Space-time Signature Research Articles

Verifying the no-hair property of massive compact objects with intermediate-mass-ratio inspirals in advanced gravitational-wave detectors

The detection of gravitational waves from the inspiral of a neutron star or stellar-mass black hole into an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) promises an entirely new look at strong-field gravitational physics. Gravitational waves from these intermediate-mass-ratio inspirals (IMRIs), systems with mass ratios from ~10:1 to ~100:1, may be detectable at rates of up to a few tens per year by Advanced LIGO/Virgo and will encode a signature of the central body's spacetime. Direct observation of the spacetime will allow us to use the "no-hair" theorem of general relativity to determine if the IMBH is a Kerr black hole (or some more exotic object, e.g. a boson star). Using modified post-Newtonian (pN) waveforms, we explore the prospects for constraining the central body's mass-quadrupole moment in the advanced-detector era. We use the Fisher information matrix to estimate the accuracy with which the parameters of the central body can be measured. We find that for favorable mass and spin combinations, the quadrupole moment of a non-Kerr central body can be measured to within a ~15% fractional error or better using 3.5 pN order waveforms; on the other hand, we find the accuracy decreases to ~100% fractional error using 2 pN waveforms, except for a narrow band of values of the best-fit non-Kerr quadrupole moment.

Existence of dyons in minimally gauged Skyrme model via constrained minimization

We prove the existence of electrically and magnetically charged particle-like static solutions, known as dyons, in the minimally gauged Skyrme model developed by Brihaye, Hartmann, and Tchrakian. The solutions are spherically symmetric, depend on two continuous parameters, and carry unit monopole and magnetic charges but continuous Skyrme charge and non-quantized electric charge induced from the ʼt Hooft electromagnetism. The problem amounts to obtaining a finite-energy critical point of an indefinite action functional, arising from the presence of electricity and the Minkowski spacetime signature. The difficulty with the absence of the Higgs field is overcome by achieving suitable strong convergence and obtaining uniform decay estimates at singular boundary points so that the negative sector of the action functional becomes tractable.

THE ORBIFOLD-STRING THEORIES OF PERMUTATION-TYPE III: LORENTZIAN AND EUCLIDEAN SPACE—TIMES IN A LARGE EXAMPLE

To illustrate the general results of the previous paper, we discuss here a large concrete example of the orbifold-string theories of permutation-type. For each of the many subexamples, we focus on evaluation of the target space–time dimension[Formula: see text], the target space–time signature and the target space–time symmetry of each cycle j in each twisted sector σ. We find in particular a gratifying space–time symmetry enhancement which naturally matches the space–time symmetry of each cycle to its space–time dimension. Although the orbifolds of ℤ2-permutation-type are naturally Lorentzian, we find that the target space–times associated with larger permutation groups can be Lorentzian, Euclidean and even null [Formula: see text], with varying space–time dimensions, signature and symmetry in a single orbifold.

Existence of Dyons in the Coupled Georgi–Glashow–Skyrme Model

We prove the existence of a continuous family of finite-energy particle-like solutions in the coupled Georgi–Glashow–Skyrme model carrying both electric and magnetic charges, known as dyons. Due to the presence of electricity and the Minkowski spacetime signature, we need to solve a variational problem with an indefinite action functional. Our results show that, while the magnetic charge is uniquely determined by the topological monopole number, the electric charge of a solution can be arbitrarily prescribed in an open interval.

Symmetries of self-dual Yang-Mills equations dimensionally reduced from (2, 2) space-time

We construct infinite-dimensional symmetries of the two dimensional equation which results from the dimensional reduction of the self-duality condition in (2, 2) signature space-time. These are symmetries of the dimensionally reduced Chalmers-Siegel action and so hold off-shell.

2d Gravity with torsion, oriented matroids and 2+2 dimensions

We find a link between oriented matroid theory and 2d gravity with torsion. Our considerations may be useful in the context of noncommutative phase space in a target spacetime of signature (2+2) and in a possible theory of gravity ramification.

Simulating quantum effects of cosmological expansion using a static ion trap

We propose a new experimental test bed that uses ions in the collective ground state of a static trap to study the analogue of quantum-field effects in cosmological spacetimes, including the Gibbons–Hawking effect for a single detector in de Sitter spacetime, as well as the possibility of modeling inflationary structure formation and the entanglement signature of de Sitter spacetime. To date, proposals for using trapped ions in analogue gravity experiments have simulated the effect of gravity on the field modes by directly manipulating the ions' motion. In contrast, by associating laboratory time with conformal time in the simulated universe, we can encode the full effect of curvature in the modulation of the laser used to couple the ions' vibrational motion and electronic states. This model simplifies the experimental requirements for modeling the analogue of an expanding universe using trapped ions, and it enlarges the validity of the ion-trap analogy to a wide range of interesting cases.

Scattering amplitudes and BCFW recursion in twistor space

Twistor ideas have led to a number of recent advances in our understanding of scattering amplitudes. Much of this work has been indirect, determining the twistor space support of scattering amplitudes by examining the amplitudes in momentum space. In this paper, we construct the actual twistor scattering amplitudes themselves. We show that the recursion relations of Britto, Cachazo, Feng and Witten have a natural twistor formulation that, together with the three-point seed amplitudes, allows us to recursively construct general tree amplitudes in twistor space. We obtain explicit formulae for $n$-particle MHV and NMHV super-amplitudes, their CPT conjugates (whose representations are distinct in our chiral framework), and the eight particle N^2MHV super-amplitude. We also give simple closed form formulae for the N=8 supergravity recursion and the MHV and conjugate MHV amplitudes. This gives a formulation of scattering amplitudes in maximally supersymmetric theories in which superconformal symmetry and its breaking is manifest. For N^kMHV, the amplitudes are given by 2n-4 integrals in the form of Hilbert transforms of a product of $n-k-2$ purely geometric, superconformally invariant twistor delta functions, dressed by certain sign operators. These sign operators subtly violate conformal invariance, even for tree-level amplitudes in N=4 super Yang-Mills, and we trace their origin to a topological property of split signature space-time. We develop the twistor transform to relate our work to the ambidextrous twistor diagram approach of Hodges and of Arkani-Hamed, Cachazo, Cheung and Kaplan.

Dual superconformal invariance, momentum twistors and Grassmannians

Dual superconformal invariance has recently emerged as a hidden symmetry of planar scattering amplitudes in = 4 super Yang-Mills theory. This symmetry can be made manifest by expressing amplitudes in terms of `momentum twistors', as opposed to the usual twistors that make the ordinary superconformal properties manifest. The relation between momentum twistors and on-shell momenta is algebraic, so the translation procedure does not rely on any choice of space-time signature. We show that tree amplitudes and box coefficients are succinctly generated by integration of holomorphic δ-functions in momentum twistors over cycles in a Grassmannian. This is analogous to, although distinct from, recent results obtained by Arkani-Hamed et al. in ordinary twistor space. We also make contact with Hodges' polyhedral representation of NMHV amplitudes in momentum twistor space.

Quantum gravity, field theory and signatures of noncommutative spacetime

A pedagogical introduction to some of the main ideas and results of field theories on quantized spacetimes is presented, with emphasis on what such field theories may teach us about the problem of quantizing gravity. We examine to what extent noncommutative gauge theories may be regarded as gauge theories of gravity. UV/IR mixing is explained in detail and we describe its relations to renormalization, to gravitational dynamics, and to deformed dispersion relations in models of quantum spacetime of interest in string theory and in doubly special relativity. We also discuss some potential experimental probes of spacetime noncommutativity.

On determinism and well-posedness in multiple time dimensions

We study the initial value problem for the wave equation and the ultrahyperbolic equation for data posed on initial hypersurfaces surface of arbitrary space–time signature. We show that, under a non-local constraint, the initial value problem posed on codimension-one hypersurfaces—the Cauchy problem—has global unique solutions in the Sobolev spaces H m . Thus, it is well-posed. However, we show that the initial value problem on higher codimension hypersurfaces is ill-posed due to failure of uniqueness, at least when specifying a finite number of derivatives of the data. This failure is in contrast to a uniqueness result for data given in an arbitrary neighbourhood of such initial hypersurfaces, which Courant deduces from Asgeirsson’s mean value theorem. We give a generalization of Courant’s theorem that extends to a broader class of equations. The proofs use Fourier synthesis and the Holmgren–John uniqueness theorem.

Generalized conformal realizations of Kac–Moody algebras

We present a construction which associates an infinite sequence of Kac–Moody algebras, labeled by a positive integer n, to one single Jordan algebra. For n=1, this reduces to the well known Kantor–Koecher–Tits construction. Our generalization utilizes a new relation between different generalized Jordan triple systems, together with their known connections to Jordan and Lie algebras. Applied to the Jordan algebra of Hermitian 3×3 matrices over the division algebras R, C, H, O, the construction gives the exceptional Lie algebras f4, e6, e7, e8 for n=2. Moreover, we obtain their infinite-dimensional extensions for n≥3. In the case of 2×2 matrices, the resulting Lie algebras are of the form so(p+n,q+n) and the concomitant nonlinear realization generalizes the conformal transformations in a spacetime of signature (p,q).

Two-particle kinematic distributions from new physics at an electron–positron collider with polarized beams

The kinematic distributions in two-particle inclusive processes at an $e^+ e^-$ collider arising from standard-model $s$-channel exchange of a virtual \gamma or $Z$ and the interference of the standard-model contribution with contributions from physics beyond the standard model involving s-channel exchanges are derived entirely in terms of the space-time signature of such new physics. Transverse as well as longitudinal polarizations of the electron and positron beams are taken into account. We show how these model-independent distributions can be used to deduce some general properties of the nature of the interaction.We then specialize to two specific two-particle final states, viz., $ZH$, where $H$ is one of the Higgs bosons in a model with an extended Higgs sector, and $f\={f}$, where f, $\={f}$ are a pair of conjugate charged fermions, wherein distributions of two (of the possibly several) decay products are measured.We show how some of the properties of the distributions have been realized in the analysis of physics beyond the standard model in earlier work which made use of two-particle angular distributions.

Black Holes: Interfacing the Classical and the Quantum

The central idea of this paper is that forming the black hole horizon is attended with the transition from the classical regime of evolution to the quantum one. We offer and justify the following criterion for discriminating between the classical and the quantum: creations and annihilations of particle-antiparticle pairs are impossible in the classical reality but possible in the quantum reality. In flat spacetime, we can switch from the classical picture of field propagation to the quantum picture by changing the overall sign of the spacetime signature. To describe a self-gravitating object at the final stage of its classical evolution, we propose to use the Foldy–Wouthuysen representation of the Dirac equation in curved spacetimes, and the Gozzi classical path integral. In both approaches, maintaining the dynamics in the classical regime is controlled by supersymmetry.

A new class of group field theories for first order discrete quantum gravity

Group field theories, a generalization of matrix models for 2D gravity, represent a second quantization of both loop quantum gravity and simplicial quantum gravity. In this paper, we construct a new class of group field theory models, for any choice of spacetime dimension and signature, whose Feynman amplitudes are given by path integrals for clearly identified discrete gravity actions, in first order variables. In the three-dimensional case, the corresponding discrete action is that of first order Regge calculus for gravity (generalized to include higher order corrections), while in higher dimensions, they correspond to a discrete BF theory (again, generalized to higher order) with an imposed orientation restriction on hinge volumes, similar to that characterizing discrete gravity. This new class of group field theories may represent a concrete unifying framework for loop quantum gravity and simplicial quantum gravity approaches.

Charge, Geometry, and Effective Mass

Charge, like mass in Newtonian mechanics, is an irreducible element of electromagnetic theory that must be introduced ab initio. Its origin is not properly a part of the theory. Fields are then defined in terms of forces on either masses—in the case of Newtonian mechanics, or charges in the case of electromagnetism. General Relativity changed our way of thinking about the gravitational field by replacing the concept of a force field with the curvature of space-time. Mass, however, remained an irreducible element. It is shown here that the Reissner-Nordstrom solution to the Einstein field equations tells us that charge, like mass, has a unique space-time signature.

THE (2+2)-SIGNATURE AND THE (1+1)-MATRIX-BRANE

We discuss different aspects of the (2+2)-signature from the point of view of the quatl theory. In particular, we compare two alternative approaches to such a spacetime signature, namely the (1+1)-matrix-brane and the (2+2)-target spacetime of a string. This analysis also reveals hidden discrete symmetries of the (2+2)-brane action associated with the (2+2)-dimensional sector of a (2+10)-dimensional target background.

Finite-Range Electromagnetic Interaction and Magnetic Charges Spacetime Algebra or Algebra of Physical Space?

A finite-range electromagnetic (EM) theory containing both electric and magnetic charges constructed using two vector potentials Aμ and Zμ is formulated in the spacetime algebra (STA) and in the algebra of the three-dimensional physical space (APS) formalisms. Lorentz, local gauge and EM duality invariances are discussed in detail in the APS formalism. Moreover, considerations about signature and dimensionality of spacetime are discussed. Finally, the two formulations are compared. STA and APS are equally powerful in formulating our model, but the presence of a global commuting unit pseudoscalar in the APS formulation and the consequent possibility of providing a geometric interpretation for the imaginary unit employed throughout physics lead us to prefer the APS approach.

Poincaré Duality and G +++ Algebras

Theories with General Relativity as a sub-sector exhibit enhanced symmetries upon dimensional reduction, which is suggestive of “exotic dualities”. Upon inclusion of time-like directions in the reductions one can dualize to theories in different space-time signatures. We clarify the nature of these dualities and show that they are well captured by the properties of infinite-dimensional symmetry algebras (G +++- algebras), but only after taking into account that the realization of Poincaré duality leads to restrictions on the denominator subalgebra appearing in the non-linear realization. The correct realization of Poincaré duality can be encoded in a simple algebraic constraint, that is invariant under the Weyl-group of the G +++-algebra, and therefore independent of the detailed realization of the theory under consideration. We also construct other Weyl-invariant quantities that can be used to extract information from the G +++-algebra without fixing a level decomposition.

Towards an Ashtekar formalism in 12 dimensions

We discuss the Ashtekar formalism from the point of view of twelve dimensions. We first focus on the 2+10 spacetime signature and then we consider the transition $2+10\to (2+2)+(0+8)$. We argue that both sectors 2+2 and 0+8, which are exceptional signatures, can be analyzed from the point of view of a self-dual action associated with the Ashtekar formalism.