arXiv subjects

A. Mikovic

Publications and source records attributed to A. Mikovic.

44 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv1993

Non-Perturbative Two-Dimensional Dilaton Gravity

We present a review of the canonical quantization approach to the problem of non-perturbative 2d dilaton gravity. In the case of chiral matter we describe a method for solving the constraints by constructing a Kac-Moody current algebra. For the models of interest, the relevant Kac-Moody algebras are based on SL(2,R) X U(1) group and on an extended 2d Poincare group. As a consequence, the constraints become free-field Virasoro generators with background charges. We argue that the same happens in the non-chiral case. The problem of the corresponding BRST cohomology is discussed as well as the unitarity of the theory. One can show that the theory is unitary by chosing a physical gauge, and hence the problem of transitions from pure into mixed sates is absent. Implications for the physics of black holes are discussed. (Based on the talks presented at Trieste conference on Gauge Theories, Applied Supersymmetry and Quantum Gravity, May 1993 and at Danube '93 Workshop, Belgrade, Yugoslavia, June 1993)

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arXiv1993

Symplectic Structure of 2D Dilaton Gravity

We analyze the symplectic structure of two-dimensional dilaton gravity by evaluating the symplectic form on the space of classical solutions. The case when the spatial manifold is compact is studied in detail. When the matter is absent we find that the reduced phase space is a two-dimensional cotangent bundle and determine the Hilbert space of the quantum theory. In the non-compact case the symplectic form is not well defined due to an unresolved ambiguity in the choice of the boundary terms.

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arXiv1993

Canonical quantization approach to 2d gravity coupled to c<1 matter

We show that all important features of 2d gravity coupled to $c<1$ matter can be easily understood from the canonical quantization approach a la Dirac. Furthermore, we construct a canonical transformation which maps the theory into a free-field form, i.e. the constraints become free-field Virasoro generators with background charges. This implies the gauge independence of the David-Distler-Kawai results, and also proves the free-field assumption which was used for obtaining the spectrum of the theory in the conformal gauge. A discussion of the unitarity of the physical spectrum is presented and we point out that the scalar products of the discrete states are not well defined in the standard Fock space framework.

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arXiv1992

Two-dimensional dilaton gravity in a unitary gauge

Reduced phase space formulation of CGHS model of 2d dilaton gravity is studied in en extrinsic time gauge. The corresponding Hamiltonian can be promoted into a Hermitian operator acting in the physical Hilbert space, implying a unitary evolution for the system. Consequences for the black hole physics are discussed. In particular, this manifestly unitary theory rules out the Hawking scenario for the endpoint of the black hole evaporation process.

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arXiv1992

Exactly Solvable Models of 2d Dilaton Quantum Gravity

We study canonical quantization of a class of 2d dilaton gravity models, which contains the model proposed by Callan, Giddings, Harvey and Strominger. A set of non-canonical phase space variables is found, forming an $SL(2,{\bf R}) \times U(1)$ current algebra, such that the constraints become quadratic in these new variables. In the case when the spatial manifold is compact, the corresponding quantum theory can be solved exactly, since it reduces to a problem of finding the cohomology of a free-field Virasoro algebra. In the non-compact case, which is relevant for 2d black holes, this construction is likely to break down, since the most general field configuration cannot be expanded into Fourier modes. Strategy for circumventing this problem is discussed.

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arXiv1992

Ashtekar Formulation of 2+1 Gravity on a Torus

Pure (2+1)-dimensional Einstein gravity is analysed in the Ashtekar formulation, when the spatial manifold is a torus. We have found a set of globally defined observables, forming a closed algebra. This allowed us to solve the quantum constraints, and to show that the reduced phase space of the Ashtekar formulation is greater then the corresponding space of the Witten formulation. Furthermore, we have found a globally defined time variable which satisfies all the requiriments of an extrinsic time variable in quantum gravity.

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arXiv1992

Canonical Quantization of 2d Gravity Coupled to c<1 Matter

We study 2d gravity coupled to $c,1$ matter through canonical quantization of a free scalar field, with background charge, coupled to gravity. Various features of the theory can be more easily understood in the canonical approach, like gauge indipendence of the path-integral results and the absence of the local physical degrees of freedom. By performing a non-canonical transformation of the phase space variables, we show that the theory takes a free-field form, i.e. the constraints become the free-field Virasoro constraints. This implies that the David-Distler-Kawai results can be derived in the gauge indipendent way, and also proves the free-field assumption which was used for obtaining the spectrum of the theory in the conformal gauge. A discussion of the physical spectrum of the theory is presented, with an analysis of the unitarity of the discrete momentum states.

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arXiv1991

Hamiltonian construction of W-gravity actions

We show that all W-gravity actions can be easilly constructed and understood from the point of view of the Hamiltonian formalism for the constrained systems. This formalism also gives a method of constructing gauge invariant actions for arbitrary conformally extended algebras.

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