575 research outputs found
On the Generality of Refined Algebraic Quantization
The Dirac quantization `procedure' for constrained systems is well known to
have many subtleties and ambiguities. Within this ill-defined framework, we
explore the generality of a particular interpretation of the Dirac procedure
known as refined algebraic quantization. We find technical conditions under
which refined algebraic quantization can reproduce the general implementation
of the Dirac scheme for systems whose constraints form a Lie algebra with
structure constants. The main result is that, under appropriate conditions, the
choice of an inner product on the physical states is equivalent to the choice
of a ``rigging map'' in refined algebraic quantization.Comment: 12 pages, no figures, ReVTeX, some changes in presentation, some
references adde
Group Averaging for de Sitter free fields
Perturbative gravity about global de Sitter space is subject to
linearization-stability constraints. Such constraints imply that quantum states
of matter fields couple consistently to gravity {\it only} if the matter state
has vanishing de Sitter charges; i.e., only if the state is invariant under the
symmetries of de Sitter space. As noted by Higuchi, the usual Fock spaces for
matter fields contain no de Sitter-invariant states except the vacuum, though a
new Hilbert space of de Sitter invariant states can be constructed via
so-called group-averaging techniques. We study this construction for free
scalar fields of arbitrary positive mass in any dimension, and for linear
vector and tensor gauge fields in any dimension. Our main result is to show in
each case that group averaging converges for states containing a sufficient
number of particles. We consider general -particle states with smooth
wavefunctions, though we obtain somewhat stronger results when the
wavefunctions are finite linear combinations of de Sitter harmonics. Along the
way we obtain explicit expressions for general boost matrix elements in a
familiar basis.Comment: 33 pages, 2 figure
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Refined algebraic quantization: systems with a single constraint
This paper explores in some detail a recent proposal (the Rieffel induction/refined algebraic quantization scheme) for the quantization of constrained gauge systems. Below, the focus is on systems with a single constraint and, in this context, on the uniqueness of the construction. While in general the results depend heavily on the choices made for certain auxiliary structures, an additional physical argument leads to a unique result for typical cases. We also discuss the `superselection laws' that result from this scheme and how their existence also depends on the choice of auxiliary structures. Again, when these structures are chosen in a physically motivated way, the resulting superselection laws are physically reasonable
Comparing Formulations of Generalized Quantum Mechanics for Reparametrization-Invariant Systems
A class of decoherence schemes is described for implementing the principles
of generalized quantum theory in reparametrization-invariant `hyperbolic'
models such as minisuperspace quantum cosmology. The connection with
sum-over-histories constructions is exhibited and the physical equivalence or
inequivalence of different such schemes is analyzed. The discussion focuses on
comparing constructions based on the Klein-Gordon product with those based on
the induced (a.k.a. Rieffel, Refined Algebraic, Group Averaging, or Spectral
Analysis) inner product. It is shown that the Klein-Gordon and induced products
can be simply related for the models of interest. This fact is then used to
establish isomorphisms between certain decoherence schemes based on these
products.Comment: 21 pages ReVTe
String/M-branes for Relativists
These notes present an introduction to branes in ten and eleven dimensional supergravity and string/M-theory which is geared to an audience of traditional relativists, especially graduate students and others with little background in supergravity. They are designed as a tutorial and not as a thorough review of the subject; as a result, many topics of current interest are not addressed. However, a guide to further reading is included. The presentation begins with eleven dimensional supergravity, stressing its relation to 3+1 Einstein-Maxwell theory. The notion of Kaluza-Klein compactification is then introduced, and is used to relate the eleven dimensional discussion to supergravity in 9+1 dimensions and to string theory. The focus is on type IIA supergravity, but the type IIB theory is also addressed, as is the T-duality symmetry that relates them. Branes in both 10+1 and 9+1 dimensions are included. Finally, although the details are not discussed, a few comments are provided on the relation between supergravity and string perturbation theory and on black hole entropy. The goal is to provide traditional relativists with a kernel of knowledge from which to grow their understanding of branes and strings
A Note on Scalar Field Theory in AdS_3/CFT_2
We consider a scalar field theory in AdS_{d+1}, and introduce a formalism on
surfaces at equal values of the radial coordinate. In particular, we define the
corresponding conjugate momentum. We compute the Noether currents for
isometries in the bulk, and perform the asymptotic limit on the corresponding
charges. We then introduce Poisson brackets at the border, and show that the
asymptotic values of the bulk scalar field and the conjugate momentum transform
as conformal fields of scaling dimensions \Delta_{-} and \Delta_{+},
respectively, where \Delta_{\pm} are the standard parameters giving the
asymptotic behavior of the scalar field in AdS. Then we consider the case d=2,
where we obtain two copies of the Virasoro algebra, with vanishing central
charge at the classical level. An AdS_3/CFT_2 prescription, giving the
commutators of the boundary CFT in terms of the Poisson brackets at the border,
arises in a natural way. We find that the boundary CFT is similar to a
generalized ghost system. We introduce two different ground states, and then
compute the normal ordering constants and quantum central charges, which depend
on the mass of the scalar field and the AdS radius. We discuss certain
implications of the results.Comment: 24 pages. v2: added minor clarification. v3: added several comments
and discussions, abstract sligthly changed. Version to be publishe
A Uniqueness Theorem for Constraint Quantization
This work addresses certain ambiguities in the Dirac approach to constrained
systems. Specifically, we investigate the space of so-called ``rigging maps''
associated with Refined Algebraic Quantization, a particular realization of the
Dirac scheme. Our main result is to provide a condition under which the rigging
map is unique, in which case we also show that it is given by group averaging
techniques. Our results comprise all cases where the gauge group is a
finite-dimensional Lie group.Comment: 23 pages, RevTeX, further comments and references added (May 26. '99
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