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Cédric Troessaert

Publications and source records attributed to Cédric Troessaert.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Asymptotic symmetry algebra of Einstein gravity and Lorentz generators

The asymptotic symmetry algebra of four-dimensional Einstein gravity in the asymptotically flat context has been shown recently to be the direct sum of the Poincaré algebra and of an infinite-dimensional abelian algebra (with central charge) that includes the Bondi-Metzner-Sachs supertranslations. This result, obtained within the Hamiltonian formalism, yields a supertranslation invariant definition of the Lorentz generators (angular momentum and boosts). Definitions of Lorentz generators free from the ``supertranslation ambiguities'' have also been proposed recently at null infinity. We prove the equivalence of the two approaches for redefining the charges.

hep-th↗

A note on the asymptotic symmetries of electromagnetism

We extend the asymptotic symmetries of electromagnetism in order to consistently include angle-dependent $u(1)$ gauge transformations $ε$ that involve terms growing at spatial infinity linearly and logarithmically in $r$, $ε\sim a(θ, φ) r + b(θ, φ) \ln r + c(θ, φ)$. The charges of the logarithmic $u(1)$ transformations are found to be conjugate to those of the $\mathcal O(1)$ transformations (abelian algebra with invertible central term) while those of the $\mathcal O(r)$ transformations are conjugate to those of the subleading $\mathcal O(r^{-1})$ transformations. Because of this structure, one can decouple the angle-dependent $u(1)$ asymptotic symmetry from the Poincaré algebra, just as in the case of gravity: the generators of these internal transformations are Lorentz scalars in the redefined algebra. This implies in particular that one can give a definition of the angular momentum which is free from $u(1)$ gauge ambiguities. The change of generators that brings the asymptotic symmetry algebra to a direct sum form involves non linear redefinitions of the charges. Our analysis is Hamiltonian throughout and carried at spatial infinity.

hep-th↗

Logarithmic supertranslations and supertranslation-invariant Lorentz charges

We extend the BMS(4) group by adding logarithmic supertranslations. This is done by relaxing the boundary conditions on the metric and its conjugate momentum at spatial infinity in order to allow logarithmic terms of carefully designed form in the asymptotic expansion, while still preserving finiteness of the action. Standard theorems of the Hamiltonian formalism are used to derive the (finite) generators of the logarithmic supertranslations. As the ordinary supertranslations, these depend on a function of the angles. Ordinary and logarithmic supertranslations are then shown to form an abelian subalgebra with non-vanishing central extension. Because of this central term, one can make nonlinear redefinitions of the generators of the algebra so that the pure supertranslations ($\ell >1$ in a spherical harmonic expansion) and the logarithmic supertranslations have vanishing brackets with all the Poincaré generators, and, in particular, transform in the trivial representation of the Lorentz group. The symmetry algebra is then the direct sum of the Poincaré algebra and the infinite-dimensional abelian algebra formed by the pure supertranslations and the logarithmic supertranslations (with central extension). The pure supertranslations are thus completely decoupled from the standard Poincaré algebra in the asymptotic symmetry algebra. This implies in particular that one can provide a definition of the angular momentum which is manifestly free from supertranslation ambiguities. An intermediate redefinition providing a partial decoupling of the pure and logarithmic supertranslations is also given.

hep-th↗

Asymptotic structure of the gravitational field in five spacetime dimensions: Hamiltonian analysis

We develop the analysis of the asymptotic properties of gravity in higher spacetime dimensions $D$, with a particular emphasis on the case $D=5$. Our approach deals with spatial infinity and is Hamiltonian throughout. It is shown that the asymptotic symmetry algebra BMS$_5$, which is realized non linearly, contains a four-fold family of angle-dependent supertranslations. The structure of this non-linear algebra is investigated and a presentation in which the Poincaré subalgebra is linearly realized is constructed. Invariance of the energy is studied. Concluding comments on higher dimensions $D \geq 6$ are also given.

hep-th↗

The Bondi-Metzner-Sachs group in five spacetime dimensions

We study asymptotically flat spacetimes in five spacetime dimensions by Hamiltonian methods, focusing on spatial infinity and keeping all asymptotically relevant nonlinearities in the transformation laws and in the charge-generators. Precise boundary conditions that lead to a consistent variational principle are given. We show that the algebra of asymptotic symmetries, which had not been uncovered before, is a nonlinear deformation of the semi-direct product of the Lorentz algebra by an abelian algebra involving four independent (and not just one) arbitrary functions of the angles on the $3$-sphere at infinity, with non trivial central charges. The nonlinearities occur in the Poisson brackets of the boost generators with themselves and with the other generators. They would be invisible in a linearized treatment of infinity.

hep-th↗

Asymptotic structure of the Pauli-Fierz theory in four spacetime dimensions

The asymptotic structure of the Pauli-Fierz theory at spatial infinity is investigated in four spacetime dimensions. Boundary conditions on the massless spin-$2$ field that are invariant under an infinite-dimensional group of non-trivial ``improper'' gauge symmetries are given. The compatibility of these boundary conditions with invariance of the theory under Lorentz boosts is a subtle issue which is investigated in depth and leads to the identification of the improper gauge symmetries with the pure BMS supertranslations. It is also shown how rigid Poincaré transformations and improper gauge symmetries of the free Pauli-Fierz theory merge into the full BMS group as one switches on the gravitational coupling. Contrary to the massless spin-$1$ case, where invariance under boosts is implemented differently and where important differences between the free and the interacting cases have been exhibited recently, the free Pauli-Fierz theory and general relativity show very similar behaviours at spatial infinity.

hep-th↗

A note on electric-magnetic duality and soft charges

We derive the asymptotic symmetries of the manifestly duality invariant formulation of electromagnetism in Minkoswki space. We show that the action is invariant under two algebras of angle-dependent $u(1)$ transformations, one electric and the other magnetic. As in the standard electric formulation, Lorentz invariance requires the addition of additional boundary degrees of freedom at infinity, found here to be of both electric and magnetic types. A notable feature of this duality symmetric formulation, which we comment upon, is that the on-shell values of the zero modes of the gauge generators are equal to only half of the electric and magnetic fluxes (the other half is brought in by Dirac-string type contributions). Another notable feature is the absence of central extension in the angle-dependent $u(1)^2$-algebra.

hep-th↗

The asymptotic structure of gravity at spatial infinity in four spacetime dimensions

A review of our results on the asymptotic structure of gravity at spatial infinity in four spacetime dimensions is given. Finiteness of the action and integrability of the asymptotic Lorentz boost generators are key criteria that we implement through appropriate boundary conditions. These conditions are `twisted parity conditions', expressing that the leading order of the asymptotic fields obey strict parity conditions under the sphere antipodal map up to an improper gauge transformation. The asymptotic symmetries are shown to form the infinite-dimensional BMS group, which has a non trivial action. The charges and their algebra are worked out. The presentation aims at being self-contained and at possessing a pedagogical component.

hep-th↗

Asymptotic symmetries of electromagnetism at spatial infinity

We analyse the asymptotic symmetries of Maxwell theory at spatial infinity through the Hamiltonian formalism. Precise, consistent boundary conditions are explicitly given and shown to be invariant under asymptotic angle-dependent $u(1)$-gauge transformations. These symmetries generically have non-vanishing charges. The algebra of the canonical generators of this infinite-dimensional symmetry with the Poincaré charges is computed. The treatment requires the addition of surface degrees of freedom at infinity and a modification of the standard symplectic form by surface terms. We extend the general formulation of well-defined generators and Hamiltonian vector fields to encompass such boundary modifications of the symplectic structure. Our study covers magnetic monopoles.

hep-th↗

Hamiltonian structure and asymptotic symmetries of the Einstein-Maxwell system at spatial infinity

We present a new set of asymptotic conditions for gravity at spatial infinity that includes gravitational magnetic-type solutions, allows for a non-trivial Hamiltonian action of the complete $BMS_4$ algebra, and leads to a non-divergent behaviour of the Weyl tensor as one approaches null infinity. We then extend the analysis to the coupled Einstein-Maxwell system and obtain as canonically realized asymptotic symmetry algebra a semi-direct sum of the $BMS_4$ algebra with the angle dependent $u(1)$ transformations. The Hamiltonian charge-generator associated with each asymptotic symmetry element is explicitly written. The connection with matching conditions at null infinity is also discussed.

gr-qc↗

The BMS4 algebra at spatial infinity

We show how a global BMS4 algebra appears as the asymptotic symmetry algebra at spatial infinity. Using linearised theory, we then show that this global BMS4 algebra is the one introduced by Strominger as a symmetry of the S-matrix.

hep-th↗

BMS Group at Spatial Infinity: the Hamiltonian (ADM) approach

New boundary conditions for asymptotically flat spacetimes are given at spatial infinity. These boundary conditions are invariant under the BMS group, which acts non trivially. The boundary conditions fulfill all standard consistency requirements: (i) they make the symplectic form finite; (ii) they contain the Schwarzchild solution, the Kerr solution and their Poincaré transforms, (iii) they make the Hamiltonian generators of the asymptotic symmetries integrable and well-defined (finite). The boundary conditions differ from the ones given earlier in the literature in the choice of the parity conditions. It is this different choice of parity conditions that makes the action of the BMS group non trivial. Our approach is purely Hamiltonian and off-shell throughout.

gr-qc↗

Finite BMS transformations

The action of finite BMS and Weyl transformations on the gravitational data at null infinity is worked out in three and four dimensions in the case of an arbitrary conformal factor for the boundary metric induced on Scri.

gr-qc↗

Asymptotically flat black holes and gravitational waves in three-dimensional massive gravity

Different classes of exact solutions for the BHT massive gravity theory are constructed and analyzed. We focus in the special case of the purely quadratic Lagrangian, whose field equations are irreducibly of fourth order and are known to admit asymptotically locally flat black holes endowed with gravitational hair. The first class corresponds to a Kerr-Schild deformation of Minkowski spacetime along a covariantly constant null vector. As in the case of General Relativity, the field equations linearize so that the solution can be easily shown to be described by four arbitrary functions of a single null coordinate. These solutions can be regarded as a new sort of pp-waves. The second class is obtained from a deformation of the static asymptotically locally flat black hole, that goes along the spacelike (angular) Killing vector. Remarkably, although the deformation is not of Kerr-Schild type, the field equations also linearize, and hence the generic solution can be readily integrated. It is neither static nor spherically symmetric, being described by two integration constants and two arbitrary functions of the angular coordinate. In the static case it describes "black flowers" whose event horizons break the spherical symmetry. The generic time-dependent solution appears to describe a graviton that moves away from a black flower. Despite the asymptotic behaviour of these solutions at null infinity is relaxed with respect to the one for General Relativity, the asymptotic symmetries coincide. However, the algebra of the conserved charges corresponds to BMS$_{3}$, but devoid of central extensions. The "dynamical black flowers" are shown to possess a finite energy. The surface integrals that define the global charges also turn out to be useful in the description of the thermodynamics of solutions with event horizons.

hep-th↗

Asymptotically locally flat spacetimes and dynamical black flowers in three dimensions

The theory of massive gravity proposed by Bergshoeff, Hohm and Townsend is considered in the special case of the pure irreducibly fourth order quadratic Lagrangian. It is shown that the asymptotically locally flat black holes of this theory can be consistently deformed to "black flowers" that are no longer spherically symmetric. Moreover, we construct radiating spacetimes settling down to these black flowers in the far future. The generic case can be shown to fit within a relaxed set of asymptotic conditions as compared to the ones of general relativity at null infinity, while the asymptotic symmetries remain the same. Conserved charges as surface integrals at null infinity are constructed following a covariant approach, and their algebra represents BMS$_{3}$, but without central extensions. For solutions possessing an event horizon, we derive the first law of thermodynamics from these surface integrals.

hep-th↗

Supertranslations call for superrotations

We review recent results on symmetries of asymptotically flat spacetimes at null infinity. In higher dimensions, the symmetry algebra realizes the Poincaré algebra. In three and four dimensions, besides the infinitesimal supertranslations that have been known since the sixties, the algebras are evenly balanced because there are also infinitesimal superrotations. We provide the classification of central extensions of the bms3 and bms4 algebras. Applications and consequences as well as directions for future work are briefly indicated.

gr-qc↗