173 research outputs found
Asymptotically Flat Radiating Solutions in Third Order Lovelock Gravity
In this paper, we present an exact spherically symmetric solution of third
order Lovelock gravity in dimensions which describes the gravitational
collapse of a null dust fluid. This solution is asymptotically (anti-)de Sitter
or flat depending on the choice of the cosmological constant. Using the
asymptotically flat solution for with a power-law form of the mass
as a function of the null coordinate, we present a model for a gravitational
collapse in which a null dust fluid radially injects into an initially flat and
empty region. It is found that a naked singularity is inevitably formed whose
strength is different for the and cases. In the case,
the limiting focusing condition for the strength of curvature singularity is
satisfied. But for , the strength of curvature singularity depends on
the rate of increase of mass of the spacetime. These considerations show that
the third order Lovelock term weakens the strength of the curvature
singularity.Comment: 15 pages, no figure, references added, two appendix adde
The Causal Interpretation of Dust and Radiation Fluids Non-Singular Quantum Cosmologies
We apply the causal interpretation of quantum mechanics to homogeneous and
isotropic quantum cosmology where the sources of the gravitational field are
either dust or radiation perfect fluids. We find non-singular quantum
trajectories which tends to the classical one when the scale factor becomes
much larger then the Planck length. In this situation, the quantum potential
becomes negligible. There are no horizons. As radiation is a good approximation
for the matter content of the early universe, this result suggests that the
universe can be eternal due to quantum effects.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, 5 figures in postscript, requires eps
Hagedorn transition and chronology protection in string theory
We conjecture chronology is protected in string theory due to the
condensation of light winding strings near closed null curves. This
condensation triggers a Hagedorn phase transition, whose end-point target space
geometry should be chronological. Contrary to conventional arguments,
chronology is protected by an infrared effect. We support this conjecture by
studying strings in the O-plane orbifold, where we show that some winding
string states are unstable and condense in the non-causal region of spacetime.
The one-loop string partition function has infrared divergences associated to
the condensation of these states.Comment: 40 pages, 11 figures. Expanded discussion on evolution of on-shell
modes and added appendi
A Quantum Cosmological Model With Static and Dynamic Wormholes
Quantization is performed of a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universe filled
with a conformally invariant scalar field and a perfect fluid with equation of
state . A well-known discrete set of static quantum wormholes is
shown to exist for radiation (), and a novel continuous set is
found for cosmic strings (), the latter states having throat
radii of any size. In both cases wave-packet solutions to the Wheeler-DeWitt
equation are obtained with all the properties of evolving quantum wormholes. In
the case of a radiation fluid, a detailed analysis of the quantum dynamics is
made in the context of the Bohm-de Broglie interpretation. It is shown that a
repulsive quantum force inversely proportional to the cube of the scale factor
prevents singularities in the quantum domain. For the states considered, there
are no particle horizons either.Comment: LaTex file, 13 pages. To appear in General Relativity and Gravitatio
Revisiting consistency conditions for quantum states of systems on closed timelike curves: an epistemic perspective
There has been considerable recent interest in the consequences of closed
timelike curves (CTCs) for the dynamics of quantum mechanical systems. A vast
majority of research into this area makes use of the dynamical equations
developed by Deutsch, which were developed from a consistency condition that
assumes that mixed quantum states uniquely describe the physical state of a
system. We criticise this choice of consistency condition from an epistemic
perspective, i.e., a perspective in which the quantum state represents a state
of knowledge about a system. We demonstrate that directly applying Deutsch's
condition when mixed states are treated as representing an observer's knowledge
of a system can conceal time travel paradoxes from the observer, rather than
resolving them. To shed further light on the appropriate dynamics for quantum
systems traversing CTCs, we make use of a toy epistemic theory with a strictly
classical ontology due to Spekkens and show that, in contrast to the results of
Deutsch, many of the traditional paradoxical effects of time travel are
present.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, comments welcome; v2 added references and
clarified some points; v3 published versio
Dilaton Quantum Cosmology with a Schrodinger-like equation
A quantum cosmological model with radiation and a dilaton scalar field is
analysed. The Wheeler-deWitt equation in the mini-superspace induces a
Schr\"odinger equation, which can be solved. An explicit wavepacket is
constructed for a particular choice of the ordering factor. A consistent
solution is possible only when the scalar field is a phantom field. Moreover,
although the wavepacket is time dependent, a Bohmian analysis allows to extract
a bouncing behaviour for the scale factor.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures in eps format. Minors corrections, new figure
Classical and Quantum Strings in compactified pp-waves and Godel type Universes
We consider Neveu-Schwarz pp-waves with spacetime supersymmetry. Upon
compactification of a spacelike direction, these backgrounds develop Closed
Null Curves (CNCs) and Closed Timelike Curves (CTCs), and are U-dual to
supersymmetric Godel type universes. We study classical and quantum strings in
this background, with emphasis on the strings winding around the compact
direction. We consider two types of strings: long strings stabilized by NS flux
and rotating strings which are stabilized against collapse by angular momentum.
Some of the latter strings wrap around CNCs and CTCs, and are thus a potential
source of pathology. We analyze the partition function, and in particular
discuss the effects of these string states. Although our results are not
conclusive, the partition function seems to be dramatically altered due to the
presence of CNCs and CTCs. We discuss some interpretations of our results,
including a possible sign of unitary violation.Comment: 42 pages, LaTeX, 2 figure
From wormhole to time machine: Comments on Hawking's Chronology Protection Conjecture
The recent interest in ``time machines'' has been largely fueled by the
apparent ease with which such systems may be formed in general relativity,
given relatively benign initial conditions such as the existence of traversable
wormholes or of infinite cosmic strings. This rather disturbing state of
affairs has led Hawking to formulate his Chronology Protection Conjecture,
whereby the formation of ``time machines'' is forbidden. This paper will use
several simple examples to argue that the universe appears to exhibit a
``defense in depth'' strategy in this regard. For appropriate parameter regimes
Casimir effects, wormhole disruption effects, and gravitational back reaction
effects all contribute to the fight against time travel. Particular attention
is paid to the role of the quantum gravity cutoff. For the class of model
problems considered it is shown that the gravitational back reaction becomes
large before the Planck scale quantum gravity cutoff is reached, thus
supporting Hawking's conjecture.Comment: 43 pages,ReV_TeX,major revision
A Research-Based Curriculum for Teaching the Photoelectric Effect
Physics faculty consider the photoelectric effect important, but many
erroneously believe it is easy for students to understand. We have developed
curriculum on this topic including an interactive computer simulation,
interactive lectures with peer instruction, and conceptual and mathematical
homework problems. Our curriculum addresses established student difficulties
and is designed to achieve two learning goals, for students to be able to (1)
correctly predict the results of photoelectric effect experiments, and (2)
describe how these results lead to the photon model of light. We designed two
exam questions to test these learning goals. Our instruction leads to better
student mastery of the first goal than either traditional instruction or
previous reformed instruction, with approximately 85% of students correctly
predicting the results of changes to the experimental conditions. On the
question designed to test the second goal, most students are able to correctly
state both the observations made in the photoelectric effect experiment and the
inferences that can be made from these observations, but are less successful in
drawing a clear logical connection between the observations and inferences.
This is likely a symptom of a more general lack of the reasoning skills to
logically draw inferences from observations.Comment: submitted to American Journal of Physic
The elusive memristor: properties of basic electrical circuits
We present a tutorial on the properties of the new ideal circuit element, a
memristor. By definition, a memristor M relates the charge q and the magnetic
flux in a circuit, and complements a resistor R, a capacitor C, and an
inductor L as an ingredient of ideal electrical circuits. The properties of
these three elements and their circuits are a part of the standard curricula.
The existence of the memristor as the fourth ideal circuit element was
predicted in 1971 based on symmetry arguments, but was clearly experimentally
demonstrated just this year. We present the properties of a single memristor,
memristors in series and parallel, as well as ideal memristor-capacitor (MC),
memristor-inductor (ML), and memristor-capacitor-inductor (MCL) circuits. We
find that the memristor has hysteretic current-voltage characteristics. We show
that the ideal MC (ML) circuit undergoes non-exponential charge (current) decay
with two time-scales, and that by switching the polarity of the capacitor, an
ideal MCL circuit can be tuned from overdamped to underdamped. We present
simple models which show that these unusual properties are closely related to
the memristor's internal dynamics. This tutorial complements the pedagogy of
ideal circuit elements (R,C, and L) and the properties of their circuits.Comment: 22 pages, 12 figures, substantial text revisio
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