A fully (3+1)-D Regge calculus model of the Kasner cosmology

We describe the first discrete-time 4-dimensional numerical application of Regge calculus. The spacetime is represented as a complex of 4-dimensional simplices, and the geometry interior to each 4-simplex is flat Minkowski spacetime. This simplicial spacetime is constructed so as to be foliated with a one parameter family of spacelike hypersurfaces built of tetrahedra. We implement a novel two-surface initial-data prescription for Regge calculus, and provide the first fully 4-dimensional application of an implicit decoupled evolution scheme (the ``Sorkin evolution scheme''). We benchmark this code on the Kasner cosmology --- a cosmology which embodies generic features of the collapse of many cosmological models. We (1) reproduce the continuum solution with a fractional error in the 3-volume of 10^{-5} after 10000 evolution steps, (2) demonstrate stable evolution, (3) preserve the standard deviation of spatial homogeneity to less than 10^{-10} and (4) explicitly display the existence of diffeomorphism freedom in Regge calculus. We also present the second-order convergence properties of the solution to the continuum.Comment: 22 pages, 5 eps figures, LaTeX. Updated and expanded versio

Apparent horizons in simplicial Brill wave initial data

We construct initial data for a particular class of Brill wave metrics using Regge calculus, and compare the results to a corresponding continuum solution, finding excellent agreement. We then search for trapped surfaces in both sets of initial data, and provide an independent verification of the existence of an apparent horizon once a critical gravitational wave amplitude is passed. Our estimate of this critical value, using both the Regge and continuum solutions, supports other recent findings.Comment: 7 pages, 6 EPS figures, LaTeX 2e. Submitted to Class. Quant. Gra

Constraints in Quantum Geometrodynamics

We compare different treatments of the constraints in canonical quantum gravity. The standard approach on the superspace of 3--geometries treats the constraints as the sole carriers of the dynamic content of the theory, thus rendering the traditional dynamical equations obsolete. Quantization of the constraints in both the Dirac and ADM square root Hamiltonian approaches leads to the well known problems of time evolution. These problems of time are of both an interpretational and technical nature. In contrast, the geometrodynamic quantization procedure on the superspace of the true dynamical variables separates the issues of quantization from the enforcement of the constraints. The resulting theory takes into account states that are off-shell with respect to the constraints, and thus avoids the problems of time. We develop, for the first time, the geometrodynamic quantization formalism in a general setting and show that it retains all essential features previously illustrated in the context of homogeneous cosmologies.Comment: 36 pages, no figures, submitted to IJMPA, Rewording, Fixed Typo

Coupling Non-Gravitational Fields with Simplicial Spacetimes

The inclusion of source terms in discrete gravity is a long-standing problem. Providing a consistent coupling of source to the lattice in Regge Calculus (RC) yields a robust unstructured spacetime mesh applicable to both numerical relativity and quantum gravity. RC provides a particularly insightful approach to this problem with its purely geometric representation of spacetime. The simplicial building blocks of RC enable us to represent all matter and fields in a coordinate-free manner. We provide an interpretation of RC as a discrete exterior calculus framework into which non-gravitational fields naturally couple with the simplicial lattice. Using this approach we obtain a consistent mapping of the continuum action for non-gravitational fields to the Regge lattice. In this paper we apply this framework to scalar, vector and tensor fields. In particular we reconstruct the lattice action for (1) the scalar field, (2) Maxwell field tensor and (3) Dirac particles. The straightforward application of our discretization techniques to these three fields demonstrates a universal implementation of coupling source to the lattice in Regge calculus.Comment: 10 pages, no figures, Latex, fixed typos and minor corrections

The constraints as evolution equations for numerical relativity

The Einstein equations have proven surprisingly difficult to solve numerically. A standard diagnostic of the problems which plague the field is the failure of computational schemes to satisfy the constraints, which are known to be mathematically conserved by the evolution equations. We describe a new approach to rewriting the constraints as first-order evolution equations, thereby guaranteeing that they are satisfied to a chosen accuracy by any discretization scheme. This introduces a set of four subsidiary constraints which are far simpler than the standard constraint equations, and which should be more easily conserved in computational applications. We explore the manner in which the momentum constraints are already incorporated in several existing formulations of the Einstein equations, and demonstrate the ease with which our new constraint-conserving approach can be incorporated into these schemes.Comment: 10 pages, updated to match published versio

(Broken) Gauge Symmetries and Constraints in Regge Calculus

We will examine the issue of diffeomorphism symmetry in simplicial models of (quantum) gravity, in particular for Regge calculus. We find that for a solution with curvature there do not exist exact gauge symmetries on the discrete level. Furthermore we derive a canonical formulation that exactly matches the dynamics and hence symmetries of the covariant picture. In this canonical formulation broken symmetries lead to the replacements of constraints by so--called pseudo constraints. These considerations should be taken into account in attempts to connect spin foam models, based on the Regge action, with canonical loop quantum gravity, which aims at implementing proper constraints. We will argue that the long standing problem of finding a consistent constraint algebra for discretized gravity theories is equivalent to the problem of finding an action with exact diffeomorphism symmetries. Finally we will analyze different limits in which the pseudo constraints might turn into proper constraints. This could be helpful to infer alternative discretization schemes in which the symmetries are not broken.Comment: 32 pages, 15 figure

Is the Regge Calculus a consistent approximation to General Relativity?

We will ask the question of whether or not the Regge calculus (and two related simplicial formulations) is a consistent approximation to General Relativity. Our criteria will be based on the behaviour of residual errors in the discrete equations when evaluated on solutions of the Einstein equations. We will show that for generic simplicial lattices the residual errors can not be used to distinguish metrics which are solutions of Einstein's equations from those that are not. We will conclude that either the Regge calculus is an inconsistent approximation to General Relativity or that it is incorrect to use residual errors in the discrete equations as a criteria to judge the discrete equations.Comment: 27 pages, plain TeX, very belated update to match journal articl

Geodesic Deviation in Regge Calculus

Geodesic deviation is the most basic manifestation of the influence of gravitational fields on matter. We investigate geodesic deviation within the framework of Regge calculus, and compare the results with the continuous formulation of general relativity on two different levels. We show that the continuum and simplicial descriptions coincide when the cumulative effect of the Regge contributions over an infinitesimal element of area is considered. This comparison provides a quantitative relation between the curvature of the continuous description and the deficit angles of Regge calculus. The results presented might also be of help in developing generic ways of including matter terms in the Regge equations.Comment: 9 pages. Latex 2e with 5 EPS figures. Submitted to CQ

The Simplicial Ricci Tensor

The Ricci tensor (Ric) is fundamental to Einstein's geometric theory of gravitation. The 3-dimensional Ric of a spacelike surface vanishes at the moment of time symmetry for vacuum spacetimes. The 4-dimensional Ric is the Einstein tensor for such spacetimes. More recently the Ric was used by Hamilton to define a non-linear, diffusive Ricci flow (RF) that was fundamental to Perelman's proof of the Poincare conjecture. Analytic applications of RF can be found in many fields including general relativity and mathematics. Numerically it has been applied broadly to communication networks, medical physics, computer design and more. In this paper, we use Regge calculus (RC) to provide the first geometric discretization of the Ric. This result is fundamental for higher-dimensional generalizations of discrete RF. We construct this tensor on both the simplicial lattice and its dual and prove their equivalence. We show that the Ric is an edge-based weighted average of deficit divided by an edge-based weighted average of dual area -- an expression similar to the vertex-based weighted average of the scalar curvature reported recently. We use this Ric in a third and independent geometric derivation of the RC Einstein tensor in arbitrary dimension.Comment: 19 pages, 2 figure