The Nature and Origin of Time-asymmetric Spacetime Structures

Time-asymmetric spacetime structures, in particular those representing black holes and the expansion of the universe, are intimately related to other arrows of time, such as the second law and the retardation of radiation. The nature of the quantum arrow, often attributed to a collapse of the wave function, is essential, in particular, for understanding the much discussed "black hole information loss paradox". However, this paradox assumes a new form and can possibly be avoided in a consistent causal treatment that may be able to avoid horizons and singularities. - A "master arrow", which combines all arrows of time, does not have to be identified with a direction of the formal time parameter that serves to formulate the dynamics as a succession of global states (a trajectory in configuration or Hilbert space). It may even change direction with respect to a fundamental physical clock such as the cosmic expansion parameter if this was formally extended either into a future contraction era or to negative "pre-big-bang" values.Comment: V2: Causal arguments regarding the information loss paradox are emphasized (Sect. 3); V3-V11: Comments and references added; V5: published; V6: "Note after publication" added; V11: 24 pages pdf, 3 figure