Time-machine Spacetime Research Articles

Time-machines construct in f(ℛ, 𝒜, Aμν Aμν ) and f(ℛ) modified gravity theories

In this paper, our objective is to explore a time-machine space-time formulated in general relativity, as introduced by Li (Phys. Rev. D 59, 084016 (1999)), within the context of modified gravity theories. We consider Ricci-inverse gravity of all Classes of models, i.e., (i) Class-I: f(ℛ, 𝒜) = (ℛ + κℛ2 + β 𝒜), (ii) Class-II: f(ℛ, Aμν Aμν ) = (ℛ + κℛ2 + γ Aμν Aμν ) model, and (iii) Class-III: f(ℛ, 𝒜, Aμν Aμν ) = (ℛ + κℛ2 + β𝒜 + δ𝒜2 + γ Aμν Aμν ) model, where Aμν is the anti-curvature tensor, the reciprocal of the Ricci tensor, Rμν , 𝒜 = gμν Aμν is its scalar, and β, κ, γ, δ are the coupling constants. Moreover, we consider f(ℛ) modified gravity theory and investigate the same time-machine space-time. In fact, we show that Li time-machine space-time serve as valid solutions both in Ricci-inverse and f(ℛ) modified gravity theories. Thus, both theory allows the formation of closed time-like curves analogue to general relativity, thereby representing a possible time-machine model in these gravity theories theoretically.

Axial Symmetry Cosmological Constant Vacuum Solution of Field Equations with a Curvature Singularity, Closed Time-Like Curves, and Deviation of Geodesics

In this paper, we present a type D, nonvanishing cosmological constant, vacuum solution of Einstein’s field equations, extension of an axially symmetric, asymptotically flat vacuum metric with a curvature singularity. The space-time admits closed time-like curves (CTCs) that appear after a certain instant of time from an initial space-like hypersurface, indicating it represents a time-machine space-time. We wish to discuss the physical properties and show that this solution can be interpreted as gravitational waves of Coulomb-type propagate on anti-de Sitter space backgrounds. Our treatment focuses on the analysis of the equation of geodesic deviations.

BPS Kerr-AdS time machines

It was recently observed that Kerr-AdS metrics with negative mass can describe smooth spacetimes that have a region within which naked closed time-like curves can arise, bounded by a velocity of light surface. Such spacetimes are sometimes known as time machines. In this paper we study the BPS limit of these metrics, and find that the mass and angular momenta become discretised. The completeness of the spacetime also requires that the asymptotic time coordinate be periodic, with precisely the same period as that which arises naturally for the global AdS, viewed as a hyperboliod in one extra dimension, in which the time machine spacetime is immersed. For the case of equal angular momenta in odd dimensions, we construct the Killing spinors explicitly, and show they are consistent with the global structure. Thus in examples where the solutions can be embedded in gauged supergravity, they will be supersymmetric. We also compare the global structure of the BPS AdS3 time machine with the BTZ black hole, and show that the global structure allows two different supersymmetric limits.

Type N Einstein space Time Machine spacetime

We present an Einstein space axially symmetry spacetime admitting closed timelike curves (CTCs) which appear after a certain instant of time, i.e., a time machine spacetime. The spacetime is a four-dimensional generalization of flat Misner space in curved spacetime, free-from curvature divergences and belongs to type N in the Petrov classification. The spacetime admits a non-expanding, non-twisting, and shear-free null geodesic congruence.

Closed Timelike Curves in Type II Non-Vacuum Spacetime

Here we present a cyclicly symmetric non-vacuum spacetime, admitting closed timelike curves (CTCs) which appear after a certain instant of time, i.e., a time-machine spacetime. The spacetime is asymptotically flat, free-from curvature singularities and a four-dimensional extension of the Misner space in curved spacetime. The spacetime is of type II in the Petrov classification scheme and the matter field pure radiation satisfy the energy condition.

The anti-de Sitter spacetime as a time machine

We construct an axially symmetric spacetime admitting, after a certain instant, closed timelike curves (CTCs) indicating that it is a time-machine spacetime. The spacetime, which is locally anti-de Sitter, is a four-dimensional extension of the Misner space with identical causality-violating properties. In this spacetime, CTCs evolve from a casually well-behaved initial hypersurface.

Extended time-travelling objects in Misner space

Misner space is a two-dimensional (2D) locally-flat spacetime which elegantly demonstrates the emergence of closed timelike curves from causally well-behaved initial conditions. Here we explore the motion of rigid extended objects in this time-machine spacetime. This kind of 2D time-travel is found to be risky due to inevitable self-collisions (i.e. collisions of the object with itself). However, in a straightforward four-dimensional generalization of Misner space (a physically more relevant spacetime obviously), we find a wide range of "safe" time-travel orbits free of any self-collisions.

Testing causality violation on spacetimes with closed timelike curves

Generalized quantum mechanics is used to examine a simple two-particle scattering experiment in which there is a bounded region of closed timelike curves (CTCs) in the experiment's future. The transitional probability is shown to depend on the existence and distribution of the CTCs. The effect is therefore acausal, since the CTCs are in the experiment's causal future. The effect is due to the non-unitary evolution of the pre- and post-scattering particles as they pass through the region of CTCs. We use the time-machine spacetime developed by Politzer [1], in which CTCs are formed due to the identification of a single spatial region at one time with the same region at another time. For certain initial data, the total cross-section of a scattering experiment is shown to deviate from the standard value (the value predicted if no CTCs existed). It is shown that if the time machines are small, sparsely distributed, or far away, then the deviation in the total cross-section may be negligible as compared to the experimental error of even the most accurate measurements of cross-sections. For a spacetime with CTCs at all points, or one where microscopic time machines pervade the spacetime in the final moments before the big crunch, the total cross-section is shown to agree with the standard result (no CTCs) due to a cancellation effect.

Improved time-machine model.

We recently presented a model of a compactly generated and topologically trivial time-machine spacetime which satisfies the weak energy condition all the way up to the critical time slice (achronal hypersurface) in which a closed causal curve appears. Here we modify the above model so as to satisfy not only the weak energy condition, but also the dominant energy condition, up to that critical time slice.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL BILLIARDS WITH TIME MACHINE

Self-collision of a nonrelativistic classical point-like body, or particle, in the spacetime containing closed time-like curves (time-machine spacetime) is considered. A point-like body (particle) is an idealization of a small ideal elastic billiard ball. The known model of a time machine is used containing a wormhole leading to the past. If the body enters one of the mouths of the wormhole, it emerges from another mouth in an earlier time so that both the particle and its “incarnation” coexist during some time and may collide. Such self-collisions are considered in the case when the size of the body is much less than the radius of the mouth, and the latter is much less than the distance between the mouths. Three-dimensional configurations of trajectories with a self-collision are presented. Their dynamics is investigated in detail. Configurations corresponding to multiple wormhole traversals are discussed. It is shown that, for each world line describing self-collision of a particle, dynamically equivalent configurations exist in which the particle collides not with itself but with an identical particle having a closed trajectory (Jinnee of Time Machine).

DECOHERENCE CAUSED BY TOPOLOGY IN A TIME-MACHINE SPACETIME

Nonrelativistic quantum theory of noninteracting particles in the spacetime containing a region with closed time-like curves (time-machine spacetime) is considered with the help of the path-integral technique. It is argued that, in certain conditions, a sort of superselection may exist for evolution of a particle in such a spacetime. All types of evolution are classified by the number n defined as the number of times the particle returns back to its past. It corresponds also to the topological class [Formula: see text] of trajectories of a particle. The evolutions corresponding to different values of n are noncoherent. The amplitudes corresponding to such evolutions may not be superposed. Instead of one evolution operator, as in the conventional (coherent) description, evolution of the particle is described by a family Un of partial evolution operators. This is done in analogy with the formalism of quantum theory of measurements, but with essential new features in the dischronal region (the region with closed time-like curves) of the time-machine spacetime. Partial evolution operators Un are equal to integrals Kn over the classes of paths [Formula: see text] if the evolution begins and ends in the chronal regions. If the evolution begins or/and ends in the dischronal region, the integral Kn over the class [Formula: see text] should be multiplied by a certain projector to give the partial evolution operator Un. Thus defined partial evolution operators possess the property of generalized unitarity ∑nUn†Un=1 and multiplicativity Um(t″, t′)Un(t′, t)=Um+n(t″, t). In the last equation however one of the numbers m or n (or both) must be equal to zero. Therefore, the part of evolution containing repeated returning backward in time cannot be factorized: all backward passages of the particle have to be considered as a single act, that cannot be presented as gradually, step by step, passing through “causal loops.” The (generalized) multiplicativity and unitarity take place for arbitrary time intervals including (i) propagating in initial and final chronal regions (containing no time-like closed curves) or from the initial chronal region to the final one, and (ii) propagating within the time machine (in the dischronal region), from the time machine to the final chronal region or from the initial chronal region to the time machine.

Quantum propagator for a nonrelativistic particle in the vicinity of a time machine

We study the propagator of a non-relativistic, non-interacting particle in any non-relativistic ``time-machine'' spacetime of the type shown in Fig.~1: an external, flat spacetime in which two spatial regions, $V_-$ at time $t_-$ and $V_+$ at time $t_+$, are connected by two temporal wormholes, one leading from the past side of $V_-$ to t the future side of $V_+$ and the other from the past side of $V_+$ to the future side of $V_-$. We express the propagator explicitly in terms of those for ordinary, flat spacetime and for the two wormholes; and from that expression we show that the propagator satisfies completeness and unitarity in the initial and final ``chronal regions'' (regions without closed timelike curves) and its propagation from the initial region to the final region is unitary. However, within the time machine it satisfies neither completeness nor unitarity. We also give an alternative proof of initial-region-to-final-region unitarity based on a conserved current and Gauss's theorem. This proof can be carried over without change to most any non-relativistic time-machine spacetime; it is the non-relativistic version of a theorem by Friedman, Papastamatiou and Simon, which says that for a free scalar field, quantum mechanical unitarity follows from the fact that the classical evolution preserves the Klein-Gordon inner product.