3,134 research outputs found
Relativistic Positioning Systems: The Emission Coordinates
This paper introduces some general properties of the gravitational metric and
the natural basis of vectors and covectors in 4-dimensional emission
coordinates. Emission coordinates are a class of space-time coordinates defined
and generated by 4 emitters (satellites) broadcasting their proper time by
means of electromagnetic signals. They are a constitutive ingredient of the
simplest conceivable relativistic positioning systems. Their study is aimed to
develop a theory of these positioning systems, based on the framework and
concepts of general relativity, as opposed to introducing `relativistic
effects' in a classical framework. In particular, we characterize the causal
character of the coordinate vectors, covectors and 2-planes, which are of an
unusual type. We obtain the inequality conditions for the contravariant metric
to be Lorentzian, and the non-trivial and unexpected identities satisfied by
the angles formed by each pair of natural vectors. We also prove that the
metric can be naturally split in such a way that there appear 2 parameters
(scalar functions) dependent exclusively on the trajectory of the emitters,
hence independent of the time broadcast, and 4 parameters, one for each
emitter, scaling linearly with the time broadcast by the corresponding
satellite, hence independent of the others.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures. Only format changed for a new submission.
Submitted to Class. Quantum Gra
Positioning systems in Minkowski space-time: from emission to inertial coordinates
The coordinate transformation between emission coordinates and inertial
coordinates in Minkowski space-time is obtained for arbitrary configurations of
the emitters. It appears that a positioning system always generates two
different coordinate domains, namely, the front and the back emission
coordinate domains. For both domains, the corresponding covariant expression of
the transformation is explicitly given in terms of the emitter world-lines.
This task requires the notion of orientation of an emitter configuration. The
orientation is shown to be computable from the emission coordinates for the
users of a `central' region of the front emission coordinate domain. Other
space-time regions associated with the emission coordinates are also outlined.Comment: 20 pages; 1 figur
On the classification of type D spacetimes
We give a classification of the type D spacetimes based on the invariant
differential properties of the Weyl principal structure. Our classification is
established using tensorial invariants of the Weyl tensor and, consequently,
besides its intrinsic nature, it is valid for the whole set of the type D
metrics and it applies on both, vacuum and non-vacuum solutions. We consider
the Cotton-zero type D metrics and we study the classes that are compatible
with this condition. The subfamily of spacetimes with constant argument of the
Weyl eigenvalue is analyzed in more detail by offering a canonical expression
for the metric tensor and by giving a generalization of some results about the
non-existence of purely magnetic solutions. The usefulness of these results is
illustrated in characterizing and classifying a family of Einstein-Maxwell
solutions. Our approach permits us to give intrinsic and explicit conditions
that label every metric, obtaining in this way an operational algorithm to
detect them. In particular a characterization of the Reissner-Nordstr\"{o}m
metric is accomplished.Comment: 29 pages, 0 figure
On the degrees of freedom of a semi-Riemannian metric
A semi-Riemannian metric in a n-manifold has n(n-1)/2 degrees of freedom,
i.e. as many as the number of components of a differential 2-form. We prove
that any semi-Riemannian metric can be obtained as a deformation of a constant
curvature metric, this deformation being parametrized by a 2-for
Large Angle Hadron Correlations from Medium-Induced Gluon Radiation
Final state medium-induced gluon radiation in ultradense nuclear matter is
examined and shown to favor large angle emission when compared to vacuum
bremsstrahlung due to the suppression of collinear gluons. Perturbative
expression for the contribution of its hadronic fragments to the back-to-back
particle correlations is derived. It is found that in the limit of large jet
energy loss gluon radiation determines the yield and angular distribution of |
Delta phi | > Pi/2 di-hadrons to transverse momenta pT2 of the associated
particles. Clear transition from enhancement to suppression of the away-side
hadron correlations is established at moderate pT2 and its experimentally
accessible features are predicted versus the trigger particle momentum pT1.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Figures 1 and 2 and some of the text revised.
Footnote added. As published in Phys. Lett.
A physical application of Kerr-Schild groups
The present work deals with the search of useful physical applications of
some generalized groups of metric transformations. We put forward different
proposals and focus our attention on the implementation of one of them.
Particularly, the results show how one can control very efficiently the kind of
spacetimes related by a Generalized Kerr-Schild (GKS) Ansatz through
Kerr-Schild groups. Finally a preliminar study regarding other generalized
groups of metric transformations is undertaken which is aimed at giving some
hints in new Ans\"atze to finding useful solutions to Einstein's equations.Comment: 18 page
The effect of radial edge lift variation on the speed of RGP lens adaptation
This project was designed to determine if the speed of adaptation to rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses could be increased by initially fitting low edge lift lenses to reduce lid sensation, and subsequently switching the subject to the higher edge lift lens for long term wear. Thirty-two subjects were dispensed lenses and twenty-nine successfully wore the lenses for the entire eight week period. Half of the subjects wore a low edge design for four weeks, followed by a high edge design for the final four weeks. The remaining subjects wore identical pairs of high edge lift designs for both four week periods to serve as the control group. There were no significant differences in the speed of adaptation between the groups as measured by responses to a questionnaire completed by the subjects at each visit; however, large variations in staining and fitting performance for individual patients demonstrated the importance of customizing the peripheral curve system and the edge lift for each patient
Conformal proper times according to the Woodhouse causal axiomatics of relativistic spacetimes
On the basis of the Woodhouse causal axiomatics, we show that conformal
proper times and an extra variable in addition to those of space and time,
precisely and physically identified from experimental examples, together give a
physical justification for the `chronometric hypothesis' of general relativity.
Indeed, we show that, with a lack of these latter two ingredients, no clock
paradox solution exists in which the clock and message functions are solely at
the origin of the asymmetry. These proper times originate from a given
conformal structure of the spacetime when ascribing different compatible
projective structures to each Woodhouse particle, and then, each defines a
specific Weylian sheaf structure. In addition, the proper time
parameterizations, as two point functions, cannot be defined irrespective of
the processes in the relative changes of physical characteristics. These
processes are included via path-dependent conformal scale factors, which act
like sockets for any kind of physical interaction and also represent the values
of the variable associated with the extra dimension. As such, the differential
aging differs far beyond the first and second clock effects in Weyl geometries,
with the latter finally appearing to not be suitable.Comment: 25 pages, 2 figure
Neutrino physics at accelerators
Present and future neutrino experiments at accelerators are mainly concerned
with understanding the neutrino oscillation phenomenon and its implications.
Here a brief account of neutrino oscillations is given together with a
description of the supporting data. Some current and planned accelerator
neutrino experiments are also explained.Comment: 23 pages, 24 figures. Talk given at the Corfu Summer Institute on
Elementary Particle Physics 200
Maximum tree height in European Mountains decreases above a climate-related elevation threshold
Mountain forests face important threats from global change and spatio-temporal variation in tree height can help to monitor these effects. In this study, we used the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation space-borne laser sensor to examine the relationship between maximum tree height and elevation, and the role of climate, in the main European mountain ranges. We found a piecewise relationship between elevation and maximum tree height in all mountain ranges, supporting the existence of a common breakpoint that marks the beginning of tree development limitations. Temperature and precipitation were identified as the most important drivers of tree height variation. Additionally, we predicted significant upward displacement of the breakpoint for the period 2080-2100 under climate change scenarios, potentially increasing the area without growth limitations for trees. These findings contribute to understanding the impacts of global warming on mountain forest ecosystems and provide insights for their monitoring and management
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