arXiv subjects

Alan A. Coley

Publications and source records attributed to Alan A. Coley.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

On black holes in teleparallel torsion theories of gravity

We first present an overview of the Schwarzschild vacuum spacetime within general relativity, with particular emphasis on the role of scalar polynomial invariants and the null frame approach (and the related Cartan invariants), that justifies the conventional interpretation of the Schwarzschild geometry as a black hole spacetime admitting a horizon (at $r=2M$ in Schwarzschild coordinates) shielding a singular point at the origin. We then consider static spherical symmetric vacuum teleparallel spacetimes in which the torsion characterizes the geometry, and the scalar invariants of interest are those constructed from the torsion and its (covariant) derivatives. We investigate the Schwarzschild-like spacetime in the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity and find that the torsion scalar invariants (and, in particular, the scalar $T$) diverge at the putative ``Schwarzschild'' horizon. In this sense the resulting spacetime is {\em not} a black hole spacetime. We then briefly consider the Kerr-like solution in the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity and obtain a similar result. Finally, we investigate static spherically symmetric vacuum spacetimes within the more general $F(T)$ teleparallel gravity and show that if a such a geometry admits a horizon, then the torsion scalar $T$ necessarily diverges there; consequently in this sense such a geometry also does {\em not} represent a black hole.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Symmetries in Riemann-Cartan Geometries

Riemann-Cartan geometries are geometries that admit non-zero curvature and torsion tensors. These geometries have been investigated as geometric frameworks for potential theories in physics including quantum gravity theories and have many important differences when compared to Riemannian geometries. One notable difference, is the number of symmetries for a Riemann-Cartan geometry is potentially smaller than the number of Killing vector fields for the metric. In this paper, we will review the investigation of symmetries in Riemann-Cartan geometries and the mathematical tools used to determine geometries that admit a given group of symmetries. As an illustration, we present new results by determining all static spherically symmetric and all stationary spherically symmetric Riemann-Cartan geometries. Furthermore, we have determined the subclasses of spherically symmetric Riemann-Cartan geometries that admit a seven-dimensional group of symmetries.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

The Definition of a Photon Surface in an Invariant Spin Frame

This paper defines the photon surface conditions using Cartan scalars within an invariant spin frame, offering a comprehensive description of the local spacetime geometry. By employing this approach, we gain novel insights into the geometry and dynamics of photon surfaces, independent of the global spacetime structure. We first discuss the photon surface conditions in a Petrov type-D spacetime manifold, and then we simplify those conditions assuming the existence of spherical symmetry. Finally, employing the simplified, spherically symmetric photon surface conditions, we explore the dynamics of photon surfaces in static, collapsing Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi (LTB) spacetimes, and Vaidya spacetimes. Notably, we show that photon surfaces can emerge from the central singularity during the collapse of an inhomogeneous dust cloud modeled by a LTB spacetime. This underscores the significance of our findings in comprehending the potential observational implications of the physics near the ultra-high gravity region.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Teleparallel Robertson-Walker geometries and applications

In teleparallel geometries the coframe and corresponding spin-connection are the principal geometric objects and consequently the appropriate definition of a symmetry is that of an affine symmetry. The set of invariant coframes and their corresponding spin connections that respect the full six dimensional Lie algebra of Robertson-Walker affine symmetries are displayed and discussed. We will refer to such geometries as teleparallel Robertson-Walker (TRW) geometries, where the corresponding derived metric is of Robertson-Walker form and is characterized by the parameter $k = (-1,0,1)$. The field equations are explicitly presented for the $F(T)$ class of teleparallel TRW spacetimes. We are primarily interested in investigating the $k \neq 0$ TRW models. After first studying the $k=0$ models and, in particular, writing their governing field equations in an appropriate form, we then study their late time stability with respect to perturbations in $k$ in both the cases of a vanishing and non-vanishing effective cosmological constant term. As an illustration we consider both quadratic $F(T)$ theories and power-law solutions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Generalized Teleparallel de Sitter geometries

Theories of gravity based on teleparallel geometries are characterized by the torsion, which is a function of the coframe, derivatives of the coframe, and a zero curvature and metric compatible spin connection. The appropriate notion of a symmetry in a teleparallel geometry is that of an affine symmetry. Due to the importance of the de Sitter geometry and Einstein spaces within general relativity, we shall describe teleparallel de Sitter geometries and discuss their possible generalizations. In particular, we shall analyse a class of Einstein teleparallel geometries which have a 4-dimensional Lie algebra of affine symmetries, and display two one-parameter families of explicit exact solutions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Comment on "Szekeres universes with homogeneous scalar fields"

Two recently published papers (J.D. Barrow and A. Paliathanasis, Eur. Phys. J. C. (2018, 2019)) claim to have found exact solutions of Einstein's field equations belonging to the class of non-trivial Szekeres models, whose source is a mixture of dust and a homogeneous time-dependent scalar field, where the energy-momentum tensors of both mixture components are independently conserved. We prove that the independent conservation of these two mixture components necessarily leads to solutions belonging to the set of spatially homogeneous subcases of the Szekeres family: Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker for class I, and Kantowski-Sachs, Bianchi-Behr I or Bianchi-Behr $\mbox{VI}_{\tiny{\mbox{-1}}}$ for class II.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

The sounds of science: a symphony for many instruments and voices

This paper is a celebration of the frontiers of science. Goodenough, the maestro who transformed energy usage and technology through the invention of the lithium ion battery, opens the programme, reflecting on the ultimate limits of battery technology. This applied theme continues through the subsequent pieces on energy related topics (the sodium ion battery and artificial fuels, by Mansson) and the ultimate challenge for 3 dimensional printing the eventual production of life, by Atala. A passage by Alexander follows, reflecting on a related issue: How might an artificially produced human being behave? Next comes a consideration of consiousness and free will by Allen and Lidstrom. Further voices and new instruments enter as Bowen, Mauranyapin and Madsen discuss whether dynamical processes of single molecules might be observed in their native state. The exploitation of chaos in science and technology, applications of Bose Einstein condensates and a consideration of the significance of entropy follow in pieces by Reichl, Rasel and Allen, respectively. Katsnelson and Koonin then discuss the potential generalisation of thermodynamic concepts in the context of biological evolution. Entering with the music of the cosmos, Yasskin discusses whether we might be able to observe torsion in the geometry of the universe. The crescendo comes with the crisis of singularities, their nature and whether they can be resolved through quantum effects, in the composition of Coley. The climax is Krenn, Melvin and Zeilinger consideration of how computer code can be autonomously surprising and creative. In a harmonious counterpoint, Yampolskiy concludes that such code is not yet able to take responsibility for coauthoring a paper.

physics.pop-ph↗

arXiv2018

Data Analysis and Phenomenological Cosmology

In the era of precision cosmology, even percentage level effects are significant on cosmological observables. The recent tension between the local and global values of $H_0$ is much more significant than this, and any possible solution might rely on us going beyond the standard $Λ$CDM cosmological model. For much smaller, yet potentially significant effects, spatial curvature from averaging and cosmological backreaction on observational predictions could play a role. This is especially true with the higher precision of new observational data and improved statistical techniques. In this paper, we discuss the observational viability of a class of physically motivated cosmologies which can be parametrized by a phenomenological two-scale backreaction model with decoupled spatial curvature parameters and two Hubble scales. Using the latest JLA Supernovae data together with some of the latest BAO data, we perform a Bayesian model selection analysis and find that the phenomenological models are not favoured over the standard $Λ$CDM cosmological model. Although there is still a preference for non-zero and unequal dynamic and geometric spatial curvatures, there is little evidence for differing Hubble scales within these phenomenological template models.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2018

Mathematical General Relativity

We present a number of open problems within general relativity. After a brief introduction to some technical mathematical issues and the famous singularity theorems, we discuss the cosmic censorship hypothesis and the Penrose inequality, the uniqueness of black hole solutions and the stability of Kerr spacetime and the final state conjecture, critical phenomena and the Einstein-Yang--Mills equations, and a number of other problems in classical general relativity. We then broaden the scope and discuss some mathematical problems motivated by quantum gravity, including AdS/CFT correspondence and problems in higher dimensions and, in particular, the instability of anti-de Sitter spacetime, and in cosmology, including the cosmological constant problem and dark energy, the stability of de Sitter spacetime and cosmological singularities and spikes. Finally, we briefly discuss some problems in numerical relativity and relativistic astrophysics.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Geometric Horizons

We discuss black hole spacetimes with a geometrically defined quasi-local horizon on which the curvature tensor is algebraically special relative to the alignment classification. Based on many examples and analytical results, we conjecture that a spacetime horizon is always more algebraically special (in all of the orders of specialization) than other regions of spacetime. Using recent results in invariant theory, such geometric black hole horizons can be identified by the alignment type $\textbf{II}$ or $\textbf{D}$ discriminant conditions in terms of scalar curvature invariants, which are not dependent on spacetime foliations. The above conjecture is, in fact, a suite of conjectures (isolated vs dynamical horizon; four vs higher dimensions; zeroth order invariants vs higher order differential invariants). However, we are particularly interested in applications in four dimensions and especially the location of a black hole in numerical computations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Open problems in mathematical physics

We present a list of open questions in mathematical physics. After a historical introduction, a number of problems in a variety of different fields are discussed, with the intention of giving an overall impression of the current status of mathematical physics, particularly in the topical fields of classical general relativity, cosmology and the quantum realm. This list is motivated by the recent article proposing 42 fundamental questions (in physics) which must be answered on the road to full enlightenment. But paraphrasing a famous quote by the British football manager Bill Shankly, in response to the question of whether mathematics can answer the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything, mathematics is, of course, much more important than that.

math.HO↗

arXiv2017

What is General Relativity?

General relativity is a set of physical and geometric principles, which lead to a set of (Einstein) field equations that determine the gravitational field, and to the geodesic equations that describe light propagation and the motion of particles on the background. But open questions remain, including: What is the scale on which matter and geometry are dynamically coupled in the Einstein equations? Are the field equations valid on small and large scales? What is the largest scale on which matter can be coarse grained while following a geodesic of a solution to Einstein's equations? We address these questions. If the field equations are causal evolution equations, whose average on cosmological scales is not an exact solution of the Einstein equations, then some simplifying physical principle is required to explain the statistical homogeneity of the late epoch Universe. Such a principle may have its origin in the dynamical coupling between matter and geometry at the quantum level in the early Universe. This possibility is hinted at by diverse approaches to quantum gravity which find a dynamical reduction to two effective dimensions at high energies on one hand, and by cosmological observations which are beginning to strongly restrict the class of viable inflationary phenomenologies on the other. We suggest that the foundational principles of general relativity will play a central role in reformulating the theory of spacetime structure to meet the challenges of cosmology in the 21st century.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Observational Challenges for the Standard FLRW Model

We summarise some of the main observational challenges for the standard Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker cosmological model and describe how results recently presented in the parallel session `Large--scale Structure and Statistics' (DE3) at the `Fourteenth Marcel Grossman Meeting on General Relativity' are related to these challenges.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

Spherically symmetric Einstein-aether perfect fluid models

We investigate spherically symmetric cosmological models in Einstein-aether theory with a tilted (non-comoving) perfect fluid source. We use a 1+3 frame formalism and adopt the comoving aether gauge to derive the evolution equations, which form a well-posed system of first order partial differential equations in two variables. We then introduce normalized variables. The formalism is particularly well-suited for numerical computations and the study of the qualitative properties of the models, which are also solutions of Horava gravity. We study the local stability of the equilibrium points of the resulting dynamical system corresponding to physically realistic inhomogeneous cosmological models and astrophysical objects with values for the parameters which are consistent with current constraints. In particular, we consider dust models in ($β-$) normalized variables and derive a reduced (closed) evolution system and we obtain the general evolution equations for the spatially homogeneous Kantowski-Sachs models using appropriate bounded normalized variables. We then analyse these models, with special emphasis on the future asymptotic behaviour for different values of the parameters. Finally, we investigate static models for a mixture of a (necessarily non-tilted) perfect fluid with a barotropic equations of state and a scalar field.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Isotropization of solutions of the Einstein-Vlasov system with Bianchi V symmetry

Using the methods developed for different Bianchi class A cosmological models we treat the simplest Bianchi class B model, namely Bianchi type V. The future non-linear stability for solutions of the Einstein-Vlasov system is demonstrated and it is shown that these solutions are asymptotically stable to the Milne solution. Within the isotropic solutions of the Einstein-Vlasov system the spatially flat Friedmann solution is unstable within this class, and expanding models tend also to the Milne solution.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

On the physical effects of consistent cosmological averaging

We use cosmological perturbation theory to study the backreaction effects of a self-consistent and well-defined cosmological averaging on the dynamics and the evolution of the Universe. Working with a perturbed Friedman-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker Einstein-de Sitter cosmological solution in a comoving volume-preserving gauge, we compute the expressions for the expansion scalar and deceleration parameter to second order, which we use to characterize the backreaction. We find that the fractional shift in the Hubble parameter with respect to the input background cosmological model is Delta~10^{-5}, which leads to an effective energy density of the order of a few times 10^{-5}. In addition, we find that an appropriate measure of the fractional shift in the deceleration parameter Q is very large.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2006

Cosmology: a bird's eye view

In this essay we discuss the difference in views of the Universe as seen by two different observers. While one of the observers follows a geodesic congruence defined by the geometry of the cosmological model, the other observer follows the fluid flow lines of a perfect fluid with a linear equation of state. We point out that the information these observers collect regarding the state of the Universe can be radically different; while one observes a non-inflating ever-expanding ever-lasting universe, the other observer can experience a dynamical behaviour reminiscent to that of quintessence or even that of a phantom cosmology leading to a 'big rip' singularity within finite time (but without the need for exotic forms of matter).

gr-qc↗

arXiv2004

Brane Waves

In brane-world cosmology gravitational waves can propagate in the higher dimensions (i.e., in the `bulk'). In some appropriate regimes the bulk gravitational waves may be approximated by plane waves. We systematically study five-dimensional gravitational waves that are algebraically special and of type N. In the most physically relevant case the projected non-local stress tensor on the brane is formally equivalent to the energy-momentum tensor of a null fluid. Some exact solutions are studied to illustrate the features of these branes; in particular, we show explicity that any plane wave brane can be embedded into a 5-dimensional Siklos spacetime. More importantly, it is possible that in some appropriate regime the bulk can be approximated by gravitational plane waves and thus may act as initial conditions for the gravitational field in the bulk (thereby enabling the field equations to be integrated on the brane).

gr-qc↗