15 research outputs found
Self-Protection of Massive Cosmological Gravitons
Relevant deformations of gravity present an exciting window of opportunity to
probe the rigidity of gravity on cosmological scales. For a single-graviton
theory, the leading relevant deformation constitutes a graviton mass term. In
this paper, we investigate the classical and quantum stability of massive
cosmological gravitons on generic Friedman backgrounds. For a Universe
expanding towards a de Sitter epoch, we find that massive cosmological
gravitons are self-protected against unitarity violations by a strong coupling
phenomenon.Comment: 1+11 pages, v2: references adde
Modeling of shared space with multi-modal traffic using a multi-layer social force approach
In the field of traffic road design, the shared space approach aims to develop roads from mere traffic infrastructures to public spaces, compelling higher interaction between road users. In this paper we develop the fundamentals for a micro-simulation tool based on the Social Force Model, to represent the motion of road users in such layouts. Working with the observed behavior of users in a pedestrian-friendly intersection in the city of Braunschweig (D), a multi-layer structured model is developed, in which each layer is designated to handle different situations, from free-flow movements to user interactions in crowded situations. Visibility graphs and clothoid estimations are used for designing trajectories of road users for the free flow movement. Furthermore, an enhancement of the classical Social Force Model is provided in order to model long-range collision avoidance behavior. Finally, the enhanced simulation framework is validated by two observed scenarios, which include various conflicts between pedestrians and cars.DFG/BE 2159/13-1DFG/FR 1670/13-
A multi-layer social force approach to model interactions in shared spaces using collision prediction
In shared space environments the movements of road users is not regulated by traffic rules, but is the result of spontaneous interaction between traffic users, who negotiate the priority according to social rules such as eye contact or courtesy behavior. However, appropriate micro simulation tools, which can reproduce the operation of shared spaces, are currently lacking. In this paper, a multi-layer approach for representing the movement of road users and their interaction, based on the Social Force Model, is developed. In a free-flow layer a realistic path is calculated for each user towards his destination, while a conflict layer is used for detecting possible conflict situations and computing an appropriate reaction. The novelty of this work in the field of shared space modeling is in the implementation of group dynamics and a SFM based approach for cyclists. The presented approach is qualitatively tested in different traffic situations involving cyclists, pedestrians and pedestrian groups, and shows realistic behavior. © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.DFG/BE 2159/13-1DFG/FR 1670/13-
Huygens' Principle for the Klein-Gordon equation in the de Sitter spacetime
In this article we prove that the Klein-Gordon equation in the de Sitter
spacetime obeys the Huygens' principle only if the physical mass of the
scalar field and the dimension of the spatial variable are tied by
the equation . Moreover, we define the incomplete Huygens'
principle, which is the Huygens' principle restricted to the vanishing second
initial datum, and then reveal that the massless scalar field in the de Sitter
spacetime obeys the incomplete Huygens' principle and does not obey the
Huygens' principle, for the dimensions , only. Thus, in the de Sitter
spacetime the existence of two different scalar fields (in fact, with m=0 and
), which obey incomplete Huygens' principle, is equivalent to
the condition (in fact, the spatial dimension of the physical world). For
these two values of the mass are the endpoints of the so-called in
quantum field theory the Higuchi bound. The value of the
physical mass allows us also to obtain complete asymptotic expansion of the
solution for the large time. Keywords: Huygens' Principle; Klein-Gordon
Equation; de Sitter spacetime; Higuchi Boun
The Self-Accelerating Universe with Vectors in Massive Gravity
We explore the possibility of realising self-accelerated expansion of the
Universe taking into account the vector components of a massive graviton. The
effective action in the decoupling limit contains an infinite number of terms,
once the vector degrees of freedom are included. These can be re-summed in
physically interesting situations, which result in non-polynomial couplings
between the scalar and vector modes. We show there are self-accelerating
background solutions for this effective action, with the possibility of having
a non-trivial profile for the vector fields. We then study fluctuations around
these solutions and show that there is always a ghost, if a background vector
field is present. When the background vector field is switched off, the ghost
can be avoided, at the price of entering into a strong coupling regime, in
which the vector fluctuations have vanishing kinetic terms. Finally we show
that the inclusion of a bare cosmological constant does not change the previous
conclusions and it does not lead to a ghost mode in the absence of a background
vector field.Comment: 23 pages, 2 figure