arXiv subjects

Edward Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to Edward Anderson.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Where to Apply Relationalism

Relationalism -- along the lines developed by Barbour and collaborators in the past 3 decades -- can be considered an advance with 1/4 of the facets of the canonical approach's Problem of Time as identified by Isham and Kuchar. Indeed, almost all of the Problem of Time facets have classical counterparts, since they arise from consequences of demanding background independence rather than about combining GR and QM per se. Moreover the quantum version is harder, while the classical counterpart provides some suggestions through being more solvable. The suggestion then is to consider the effect of this advance on the Problem of Time as a whole, as opposed to repeating the same classical portion for a different redundancy group acting on the configuration space: shape dynamics. There are indeed some knock-on effects because the facets are notoriously not independent. The other facets do also however require distinct insights. Finally, I comment on the above being `metric' background independence, whereas quantum gravity usually assumes many other levels of background structures. Whilst Isham already wrote about this over two decades ago, it has largely not yet been incorporated into quantum gravity programs, and could well be a good area to extend and re-envigour by use of relational thinking.

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arXiv2015

Spaces of Spaces

Wheeler emphasized the study of Superspace - the space of 3-geometries on a spatial manifold of fixed topology. This is a configuration space for GR; knowledge of configuration spaces is useful as regards dynamics and QM.In this Article I consider furthmore generalized configuration spaces to all levels within the conventional `equipped sets' paradigm of mathematical structure used in fundamental Theoretical Physics. This covers A) the more familiar issue of topology change in the sense of topological manifolds (tied to cobordisms), including via pinched manifolds. B) The less familiar issue of not regarding as fixed the yet deeper levels of structure: topological spaces themselves (and their metric space subcase), collections of subsets and sets. Isham has previously presented quantization schemes for a number of these. I consider some classical preliminaries for this program, aside from the most obvious (classical dynamics for each). Rather, I provide I) to all levels Relational and Background Independence criteria, which have Problem of Time facets as consequences. I demonstrate that many of these issues descend all the way down, whilst also documenting at which level the others cease to apply. II) Probability theory on configuration spaces. In fact such a stochastic treatment is how to further mathematize the hitherto fairly formal and sketchy subject of records theory (a type of formultion of quantum gravity). Along these lines I provide a number of further examples of records theories. This is in addition to Kendall's shape statistics being the example corresponding to relational mechanics models. To this example I now add 1) Cech cohomology, 2) Kendall's random sets, 3) the lattice of topologies on a fixed set. I finally consider 4) sheaves, both as a generalization of Cech cohomology and in connection to the study of stratified manifolds such as Superspace itself.

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arXiv2015

Spherical Relationalism

This paper considers passing from the usual $\mathbb{R}^d$ model of absolute space to $\mathbb{S}^d$ at the level of relational particle models. Both approaches' $d = 1$ cases are rather simpler than their $d \geq 2$ cases, with $N$ particles in $\mathbb{S}^1$ admitting a straightforward reduction with shape space $\mathbb{T}^{N - 1}$. The $\mathbb{S}^2$ and $\mathbb{S}^3$ cases - observed skies and the simplest closed GR cosmologies respectively -- are also considered, the latter in the contexts of both static and dynamical radius of the model universe. The space of relational triangles on $\mathbb{S}^2$ is hyperbolic 3-space $\mathbb{H}^3$. Overall, by passing to a closed underlying absolute space, and then to dynamical notion of space, we close some of the modelling gaps between relational particle models and geometrodynamics or its inhomogeneous perturbative regime of interest in cosmology. Quantum counterparts are also outlined, for use as model arenas of quantum cosmology. These models are useful in further considerations of both classical and quantum background independence.

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arXiv2015

TRiPoD (Temporal Relationalism incorporating Principles of Dynamics)

Temporal Relationalism is that there is no time for the universe as a whole at the primary level. Time emerges rather at a secondary level; one compelling idea for this is Mach's: that time is to be abstracted from change. Temporal Relationalism leads to, and better explains, the well-known Frozen Formalism Problem encountered in GR and other background-independent theories at the quantum level. Abstraction from change is then a type of emergent time resolution of this. Moreover, the Frozen Formalism Problem is but one of the many Problem of Time facets, which are notoriously interconnected. The current article concerns modifications of physical formalism which ensure that once Temporal Relationalism is resolved, it stays incorporated. At the classical level, this involves modifying much of the Principles of Dynamics. I first introduce the anti-Routhian to complete the Legendre square of Lagrangian, Hamiltonian and Routhian. I next pass from velocities $\dot{Q}\mbox{}^{A}$ to changes d$Q^{A}$. Then Lagrangians are supplanted by Jacobi arc elements, Euler--Lagrange equations by Jacobi--Mach ones, and momentum requires redefining but actions remain unchanged. A differential (d) version of the Hamiltonian is required, giving rise to a variant of the Dirac approach based on a d-almost Hamiltonian subcase of the d-anti Routhian. On the other hand, the forms of the constraints themselves, and of Hamilton--Jacobi theory, remain unaltered.

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arXiv2014

Problem of Time and Background Independence: the Individual Facets

I lay out the problem of time facets as arising piecemeal from a number of aspects of background independence. Almost all of these already have simpler classical counterparts. This approach can be viewed as a facet by facet completion of the observation that Barbour-type relationalism is a background independent precursor to 2 of the 9 facets. That completion proceeds in an order dictated by the additional layers of mathematical structure required to support each. Moreover, the `nonlinear nature' of the interactions between the Problem of Time facets renders a joint study of them mandatory. The current article is none the less a useful prequel via gaining a conceptual understanding of each facet, prior to embarking on rendering some combinations of facets consistent and what further obstructions arise in attempting such joint considerations. See [20, 21, 26] for up to date studies of this more complicated joint version. I also identify new facets (threading based), subfacets (of observables and of reconstructions) and further source of variety from how far down the levels of mathematical structure these facets extend.

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arXiv2014

Beables/Observables in Classical and Quantum Gravity

Observables 'are observed' whereas beables just 'are'. This gives beables more scope in the cosmological and quantum domains. Both observables and beables are entities that form 'brackets' with 'the constraints' that are 'equal to' zero. We explain how depending on circumstances, these could be, e.g., Poisson, Dirac, commutator, histories, Schouten-Nijenhuis, double or Nambu brackets, first-class, gauge, linear or effective constraints, and strong, weak or weak-effective equalities. The Dirac-Bergmann distinction in notions of gauge leads to further notions of observables or beables, and is tied to a number of diffeomorphism-specific subtleties. Thus we cover a wide range of notions of observables or beables that occur in classical and quantum gravitational theories: Dirac, Kuchař, effective, Bergmann, histories, multisymplectic, master, Nambu and bi-. Indeed this review covers a representatively wide range of such theories: general relativity, loop quantum gravity, histories theory, supergravity and M-theory.

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arXiv2014

Relationalism

This article contributes to the debate of the meaning of relationalism and background independence, which has remained of interest in theoretical physics from Newton versus Leibniz through to foundational issues for today's leading candidate theories of quantum gravity. I contrast and compose the substantially different Leibniz--Mach--Barbour (LMB) and Rovelli--Crane (RC) uses of the word `relational'. Leibniz advocated primary timelessness and Mach that `time is to be abstracted from change'. I consider 3 distinct viewpoints on Machian time: Barbour's, Rovelli's and my own. I provide four expansions on Barbour's taking configuration space to be primary: to (perhaps a weakened notion of) phase space, categorizing, perspecting and propositioning. Categorizing means considering not only object spaces but also the corresponding morphisms and then functors between such pairs. Perspecting means considering the set of subsystem perspectives; this is an arena in which the LMB and Rovelli approaches make contact. By propositioning, I mean considering the set of propositions about a physical (sub)system. I argue against categorization being more than a formal pre-requisite for quantization in general; however, perspecting is a categorical operation, and propositioning leads one to considering topoi, with Isham and Doering's work represents one possibility for a mathematically sharp implementation of propositioning. Further applications of this article are arguing for Ashtekar variables as being relational in LMB as well as just the usually-ascribed RC sense, relationalism versus supersymmetry, string theory and M-theory. The question of whether scale is relational is also considered, with quantum cosmology in mind.

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arXiv2014

Problem of Time: Facets and Machian Strategy

The Problem of Time is that `time' in each of ordinary quantum theory and general relativity are mutually incompatible notions. This causes difficulties in trying to put these two theories together to form a theory of Quantum Gravity. The Problem of Time has 8 facets in canonical approaches. I clarify that all but one of these facets already occur at the classical level, and reconceptualize and re-name some of these facets as follows.The Frozen Formalism Problem becomes Temporal Relationalism, the Thin Sandwich Problem becomes Configurational Relationalism, via the notion of Best Matching. The Problem of Observables becomes the Problem of Beables, and the Functional Evolution Problem becomes the Constraint Closure Problem. I also outline how each of the Global and Multiple-Choice Problems of Time have their own plurality of facets. This article additionally contains a local resolution to the Problem of Time at the conceptual level and which is actually realizable for the relational triangle and minisuperspace models. This resolution is, moreover, Machian, and has three levels: classical, semiclassical and a combined semiclassical-histories-timeless records scheme. I end by delineating the current frontiers of this program toward resolution of the Problem of Time in the cases of full GR and of slightly inhomogeneous cosmology.

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arXiv2014

Minisuperspace model of Machian Resolution of Problem of Time. I. Isotropic Case

A local resolution to the Problem of Time that is Machian and was previously demonstrated for various relational mechanics models is here shown to work for a more widely studied quantum cosmological model. Namely, closed isotropic minisuperspace GR with minimally-coupled scalar field matter. This uses work firstly along the lines of Barbour's at the classical level. Secondly, it uses a Machianized version of the Semiclassical Approach to Quantum Cosmology. Finally, it uses a combined Machianized version of a combined Semiclassical Histories Timeless Records scheme along the lines of Halliwell's work. This program's goal is the treatment of inhomogeneous perturbations about the present paper's model, drawing also qualitatively from the relational mechanics examples since these have nontrivial notions of inhomogeneity/structure (clumping) as well as nontrivial linear constraints.

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arXiv2014

Classical Machian Resolution of the Spacetime Reconstruction Problem

Following from a question of Wheeler, why does the Hamiltonian constraint ${\cal H}$ of GR have the particular form it does? A first answer, by Hojman, Kuchař and Teitelboim, is that using embeddability into spacetime as a principle gives the form of ${\cal H}$. The present paper culminates a second Machian answer - initially by Barbour, Foster and ó Murchadha - in which space but not spacetime are assumed. Thus this answer is additionally a classical-level resolution of the spacetime reconstruction problem. In this approach, mere consistency imposed by the Dirac procedure whittles down a general ansatz to one of four alternatives: Lorentzian, Galilean, or Carrollian relativity, or constant mean curvature slicing. These arise together as the different ways to kill off a 4-factor obstruction term. It is novel for such an alternative to arise from principles of dynamics considerations (in contrast with the historical form of the dichotomy between universal local Galilean or Lorentzian relativity). It is furthermore intriguing that it gives constant mean curvature slicing - familiar from York's work on the initial value problem -- as a further option on a similar footing. That is related to a number of recent alternative theories/formulations of GR known collectively as `shape dynamics'. The original work did not treat this with Poisson brackets and a proper systematic Dirac-type analysis; we rectify this in this paper. It is also the first demonstration of how this approach solves the classical spacetime reconstruction problem via `hypersurface tensor dual nationality' and what can be interpreted as embedding equations arising.

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arXiv2013

Relational Quadrilateralland. II. The Quantum Theory

This paper provides the quantum treatment of the relational quadrilateral. The underlying reduced configuration spaces are $\mathbb{CP}^2$ and the cone over this, C($\mathbb{CP}^2$). We consider exact free and isotropic HO potential cases and perturbations about these. Moreover, our purely relational kinematical quantization is distinct from the usual one for $\mathbb{CP}^2$, which turns out to carry absolutist connotations instead. Thus this paper is the first to note absolute-versus-relational motion distinctions at the kinematical rather than dynamical level, and also an example of value to the discussion of kinematical quantization along the lines of Isham 1984. This treatment of the relational quadrilateral is the first relational QM with very new mathematics for a finite QM model, and is far more typical of the general quantum relational $N$-a-gon than the previously-studied case of the relational triangle. We consider useful integrals as regards perturbation theory and the peaking interpretation of quantum cosmology. We subsequently consider problem of time applications of this: quantum Kuchař beables, the Machian version of the semiclassical approach and the timeless naive Schrodinger interpretation. These go toward extending the combined Machian semiclassical-histories-timeless approach of [1] to the case of the quadrilateral, which will be treated in subsequent papers.

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arXiv2013

Relational Quadrilateralland. I. The Classical Theory

Relational particle mechanics models bolster the relational side of the absolute versus relational motion debate, and are additionally toy models for the dynamical formulation of General Relativity and its Problem of Time. They cover two aspects that the more commonly studied minisuperspace General Relativity models do not: 1) by having a nontrivial notion of structure and thus of cosmological structure formation and of localized records. 2) They have linear as well as quadratic constraints, which is crucial as regards modelling many Problem of Time facets. I previously solved relational triangleland classically, quantum mechanically and as regards a local resolution of the Problem of Time. This rested on triangleland's shape space being S^2 with isometry group SO(3), allowing for use of widely-known Geometry, Methods and Atomic/Molecular Physics analogies. I now extend this work to the relational quadrilateral, which is far more typical of the general N-a-gon, represents a `diagonal to nondiagonal Bianchi IX minisuperspace' step-up in complexity, and encodes further Problem of Time subtleties. The shape space now being CP^2 with isometry group SU(3)/Z_3, I now need to draw on Geometry, Shape Statistics and Particle Physics to solve this model; this is therefore an interdisciplinary paper. This Paper treats quadrilateralland at the classical level, and then Paper II provides a quantum treatment.

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arXiv2013

Machian Classical and Semiclassical Emergent Time

Classical and semiclassical schemes are presented that are timeless at the primary level and recover time from Mach's `time is to be abstracted from change' principle at the emergent secondary level. The semiclassical scheme is a Machian variant of the Semiclassical Approach to the Problem of Time in Quantum Gravity. The classical scheme is Barbour's, cast here explicitly as the classical precursor of the Semiclassical Approach. Thus the two schemes have been married up, as equally-Machian and necessarily distinct, since quantum change is part of whence the latter's timestandard is abstracted.

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arXiv2013

Kerr-Newman Black Hole Thermodynamical State Space: Blockwise Coordinates

A coordinate system that blockwise-simplifies the Kerr-Newman black hole's thermodynamical state space Ruppeiner metric geometry is constructed, with discussion of the limiting cases corresponding to simpler black holes. It is deduced that one of the three conformal Killing vectors of the Reissner-Nordstrom and Kerr cases (whose thermodynamical state space metrics are 2 by 2 and conformally flat) survives generalization to the Kerr-Newman case's 3 by 3 thermodynamical state space metric.

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arXiv2013

On Background Independence

This paper concerns what Background Independence itself is (as opposed to some particular physical theory that is background independent). The notions presented mostly arose from a layer-by-layer analysis of the facets of the Problem of Time in Quantum Gravity. Part of this coincides with two relational postulates which are thus identified as classical precursors of two of the facets of the Problem of Time. These are furthemore tied to the forms of each of the GR Hamiltonian and momentum constraints. Other aspects of Background Independence include the algebraic closure of these constraints, expressing physics in terms of beables, foliation independence as implemented by refoliation invariance, the reconstruction of spacetime from space. The final picture is that Background Independence - a philosophically desirable and physically implementable feature for a theory to have - has the facets of the Problem of Time among its consequences. Thus these arise naturally and are problems to be resolved, as opposed to avoided `by making one's physics background-dependent in order not to have these problems'. This serves as a selection criterion that limits the use of a number of model arenas and physical theories.

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arXiv2013

Shape Quantities for Relational Quadrilateralland

I investigate useful shape quantities for the classical and quantum mechanics of the relational quadrilateral in 2-d. This is relational in the sense that only relative times, relative ratios of separations and relative angles are significant. Relational particle mechanics models such as this paper's have many analogies with the geometrodynamical formulation of general relativity. This renders them suitable as toy models for 1) studying Problem of Time in Quantum Gravity strategies, in particular timeless, semiclassical and histories theory approaches and combinations of these. 2) For consideration of various other quantum-cosmological issues, such as structure formation/inhomogeneity and notions of uniform states and their significance. The relational quadrilateral is more useful in these respects than previously investigated simpler RPM's due to simultaneously possessing linear constraints, nontrivial subsystems and nontrivial complex-projective mathematics. Such shape have been found to be useful in simpler relational models such as the relational triangle and in 1-d.

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arXiv2013

Relational Quadrilateralland Interpretation of CP^2 and Quotients

I investigate qualitatively significant regions of the configuration space for the classical and quantum mechanics of the relational quadrilateral in 2-d. This is relational in the sense that only relative ratios of separations, relative angles and relative times are significant. Such relational particle mechanics models have many analogies with the geometrodynamical formulation of general relativity. Thus, they are suitable as toy models for studying 1) problem of time in quantum gravity strategies, in particular timeless, semiclassical and histories theory approaches and combinations of these. 2) Various other quantum-cosmological issues, such as structure formation/inhomogeneity and the significance of uniform states. The relational quadrilateral is more useful in these respects than previously investigated simpler RPM's as it possesses linear constraints, nontrivial subsystems and its configuration space is a nontrivial complex-projective space. In this paper, I investigate the submanifold of collinear configurations, the submanifolds with a single-particle collision, the square configurations and regions of the configuration space for which such as approximate collinearity, approximate squareness and approximate triangularity hold. I consider both mirror image identified and unidentified shapes, as well as both distinguishable and indistinguishable particle labels. I find the following CP^2 coordinate systems to be useful to these ends. 1) Kuiper's coordinates, which, for quadrilateralland, are magnitudes of the Jacobi vectors and anisoscelesnesses of the triangles formed between them. 2) Gibbons-Pope type coordinates, which, for quadrilateralland, are the sum and difference of relative angles between subsystems, the ratio of size of 2 subsystems and the proportion of universe model occupied by the subsystems.

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arXiv2013

Relational Quadrilateralland. Analogues of Isospin and Hypercharge

I consider the momenta and conserved quantities for CP^2 interpreted as the space of quadrilaterals. This builds on seminar I and II's kinematics via making use of MacFarlane's work considering the SU(3)-like (and thus particle physics-like) conserved quantities that occur for CP^2. I perform the additional step of further interpreting that as the configuration space of all relational quadrilaterals and thus an interesting toy model for whole-universe, relational and geometrodynamical-analogue physics. I also provide the Kuchar observables for the quadrilateral, which is a particular resolution of the Problem of Observables. I study HO-like and highly symmetric potentials. I also provide some exact solutions and qualitative behaviours for dynamics on CP^2. In each case, I reinterpret the results in terms of quadrilaterals. This paves the way for the quantum mechanical study of the relational quadrilateral and for investigations of a number of Problem of Time strategies and of a number of other foundational and qualitative investigations of Quantum Cosmology.

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