arXiv subjects

A. Macias

Publications and source records attributed to A. Macias.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2009

Space--time fluctuations and the spreading of wavepackets

Using a density matrix description in space we study the evolution of wavepackets in a fluctuating space-time background. We assume that space-time fluctuations manifest as classical fluctuations of the metric. From the non-relativistic limit of a non-minimally coupled Klein-Gordon equation we derive a Schrödinger equation with an additive gaussian random potential. This is transformed into an effective master equation for the density matrix. The solutions of this master equation allow to study the dynamics of wavepackets in a fluctuating space-time, depending on the fluctuation scenario. We show how different scenarios alter the diffusion properties of wavepackets.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Limits to differences in active and passive charges

We explore consequences of a hypothetical difference between active charges, which generate electric fields, and passive charges, which respond to them. A confrontation to experiments using atoms, molecules, or macroscopic matter yields limits on their fractional difference at levels down to 10^-21, which at the same time corresponds to an experimental confirmation of Newtons third law.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2007

Thermodynamics of a photon gas and deformed dispersion relations

We resort to the methods of statistical mechanics in order to determine the effects that a deformed dispersion relation has upon the thermodynamics of a photon gas. The ensuing modifications to the density of states, partition function, pressure, internal energy, entropy, and specific heat are calculated. It will be shown that the breakdown of Lorentz invariance can be interpreted as a repulsive interaction, among the photons. Additionally, it will be proved that the presence of a deformed dispersion relation entails an increase in the entropy of the system. In other words, as a consequence of the loss of the aforementioned symmetry the number of microstates available to the corresponding equilibrium state grows.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2006

Deformed dispersion relations and the degree of coherence function

The analysis of the modifications that the presence of a deformed dispersion relation entails in the roots of the so--called degree of coherence function, for a beam embodying two different frequencies and moving in a Michelson interferometer, is carried out. The conditions to be satisfied, in order to detect this kind of quantum gravity effect, are also obtained.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2005

The Search for Quantum Gravity Signals

We give an overview of ongoing searches for effects motivated by the study of the quantum-gravity problem. We describe in greater detail approaches which have not been covered in recent ``Quantum Gravity Phenomenology'' reviews. In particular, we outline a new framework for describing Lorentz invariance violation in the Maxwell sector. We also discuss the general strategy on the experimental side as well as on the theoretical side for a search for quantum gravity effects. The role of test theories, kinematical and dymamical, in this general context is emphasized. The present status of controlled laboratory experiments is described, and we also summarize some key results obtained on the basis of astrophysical observations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2004

The Cotton tensor in Riemannian spacetimes

Recently, the study of three-dimensional spaces is becoming of great interest. In these dimensions the Cotton tensor is prominent as the substitute for the Weyl tensor. It is conformally invariant and its vanishing is equivalent to conformal flatness. However, the Cotton tensor arises in the context of the Bianchi identities and is present in any dimension. We present a systematic derivation of the Cotton tensor. We perform its irreducible decomposition and determine its number of independent components for the first time. Subsequently, we exhibit its characteristic properties and perform a classification of the Cotton tensor in three dimensions. We investigate some solutions of Einstein's field equations in three dimensions and of the topologically massive gravity model of Deser, Jackiw, and Templeton. For each class examples are given. Finally we investigate the relation between the Cotton tensor and the energy-momentum in Einstein's theory and derive a conformally flat perfect fluid solution of Einstein's field equations in three dimensions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2003

Generating Gowdy cosmological models

Using the analogy with stationary axisymmetric solutions, we present a method to generate new analytic cosmological solutions of Einstein's equation belonging to the class of $T^3$ Gowdy cosmological models. We show that the solutions can be generated from their data at the initial singularity and present the formal general solution for arbitrary initial data. We exemplify the method by constructing the Kantowski-Sachs cosmological model and a generalization of it that corresponds to an unpolarized $T^3$ Gowdy model.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1998

Plebański-Demiański-like solutions in metric-affine gravity

We consider a (non--Riemannian) metric--affine gravity theory, in particular its nonmetricity--torsion sector ``isomorphic'' to the Einstein--Maxwell theory. We map certain Einstein--Maxwell electrovacuum solutions to it, namely the Plebański--Demiański class of Petrov type D metrics.

gr-qc↗