arXiv subjects

A. Ibort

Publications and source records attributed to A. Ibort.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

On the classification of Jacobi curves and their conformal curvatures

This paper describes the theory of Jacobi curves, a far reaching extension of the spaces of Jacobi fields along Riemannian geodesics, developed by Agrachev and Zelenko. Jacobi curves are curves in the Lagrangian Grassmannian of a symplectic space satisfying appropriate regularity conditions. It is shown that they are fully characterised in terms of a family of conformal symplectic invariant curvatures. In addition to a new derivation of the Ricci curvature tensor of a Jacobi curve, a Cartan-like theory of Jacobi curves is presented that allows to associate to any admissible Jacobi curve a reduced normal Cartan matrix. A reconstruction theorem proving that an admissible Jacobi curve is characterised, up to conformal symplectic transformations, by a reduced normal Cartan matrix and a geometric parametrization is obtained. The theory of cycles is studied proving that they correspond to flat Jacobi curves.

math.DG↗

arXiv2024

A Lagrangian path integral approach to the qubit

A Lagrangian description of the qubit based on a generalization of Schwinger's picture of Quantum Mechanics using the notion of groupoids is presented. In this formalism a Feynman-like computation of its probability amplitudes is done. The Lagrangian is interpreted as a function on the groupoid describing the quantum system. Such Lagrangian determines a self-adjoint element on its associated algebra. Feynman's paths are replaced by histories on the groupoid which form themselves a groupoid. A simple method to compute the sum over all histories is discussed. The unitarity of the propagator obtained in this way imposes quantization conditions on the Lagrangian of the theory. Some particular instances of them are discussed in detail.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

L-extensions and L-boundary of conformal spacetimes

The notion of L-boundary, a new causal boundary proposed by R. Low based on constructing a `sky at infinity' for any light ray, is discussed in detail. The analysis of the notion of L-boundary will be done in the 3-dimensional situation for the ease of presentation. The proposed notion of causal boundary is intrinsically conformal and, as it will be proved in the paper, under natural conditions provides a natural extension $\bar{M}$ of the given spacetime $M$ with smooth boundary $\partial M = \bar{M} \backslash M$. The extensions $\bar{M}$ of any conformal manifold $M$ constructed in this way are characterised exclusively in terms of local properties at the boundary points. Such extensions are called L-extensions and it is proved that, if they exist, they are essentially unique. Finally it is shown that in the 3-dimensional case, any L-extension is equivalent to the canonical extension obtained by using the L-boundary of the manifold.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

A conformal boundary for space-times based on light-like geodesics: the 3-dimensional case

A new causal boundary, which we will term the $l$-boundary, inspired by the geometry of the space of light rays and invariant by conformal diffeomorphisms for space-times of any dimension $m\geq 3$, proposed by one of the authors (R.J. Low, The space of null geodesics (and a new causal boundary), Lecture Notes in Physics, 692, Springer, 2006, 35--50) is analyzed in detail for space-times of dimension 3. Under some natural assumptions it is shown that the completed space-time becomes a smooth manifold with boundary and its relation with Geroch-Kronheimer-Penrose causal boundary is discussed. A number of examples illustrating the properties of this new causal boundary as well as a discussion on the obtained results will be provided.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

The space of light rays: Causality and $L$-boundary

The space of light rays $\mathcal{N}$ of a conformal Lorentz manifold $(M,\mathcal{C})$ is, under some topological conditions, a manifold whose basic elements are unparametrized null geodesics. This manifold $\mathcal{N}$, strongly inspired on R. Penrose's twistor theory, keeps all information of $M$ and it could be used as a space complementing the spacetime model. In the present review, the geometry and related structures of $\mathcal{N}$, such as the space of skies $Σ$ and the contact structure $\mathcal{H}$, are introduced. The causal structure of $M$ is characterized as part of the geometry of $\mathcal{N}$. A new causal boundary for spacetimes $M$ prompted by R. Low, the $L$-boundary, is constructed in the case of $3$-dimensional manifolds $M$ and proposed as a model of its construction for general dimension. Its definition only depends on the geometry of $\mathcal{N}$ and not on the geometry of the spacetime $M$. The properties satisfied by the $L$-boundary $\partial M$ permit to characterize the obtained extension $\overline{M}=M\cup \partial M$ and this characterization is also proposed for general dimension.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

The sky invariant: A new conformal invariant for Schwarzschild spacetime

A new class of conformal invariants for a given spacetime $M$ is introduced exploiting the conformal geometry of any light ray $Γ$. Each congruence of light rays passing through a given point $p$ defines the sky $S(p)$ of such point. The new conformal invariants are defined on the bundle of skies of the spacetime $M$, being called sky invariants accordingly. The natural conformal covariant derivative defined on a light ray and its associated covariant calculus allows us show the existence of a natural conformal invariant differential of arc that, together with the restriction of the curvature of the conformal covariant derivative, can be used to construct a sky invariant that will be called the sky curvature. An algorithm, that can be implemented on any symbolic manipulation software system, to compute the sky curvature will be discussed and the main ideas and the explicit computation of the sky curvature are illustrated in Schwarzschild spacetime.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

The quantum-to-classical transition: contraction of associative products

The quantum-to-classical transition is considered from the point of view of contractions of associative algebras. Various methods and ideas to deal with contractions of associative algebras are discussed that account for a large family of examples. As an instance of them, the commutative algebra of functions in phase space, corresponding to classical physical observables, is obtained as a contraction of the Moyal star-product which characterizes the quantum case. Contractions of associative algebras associated to Lie algebras are discussed, in particular the Weyl-Heisenberg and $SU(2)$ groups are considered.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2015

Covariant Hamiltonian first order field theories with constraints on manifolds with boundary: the case of Hamiltonian dynamics

Inspired by problems arising in the geometrical treatment of Yang-Mills theories and Palatini's gravity, the covariant formulation of Hamiltonian dynamical systems as a Hamiltonian field theory of dimension $1+0$ on a manifold with boundary is discussed. After a precise statement of Hamilton's variational principle in this context, the geometrical properties of the space of solutions of the Euler-Lagrange equations of the theory are analyzed. A sufficient condition is obtained that guarantees that the set of solutions of the Euler-Lagrange equations at the boundary of the manifold, fill a Lagrangian submanifold of the space of fields at the boundary. Finally a theory of constraints is introduced that mimics the constraints arising in Palatini's gravity.

math-ph↗

arXiv2015

Quantum Tomography twenty years later

A sample of some relevant developments that have taken place during the last twenty years in classical and quantum tomography are displayed. We will present a general conceptual framework that provides a simple unifying mathematical picture for all of them and, as an effective use of it, three subjects have been chosen that offer a wide panorama of the scope of classical and quantum tomography: tomography along lines and submanifolds, coherent state tomography and tomography in the abstract algebraic setting of quantum systems.

math-ph↗

arXiv2015

The Topology and Geometry of self-adjoint and elliptic boundary conditions for Dirac and Laplace operators

The theory of self-adjoint extensions of first and second order elliptic differential operators on manifolds with boundary is studied via its most representative instances: Dirac and Laplace operators. The theory is developed by exploiting the geometrical structures attached to them and, by using an adapted Cayley transform on each case, the space $\mathcal{M}$ of such extensions is shown to have a canonical group composition law structure. The obtained results are compared with von Neumann's Theorem characterising the self-adjoint extensions of densely defined symmetric operators on Hilbert spaces. The 1D case is thoroughly investigated. The geometry of the submanifold of elliptic self-adjoint extensions $\mathcal{M}_\mathrm{ellip}$ is studied and it is shown that it is a Lagrangian submanifold of the universal Grassmannian $\mathbf{Gr}$. The topology of $\mathcal{M}_\mathrm{ellip}$ is also explored and it is shown that there is a canonical cycle whose dual is the Maslov class of the manifold. Such cycle, called the Cayley surface, plays a relevant role in the study of the phenomena of topology change. Self-adjoint extensions of Laplace operators are discussed in the path integral formalism, identifying a class of them for which both treatments leads to the same results. A theory of dissipative quantum systems is proposed based on this theory and a unitarization theorem for such class of dissipative systems is proved. The theory of self-adjoint extensions with symmetry of Dirac operators is also discussed and a reduction theorem for the self-adjoint elliptic Grasmmannian is obtained. Finally, an interpretation of spontaneous symmetry breaking is offered from the point of view of the theory of self-adjoint extensions.

math-ph↗

arXiv2015

Towards a quantum sampling theory: the case of finite groups

Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem, instrumental in classical telecommunication technologies, is extended to quantum systems supporting a unitary representation of a finite group $G$. Two main ideas from the classical theory having natural counterparts in the quantum setting: frames and invariant subspaces, provide the mathematical background for the theory. The main ingredients of classical sampling theorems are discussed and their quantum counterparts are thoroughly analyzed in this simple situation. A few examples illustrating the obtained results are discussed.

math-ph↗

arXiv2015

Optimal control of two coupled spinning particles in the Euler-Lagrange picture

A family of optimal control problems for a single and two coupled spinning particles in the Euler-Lagrange formalism is discussed. A characteristic of such problems is that the equations controlling the system are implicit and a reduction procedure to deal with them must be carried on. The reduction of the implicit control equations arising in these problems will be discussed in the slightly more general setting of implicit equations defined by invariant one-forms on Lie groups. As an instance, the first order differential equations describing the extremal solutions of an optimal control problem for a single spinning particle, obtained by using Pontryagin's Maximum Principle (PMP), will be found and shown to be completely integrable. Then, using again PMP, solutions for the problem of two coupled spinning particles will be characterised as solutions of a system of coupled non-linear matrix differential equations. The reduction of the implicit system will show that the reduced space for them is the product of the space of states for the independent systems, implying the absence of `entanglement' in this instance. Finally it will be shown that, in the case of identical systems, the degree three matrix polynomial differential equations determined by the optimal feedback law, constitute a completely integrable Hamiltonian system and some of its solutions are described explicitly.

math.OC↗

arXiv2015

On the theory of self-adjoint extensions of symmetric operators and its applications to Quantum Physics

This is a series of 5 lectures around the common subject of the construction of self-adjoint extensions of symmetric operators and its applications to Quantum Physics. We will try to offer a brief account of some recent ideas in the theory of self-adjoint extensions of symmetric operators on Hilbert spaces and their applications to a few specific problems in Quantum Mechanics.

math-ph↗

arXiv2015

Nilpotent integrability, reduction of dynamical systems and a third-order Calogero-Moser system

We present an algebraic formulation of the notion of integrability of dynamical systems, based on a nilpotency property of its flow: it can be explicitly described as a polynomial on its evolution parameter. Such a property is established in a purely geometric--algebraic language, in terms both of the algebra of all higher-order constants of the motion (named the nilpotent algebra of the dynamics), and of a maximal Abelian algebra of symmetries (called a Cartan subalgebra of the dynamics). It is shown that this notion of integrability amounts to the annihilator of the nilpotent algebra being contained in a Cartan subalgebra of the dynamics. Systems exhibiting this property will be said to be nilpotent integrable. Our notion of nilpotent integrability offers a new insight into the intrinsic dynamical properties of a system, which is independent of any auxiliary geometric structure defined on its phase space. At the same time, it extends in a natural way the classical concept of complete integrability for Hamiltonian systems. An algebraic reduction procedure valid for nilpotent integrable systems, generalizing the well-known reduction procedures for symplectic and/or Poisson systems on appropriate quotient spaces, is also discussed. In particular, it is shown that a large class of nilpotent integrable systems can be obtained by reduction of higher-order free systems. The case of the third-order free system is analyzed and a nontrivial set of third-order Calogero-Moser-like nilpotent integrable equations is obtained.

math-ph↗

arXiv2015

Boundary dynamics and topology change in quantum mechanics

We show how to use boundary conditions to drive the evolution on a Quantum Mechanical system. We will see how this problem can be expressed in terms of a time-dependent Schrödinger equation. In particular we will need the theory of self-adjoint extensions of differential operators in manifolds with boundary. An introduction of the latter as well as meaningful examples will be given. It is known that different boundary conditions can be used to describe different topologies of the associated quantum systems. We will use the previous results to study how this topology change can be accomplished in a dynamical way.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Causality and skies: is non-refocussing necessary?

It is shown that if $M$ is a strongly causal free of naked singularities space-time, then its causal structure is completely characterized by a partial order in the space of skies defined by means of a class non-negative Legendrian isotopies. It is also proved that such partial order is determined by the class of future causal celestial curves, that is, curves in the space of light rays which are tangent to skies and such that they determine non-negative sky-Legendrian isotopies. It will also be proved that the space of skies $Σ$ equipped with Low's (or reconstructive) topology is homeomorphic and diffeomorphic to $M$ under the only additional assumption that $M$ separates skies, that is, that different points determine different skies. The sky-separating property of $M$ being weaker than the "non-refocussing" property encountered in the previous literature is sharp and the previous result provides the answer to the question of what is the class of space-times whose causal structure, topology and differentiable structure can be reconstructed from their spaces of light rays and skies. Finally, the previous results allow a formulation of Malament-Hawking theorem in terms of the partial order defined on the space of skies.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Boundary Dynamics Driven Entanglement

We will show how it is possible to generate entangled states out of unentangled ones on a bipartite system by means of dynamical boundary conditions. The auxiliary system is defined by a symmetric but not self-adjoint Hamiltonian and the space of self-adjoint extensions of the bipartite system is studied. It is shown that only a small set of them leads to separable dynamics and they are characterized. Various simple examples illustrating this phenomenon are discussed, in particular we will analyze the hybrid system consisting on a planar quantum rotor and a spin system under a wide class of boundary conditions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

On the space of light rays of a space-time and a reconstruction theorem by Low

A reconstruction theorem in terms of the topology and geometrical structures on the spaces of light rays and skies of a given space-time is discussed. This result can be seen as part of Penrose and Low's programme intending to describe the causal structure of a space-time $M$ in terms of the topological and geometrical properties of the space of light rays, i.e., unparametrized time-oriented null geodesics, $\mathcal{N}$. In the analysis of the reconstruction problem it becomes instrumental the structure of the space of skies, i.e., of congruences of light rays. It will be shown that the space of skies $Σ$ of a strongly causal skies distinguishing space-time $M$ carries a canonical differentiable structure diffeomorphic to the original manifold $M$. Celestial curves, this is, curves in $\mathcal{N}$ which are everywhere tangent to skies, play a fundamental role in the analysis of the geometry of the space of light rays. It will be shown that a celestial curve is induced by a past causal curve of events iff the legendrian isotopy defined by it is non-negative. This result extends in a nontrivial way some recent results by Chernov \emph{et al} on Low's Legendrian conjecture. Finally, it will be shown that a celestial causal map between the space of light rays of two strongly causal spaces (provided that the target space is null non-conjugate) is necessarily induced from a conformal immersion and conversely. These results make explicit the fundamental role played by the collection of skies, a collection of legendrian spheres with respect to the canonical contact structure on $\mathcal{N}$, in characterizing the causal structure of space-times.

math-ph↗