A Model of Two Dimensional Turbulence Using Random Matrix Theory

We derive a formula for the entropy of two dimensional incompressible inviscid flow, by determining the volume of the space of vorticity distributions with fixed values for the moments Q_k= \int_w(x)^k d^2 x. This space is approximated by a sequence of spaces of finite volume, by using a regularization of the system that is geometrically natural and connected with the theory of random matrices. In taking the limit we get a simple formula for the entropy of a vortex field. We predict vorticity distributions of maximum entropy with given mean vorticity and enstrophy; also we predict the cylindrically symmetric vortex field with maximum entropy. This could be an approximate description of a hurricane.Comment: latex, 12 pages, 2 figures, acknowledgement adde

The Vacuum Einstein Equations via Holonomy around Closed Loops on Characteristic Surfaces

We reformulate the standard local equations of general relativity for asymptotically flat spacetimes in terms of two non-local quantities, the holonomy $H$ around certain closed null loops on characteristic surfaces and the light cone cut function $Z$, which describes the intersection of the future null cones from arbitrary spacetime points, with future null infinity. We obtain a set of differential equations for $H$ and $Z$ equivalent to the vacuum Einstein equations. By finding an algebraic relation between $H$ and $Z$ this set of equations is reduced to just two coupled equations: an integro-differential equation for $Z$ which yields the conformal structure of the underlying spacetime and a linear differential equation for the ``vacuum'' conformal factor. These equations, which apply to all vacuum asymptotically flat spacetimes, are however lengthy and complicated and we do not yet know of any solution generating technique. They nevertheless are amenable to an attractive perturbative scheme which has Minkowski space as a zeroth order solution.Comment: 28 pages, RevTeX, 3 PostScript figure

Asymmetric Light Bending in the Equatorial Kerr Metric

The observation of the bending of light by mass, now known as gravitational lensing, was key in establishing general relativity as one of the pillars of modern physics. In the past couple of decades, there has been increasing interest in using gravitational lensing to test general relativity beyond the weak deflection limit. Black holes and neutron stars produce the strong gravitational fields needed for such tests. For a rotating compact object, the distinction between prograde and retrograde photon trajectories becomes important. In this paper, we explore subtleties that arise in interpreting the bending angle in this context and address the origin of seemingly contradictory results in the literature. We argue that analogies that cannot be precisely quantified present a source of confusion