935 research outputs found
Effective actions with fixed points, (error in derivation of coefficient corrected)
The specific form of the constant term in the asymptotic expansion of the
heat-kernel on an axially-symmetric space with a codimension two fixed-point
set of conical singularities is used to determine the associated conformal
change of the effective action in four dimensions. Another derivation of the
relevant coefficient is presented.Comment: 10p,uses JyTeX,MUTP/94/1
Spherical Casimir energies and Dedekind sums
Casimir energies on space-times having general lens spaces as their spatial
sections are shown to be given in terms of generalised Dedekind sums related to
Zagier's. These are evaluated explicitly in certain cases as functions of the
order of the lens space. An easily implemented recursion approach is used.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures, v2:typos corrected, inessential equation in
Discussion altered. v3:typos corrected, 1 reference and comments added.
v4:typos corrected. Ancillary results added in an appendi
The Dirac-Dowker Oscillator
The oscillator-like interaction is introduced in the equation for the
particle of arbitrary spin, given by Dirac and re-written to a matrix form by
Dowker.Comment: LaTeX file, 4pp. Preprint EFUAZ 94-0
The Scalar Curvature of a Causal Set
A one parameter family of retarded linear operators on scalar fields on
causal sets is introduced. When the causal set is well-approximated by 4
dimensional Minkowski spacetime, the operators are Lorentz invariant but
nonlocal, are parametrised by the scale of the nonlocality and approximate the
continuum scalar D'Alembertian, , when acting on fields that vary slowly
on the nonlocality scale. The same operators can be applied to scalar fields on
causal sets which are well-approximated by curved spacetimes in which case they
approximate where is the Ricci scalar curvature. This can
used to define an approximately local action functional for causal sets.Comment: Typo in definition of equation (3) and definition of n(x,y)
corrected. Note: published version still contains typ
Zero modes, entropy bounds and partition functions
Some recent finite temperature calculations arising in the investigation of
the Verlinde-Cardy relation are re-analysed. Some remarks are also made about
temperature inversion symmetry.Comment: 12 pages, JyTe
The continuum limit of a 4-dimensional causal set scalar d'Alembertian
The continuum limit of a 4-dimensional, discrete d'Alembertian operator for
scalar fields on causal sets is studied. The continuum limit of the mean of
this operator in the Poisson point process in 4-dimensional Minkowski spacetime
is shown to be the usual continuum scalar d'Alembertian . It is shown
that the mean is close to the limit when there exists a frame in which the
scalar field is slowly varying on a scale set by the density of the Poisson
process. The continuum limit of the mean of the causal set d'Alembertian in
4-dimensional curved spacetime is shown to equal , where
is the Ricci scalar, under certain conditions on the spacetime and the
scalar field.Comment: 31 pages, 2 figures. Slightly revised version, accepted for
publication in Classical and Quantum Gravit
Causality in Time-Neutral Cosmologies
Gell-Mann and Hartle (GMH) have recently considered time-neutral cosmological
models in which the initial and final conditions are independently specified,
and several authors have investigated experimental tests of such models.
We point out here that GMH time-neutral models can allow superluminal
signalling, in the sense that it can be possible for observers in those
cosmologies, by detecting and exploiting regularities in the final state, to
construct devices which send and receive signals between space-like separated
points. In suitable cosmologies, any single superluminal message can be
transmitted with probability arbitrarily close to one by the use of redundant
signals. However, the outcome probabilities of quantum measurements generally
depend on precisely which past {\it and future} measurements take place. As the
transmission of any signal relies on quantum measurements, its transmission
probability is similarly context-dependent. As a result, the standard
superluminal signalling paradoxes do not apply. Despite their unusual features,
the models are internally consistent.
These results illustrate an interesting conceptual point. The standard view
of Minkowski causality is not an absolutely indispensable part of the
mathematical formalism of relativistic quantum theory. It is contingent on the
empirical observation that naturally occurring ensembles can be naturally
pre-selected but not post-selected.Comment: 5 pages, RevTeX. Published version -- minor typos correcte
Heat-kernels and functional determinants on the generalized cone
We consider zeta functions and heat-kernel expansions on the bounded,
generalized cone in arbitrary dimensions using an improved calculational
technique. The specific case of a global monopole is analysed in detail and
some restrictions thereby placed on the coefficient. The computation
of functional determinants is also addressed. General formulas are given and
known results are incidentally, and rapidly, reproduced.Comment: 26p,LaTeX.(Cosmetic changes and eqns (9.8),(11.2) corrected.
Smeared heat-kernel coefficients on the ball and generalized cone
We consider smeared zeta functions and heat-kernel coefficients on the
bounded, generalized cone in arbitrary dimensions. The specific case of a ball
is analysed in detail and used to restrict the form of the heat-kernel
coefficients on smooth manifolds with boundary. Supplemented by conformal
transformation techniques, it is used to provide an effective scheme for the
calculation of the . As an application, the complete coefficient
is given.Comment: 23 pages, JyTe
Hyperspherical entanglement entropy
The coefficient of the log term in the entanglement entropy associated with
hyperspherical surfaces in flat space-time is shown to equal the conformal
anomaly by conformally transforming Euclideanised space--time to a sphere and
using already existing formulae for the relevant heat--kernel coefficients
after cyclic factoring. The analytical reason for the result is that the
conformal anomaly on the lune has an extremum at the ordinary sphere limit. A
proof is given. Agreement with a recent evaluation of the coefficient is found.Comment: 7 pages. Final revision. Historical comments amended. Minor remarks
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