32 research outputs found
Quantization via Deformation of Prequantization
We introduce the notion of a "Souriau bracket" on a prequantum circle bundle
over a phase space and explain how a deformation of in the
direction of this bracket provides a genuine quantization of .Comment: 22 pages. Published version: Reports on Mathematical Physics 70:2
(2012) 361--37
Conservation of energy and momenta in nonholonomic systems with affine constraints
We characterize the conditions for the conservation of the energy and of the
components of the momentum maps of lifted actions, and of their `gauge-like'
generalizations, in time-independent nonholonomic mechanical systems with
affine constraints. These conditions involve geometrical and mechanical
properties of the system, and are codified in the so-called
reaction-annihilator distribution
On some aspects of the geometry of differential equations in physics
In this review paper, we consider three kinds of systems of differential
equations, which are relevant in physics, control theory and other applications
in engineering and applied mathematics; namely: Hamilton equations, singular
differential equations, and partial differential equations in field theories.
The geometric structures underlying these systems are presented and commented.
The main results concerning these structures are stated and discussed, as well
as their influence on the study of the differential equations with which they
are related. Furthermore, research to be developed in these areas is also
commented.Comment: 21 page
Celestial Mechanics, Conformal Structures, and Gravitational Waves
The equations of motion for non-relativistic particles attracting
according to Newton's law are shown to correspond to the equations for null
geodesics in a -dimensional Lorentzian, Ricci-flat, spacetime with a
covariantly constant null vector. Such a spacetime admits a Bargmann structure
and corresponds physically to a generalized pp-wave. Bargmann electromagnetism
in five dimensions comprises the two Galilean electro-magnetic theories (Le
Bellac and L\'evy-Leblond). At the quantum level, the -body Schr\"odinger
equation retains the form of a massless wave equation. We exploit the conformal
symmetries of such spacetimes to discuss some properties of the Newtonian
-body problem: homographic solutions, the virial theorem, Kepler's third
law, the Lagrange-Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector arising from three conformal
Killing 2-tensors, and motions under inverse square law forces with a
gravitational constant varying inversely as time (Dirac). The latter
problem is reduced to one with time independent forces for a rescaled position
vector and a new time variable; this transformation (Vinti and Lynden-Bell)
arises from a conformal transformation preserving the Ricci-flatness
(Brinkmann). A Ricci-flat metric representing non-relativistic
gravitational dyons is also pointed out. Our results for general time-dependent
are applicable to the motion of point particles in an expanding
universe. Finally we extend these results to the quantum regime.Comment: 26 pages, LaTe
Canonical Lagrangian Dynamics and General Relativity
Building towards a more covariant approach to canonical classical and quantum
gravity we outline an approach to constrained dynamics that de-emphasizes the
role of the Hamiltonian phase space and highlights the role of the Lagrangian
phase space. We identify a "Lagrangian one-form" to replace the standard
symplectic one-form, which we use to construct the canonical constraints and an
associated constraint algebra. The method is particularly useful for generally
covariant systems and systems with a degenerate canonical symplectic form, such
as Einstein Cartan gravity, to which we apply the method explicitly. We find
that one can demonstrate the closure of the constraints without gauge fixing
the Lorentz group or introducing primary constraints on the phase space
variables. Finally, using geometric quantization techniques, we briefly discuss
implications of the formalism for the quantum theory.Comment: Version published in Classical and Quantum Gravity. Significant
content and references adde
The unexpected resurgence of Weyl geometry in late 20-th century physics
Weyl's original scale geometry of 1918 ("purely infinitesimal geometry") was
withdrawn by its author from physical theorizing in the early 1920s. It had a
comeback in the last third of the 20th century in different contexts: scalar
tensor theories of gravity, foundations of gravity, foundations of quantum
mechanics, elementary particle physics, and cosmology. It seems that Weyl
geometry continues to offer an open research potential for the foundations of
physics even after the turn to the new millennium.Comment: Completely rewritten conference paper 'Beyond Einstein', Mainz Sep
2008. Preprint ELHC (Epistemology of the LHC) 2017-02, 92 pages, 1 figur