SearcharxivSearch

arXiv subjects

Davide Fermi

Publications and source records attributed to Davide Fermi.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The semi-classical limit with delta potentials

We consider the semi-classical limit of the quantum evolution of Gaussian coherent states whenever the Hamiltonian $\mathsf H$ is given, as sum of quadratic forms, by $\mathsf H= -\frac{\hbar^{2}}{2m}\,\frac{d^{2}\,}{dx^{2}}\,\dot{+}\,αδ_{0}$, with $α\in\mathbb R$ and $δ_{0}$ the Dirac delta-distribution at $x=0$. We show that the quantum evolution can be approximated, uniformly for any time away from the collision time and with an error of order $\hbar^{3/2-λ}$, $0\!<\!λ\!<\!3/2$, by the quasi-classical evolution generated by a self-adjoint extension of the restriction to $\mathcal C^{\infty}_{c}({\mathscr M}_{0})$, ${\mathscr M}_{0}:=\{(q,p)\!\in\!\mathbb R^{2}\,|\,q\!\not=\!0\}$, of ($-i$ times) the generator of the free classical dynamics; such a self-adjoint extension does not correspond to the classical dynamics describing the complete reflection due to the infinite barrier. Similar approximation results are also provided for the wave and scattering operators.

math-ph

On the necessity of phantom fields for solving the horizon problem in scalar cosmologies

We discuss the particle horizon problem in the framework of spatially homogeneous and isotropic scalar cosmologies. To this purpose we consider a Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) spacetime with possibly non-zero spatial sectional curvature (and arbitrary dimension), and assume that the content of the universe is a family of perfect fluids, plus a scalar field that can be a quintessence or a phantom (depending on the sign of the kinetic part in its action functional). We show that the occurrence of a particle horizon is unavoidable if the field is a quintessence, the spatial curvature is non-positive and the usual energy conditions are fulfilled by the perfect fluids. As a partial converse, we present three solvable models where a phantom is present in addition to a perfect fluid, and no particle horizon~appears.

gr-qc

Some remarks on a new exotic spacetime for time travel by free fall

This work is essentially a review of a new spacetime model with closed causal curves, recently presented in another paper (Class. Quantum Grav. \textbf{35}(16) (2018), 165003). The spacetime at issue is topologically trivial, free of curvature singularities, and even time and space orientable. Besides summarizing previous results on causal geodesics, tidal accelerations and violations of the energy conditions, here redshift/blueshift effects and the Hawking-Ellis classification of the stress-energy tensor are examined.

gr-qc

On inverses of Krein's Q-functions

Let $A_{Q}$ be the self-adjoint operator defined by the $Q$-function $Q:z\mapsto Q_{z}$ through the Krein-like resolvent formula $$(-A_{Q}+z)^{-1}= (-A_{0}+z)^{-1}+G_{z}WQ_{z}^{-1}VG_{\bar z}^{*}\,,\quad z\in Z_{Q}\,,$$ where $V$ and $W$ are bounded operators and $$Z_{Q}:=\{z\inρ(A_{0}):\text{$Q_{z}$ and $Q_{\bar z }$ have a bounded inverse}\}\,.$$ We show that $$Z_{Q}\not=\emptyset\quad\Longrightarrow\quad Z_{Q}=ρ(A_{0})\cap ρ(A_{Q})\,.$$ We do not suppose that $Q$ is represented in terms of a uniformly strict, operator-valued Nevanlinna function (equivalently, we do not assume that $Q$ is associated to an ordinary boundary triplet), thus our result extends previously known ones. The proof relies on simple algebraic computations stemming from the first resolvent identity.

math.SP

A time machine for free fall into the past

Inspired by some recent works of Tippett-Tsang and Mallary-Khanna-Price, we present a new spacetime model containing closed timelike curves (CTCs). This model is obtained postulating an ad hoc Lorentzian metric on $\mathbb{R}^4$, which differs from the Minkowski metric only inside a spacetime region bounded by two concentric tori. The resulting spacetime is topologically trivial, free of curvature singularities and is both time and space orientable; besides, the inner region enclosed by the smaller torus is flat and displays geodesic CTCs. Our model shares some similarities with the time machine of Ori and Soen but it has the advantage of a higher symmetry in the metric, allowing for the explicit computation of a class of geodesics. The most remarkable feature emerging from this computation is the presence of future-oriented timelike geodesics starting from a point in the outer Minkowskian region, moving to the inner spacetime region with CTCs, and then returning to the initial spatial position at an earlier time; this means that time travel to the past can be performed by free fall across our time machine. The amount of time travelled into the past is determined quantitatively; this amount can be made arbitrarily large keeping non-large the proper duration of the travel. An important drawback of the model is the violation of the classical energy conditions, a common feature of many time machines. Other problems emerge from our computations of the required (negative) energy densities and of the tidal accelerations; these are small only if the time machine is gigantic.

gr-qc

Local Casimir Effect for a Scalar Field in Presence of a Point Impurity

The Casimir effect for a scalar field in presence of delta-type potentials has been investigated for a long time in the case of surface delta functions, modelling semi-transparent boundaries. More recently Albeverio, Cacciapuoti, Cognola, Spreafico and Zerbini [9,10,51] have considered some configurations involving delta-type potentials concentrated at points of $\mathbb{R}^3$; in particular, the case with an isolated point singularity at the origin can be formulated as a field theory on $\mathbb{R}^3\setminus \{\mathbf{0}\}$, with self-adjoint boundary conditions at the origin for the Laplacian. However, the above authors have discussed only global aspects of the Casimir effect, focusing their attention on the vacuum expectation value (VEV) of the total energy. In the present paper we analyze the local Casimir effect with a point delta-type potential, computing the renormalized VEV of the stress-energy tensor at any point of $\mathbb{R}^3\setminus \{\mathbf{0}\}$; to this purpose we follow the zeta regularization approach, in the formulation already employed for different configurations in previous works of ours (see [29-31] and references therein).

math-ph

Relative-Zeta and Casimir energy for a semitransparent hyperplane selecting transverse modes

We study the relative zeta function for the couple of operators $A_0$ and $A_α$, where $A_0$ is the free unconstrained Laplacian in $L^2(\mathbf{R}^d)$ ($d \geq 2$) and $A_α$ is the singular perturbation of $A_0$ associated to the presence of a delta interaction supported by a hyperplane. In our setting the operatorial parameter $α$, which is related to the strength of the perturbation, is of the kind $α=α(-Δ_{\parallel})$, where $-Δ_{\parallel}$ is the free Laplacian in $L^2(\mathbf{R}^{d-1})$. Thus $α$ may depend on the components of the wave vector parallel to hyperplane; in this sense $A_α$ describes a semitransparent hyperplane selecting transverse modes. As an application we give an expression for the associated thermal Casimir energy. Whenever $α=χ_{I}(-Δ_{\parallel})$, where $χ_{I}$ is the characteristic function of an interval $I$, the thermal Casimir energy can be explicitly computed.

math-ph

Local zeta regularization and the scalar Casimir effect I. A general approach based on integral kernels

This is the first one of a series of papers about zeta regularization of the divergences appearing in the vacuum expectation value (VEV) of several local and global observables in quantum field theory. More precisely we consider a quantized, neutral scalar field on a domain in any spatial dimension, with arbitrary boundary conditions and, possibly, in presence of an external classical potential. We analyze, in particular, the VEV of the stress-energy tensor, the corresponding boundary forces and the total energy, thus taking into account both local and global aspects of the Casimir effect. In comparison with the wide existing literature on these subjects, we try to develop a more systematic approach, allowing to treat specific configurations by mere application of a general machinery. The present Part I is mainly devoted to setting up this general framework; at the end of the paper, this is exemplified in a very simple case. In Parts II, III and IV we will consider more engaging applications, indicated in the Introduction of the present work.

math-ph

Local zeta regularization and the scalar Casimir effect II. Some explicitly solvable cases

In Part I of this series of papers we have described a general formalism to compute the vacuum effects of a scalar field via local (or global) zeta regularization. In the present Part II we exemplify the general formalism in a number of cases which can be solved explicitly by analytical means. More in detail we deal with configurations involving parallel or perpendicular planes and we also discuss the case of a three-dimensional wedge.

math-ph

Local zeta regularization and the Casimir effect

In this paper, whose aims are mainly pedagogical, we illustrate how to use the local zeta regularization to compute the stress-energy tensor of the Casimir effect. Our attention is devoted to the case of a neutral, massless scalar field in flat space-time, on a space domain with suitable (e.g., Dirichlet) boundary conditions. After a simple outline of the local zeta method, we exemplify it in the typical case of a field between two parallel plates, or outside them. The results are shown to agree with the ones obtained by more popular methods, such as point splitting regularization. In comparison with these alternative methods, local zeta regularization has the advantage to give directly finite results via analitic continuation, with no need to remove or subtract divergent quantities.

math-ph