon via the Schwinger effect, but only one particle from the pair escapes the field. Furthermore, unitarity appears to be violated when crossing the horizon, suggesting there is no well-defined S-matrix. Despite this, we show how to use the perturbiner method to construct ‘amplitudes’ which contain all the dynamical information required to construct observables related to pair creation, and to radiation from particles scattering on the background.

Quantum focusing conjecture and the Page curve

The focusing theorem fails for evaporating black holes because the null energy condition is violated by quantum effects. The quantum focusing conjecture is proposed so that it is satisfied even if the null energy condition is violated. The conjecture states that the derivative of the sum of the area of a cross-section of the null geodesic congruence and the entanglement entropy of matter outside it is non-increasing. Naively, it is expected that the quantum focusing conjecture is violated after the Page time as both the area of the horizon and the entanglement entropy of the Hawking radiation are decreasing. We calculate the entanglement entropy after the Page time by using the island rule, and find the following results: (i) the page time is given by an approximately null surface, (ii) the entanglement entropy is increasing along the outgoing null geodesic even after the Page time, and (iii) the quantum focusing conjecture is not violated.

General gravitational charges on null hypersurfaces

We perform a detailed study of the covariance properties of the symplectic potential of general relativity on a null hypersurface, and of the different polarizations that can be used to study conservative as well as leaky boundary conditions. This allows us to identify a one-parameter family of covariant symplectic potentials. We compute the charges and fluxes for the most general phase space with arbitrary variations. We study five symmetry groups that arise when different restrictions on the variations are included. Requiring stationarity as in the original Wald-Zoupas prescription selects a unique member of the family of symplectic potentials, the one of Chandrasekaran, Flanagan and Prabhu. The associated charges are all conserved on non-expanding horizons, but not on flat spacetime. We show that it is possible to require a weaker notion of stationarity which selects another symplectic potential, again in a unique way, and whose charges are conserved on both non-expanding horizons and flat light-cones. Furthermore, the flux of future-pointing diffeomorphisms at leading-order around an outgoing flat light-cone is positive and reproduces a tidal heating plus a memory term. We also study the conformal conservative boundary conditions suggested by the alternative polarization and identify under which conditions they define a non-ambiguous variational principle. Our results have applications for dynamical notions of entropy, and are useful to clarify the interplay between different boundary conditions, charge prescriptions, and symmetry groups that can be associated with a null boundary.

Constructing Carrollian field theories from null reduction

In this paper, we propose a novel way to construct off-shell actions of d-dimensional Carrollian field theories by considering the null-reduction of the Bargmann invariant actions in d +1 dimensions. This is based on the fact that d-dimensional Carrollian symmetry is the restriction of the (d + 1)-dimensional Bargmann symmetry to a null hypersurface. We focus on free scalar field theory and electromagnetic field theory, and show that the electric sectors and the magnetic sectors of these theories originate from different Bargmann invariant actions in one higher dimension. In the cases of massless free scalar field and d = 4 electromagnetic field, we verify the Carrollian conformal invariance of the resulting theories, and find that there appear naturally chain representations and staggered modules of Carrollian conformal algebra.

Quantum flux operators for Carrollian diffeomorphism in general dimensions

We construct Carrollian scalar field theories in general dimensions, mainly focusing on the boundaries of Minkowski and Rindler spacetime, whose quantum flux operators form a faithful representation of Carrollian diffeomorphism up to a central charge, respectively. At future/past null infinity, the fluxes are physically observable and encode rich information of the radiation. The central charge may be regularized to be finite by the spectral zeta function or heat kernel method on the unit sphere. For the theory at the Rindler horizon, the effective central charge is proportional to the area of the bifurcation surface after regularization. Moreover, the zero mode of supertranslation is identified as the modular Hamiltonian, linking Carrollian diffeomorphism to quantum information theory. Our results may hold for general null hypersurfaces and provide new insight in the study of the Carrollian field theory, asymptotic symmetry group and entanglement entropy.

Null hypersurfaces in 4-manifolds endowed with a product structure

AbstractIn a 4-manifold, the composition of a Riemannian Einstein metric with an almost paracomplex structure that is isometric and parallel defines a neutral metric that is conformally flat and scalar flat. In this paper, we study hypersurfaces that are null with respect to this neutral metric, and in particular we study their geometric properties with respect to the Einstein metric. Firstly, we show that all totally geodesic null hypersurfaces are scalar flat and their existence implies that the Einstein metric in the ambient manifold must be Ricci-flat. Then, we find a necessary condition for the existence of null hypersurface with equal nontrivial principal curvatures, and finally, we give a necessary condition on the ambient scalar curvature, for the existence of null (non-minimal) hypersurfaces that are of constant mean curvature.