47 research outputs found
Quantum evolution across singularities
Attempts to consider evolution across space-time singularities often lead to
quantum systems with time-dependent Hamiltonians developing an isolated
singularity as a function of time. Examples include matrix theory in certain
singular time-dependent backgounds and free quantum fields on the
two-dimensional compactified Milne universe. Due to the presence of the
singularities in the time dependence, the conventional quantum-mechanical
evolution is not well-defined for such systems. We propose a natural way,
mathematically analogous to renormalization in conventional quantum field
theory, to construct unitary quantum evolution across the singularity. We carry
out this procedure explicitly for free fields on the compactified Milne
universe and compare our results with the matching conditions considered in
earlier work (which were based on the covering Minkowski space).Comment: revised with an emphasis on local counterterm subtraction rather than
analyticity; version to be submitted for publicatio
Light-like Big Bang singularities in string and matrix theories
Important open questions in cosmology require a better understanding of the
Big Bang singularity. In string and matrix theories, light-like analogues of
cosmological singularities (singular plane wave backgrounds) turn out to be
particularly tractable. We give a status report on the current understanding of
such light-like Big Bang models, presenting both solved and open problems.Comment: 20 pages, invited review for Class. Quant. Grav; v3: section 2.3
shortened, discussion on DLCQ added in section 3.1, published versio
p-branes on the waves
We present a large family of simple, explicit ten-dimensional supergravity
solutions describing extended extremal supersymmetric Ramond-Ramond p-branes
embedded into time-dependent dilaton-gravity plane waves of an arbitrary
(isotropic) profile, with the brane world-volume aligned parallel to the
propagation direction of the wave. Generalizations to the non-extremal case are
not analyzed explicitly, but can be pursued as indicated.Comment: 11 pages; v.2 minor notation changes, minor typos corrected
(published version
Can free strings propagate across plane wave singularities?
We study free string propagation in families of plane wave geometries
developing strong scale-invariant singularities in certain limits. We relate
the singular limit of the evolution for all excited string modes to that of the
center-of-mass motion (the latter existing for discrete values of the overall
plane wave profile normalization). Requiring that the entire excitation energy
of the string should be finite turns out to be quite restrictive and
essentially excludes consistent propagation across the singularity, unless
dimensionful scales are introduced at the singular locus (in an otherwise
scale-invariant space-time).Comment: 24 pages; v.2: published version, minor clarifications adde
Quantum evolution across singularities: the case of geometrical resolutions
We continue the study of time-dependent Hamiltonians with an isolated
singularity in their time dependence, describing propagation on singular
space-times. In previous work, two of us have proposed a "minimal subtraction"
prescription for the simplest class of such systems, involving Hamiltonians
with only one singular term. On the other hand, Hamiltonians corresponding to
geometrical resolutions of space-time tend to involve multiple operator
structures (multiple types of dependence on the canonical variables) in an
essential way.
We consider some of the general properties of such (near-)singular
Hamiltonian systems, and further specialize to the case of a free scalar field
on a two-parameter generalization of the null-brane space-time. We find that
the singular limit of free scalar field evolution exists for a discrete subset
of the possible values of the two parameters. The coordinates we introduce
reveal a peculiar reflection property of scalar field propagation on the
generalized (as well as the original) null-brane. We further present a simple
family of pp-wave geometries whose singular limit is a light-like hyperplane
(discontinuously) reflecting the positions of particles as they pass through
it.Comment: 25 pages, 1 figur
A smooth bouncing cosmology with scale invariant spectrum
We present a bouncing cosmology which evolves from the contracting to the
expanding phase in a smooth way, without developing instabilities or
pathologies and remaining in the regime of validity of 4d effective field
theory. A nearly scale invariant spectrum of perturbations is generated during
the contracting phase by an isocurvature scalar with a negative exponential
potential and then converted to adiabatic. The model predicts a slightly blue
spectrum, n_S >~ 1, no observable gravitational waves and a high (but model
dependent) level of non-Gaussianities with local shape. The model represents an
explicit and predictive alternative to inflation, although, at present, it is
clearly less compelling.Comment: 20 pages, 1 fig. v2: references added, JCAP published versio
Intersecting black branes in strong gravitational waves
We consider intersecting black branes with strong gravitational waves
propagating along their worldvolume in the context of supergravity theories.
Both near-horizon and space-filling gravitational wave modes are included in
our ansatz. The equations of motion (originally, partial differential
equations) are shown to reduce to ordinary differential equations, which
include a Toda-like system. For special arrangements of intersecting black
branes, the Toda-like system becomes integrable, permitting a more thorough
analysis of the gravitational equations of motion.Comment: 17 pages; v2: cosmetic improvements, published versio