arXiv subjects

Giampiero Esposito

Publications and source records attributed to Giampiero Esposito.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Poincaré asymptotic expansion in black hole theory

In studying the dynamics of fields in black hole theory, the method of separation of variables makes it possible to isolate the radial part of the full solution in many important physical cases. This occurs by virtue of the existence of the principal tensor in Petrov-D metrics. We first review this mathematical result in order to introduce several cases where it is possible to study the radial solution via the Poincaré asymptotic series expansion, a tool exploited in recent work by the authors in order to investigate the behaviour of the field at spacelike infinity, a point in the neighbourhood of which only approximate solutions are computable by virtue of its irregular nature. We obtain a series which can be computed to any degree of accuracy, allowing for a deeper analysis of this challenging spacetime region. An application to quasinormal modes is eventually provided.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

Bekenstein-Hawking temperature from the Schwarzian

Hawking's original derivation of particle creation by black holes in Schwarzschild spacetime exploits, among various concepts, the exponential dependence on the retarded time variable u of the affine parameter λof the null geodesics that are integral curves of the null vector field orthogonal to the Killing horizon. This exponential law implies that the Schwarzian derivative of λwith respect to u is minus a half the square of surface gravity. The black hole Killing horizon inherits an intrinsic projective structure, and the squared surface gravity is the invariant characterizing such a structure. There is therefore evidence that the Bekenstein-Hawking temperature is completely determined from the projective structure on the Killing horizon. As a further test, it is here shown that, in a spacetime model with variable mass parameter, the logarithmic derivative of surface gravity is determined by the Schwarzian of the affine parameter. The Schwarzian in Schwarzschild and Kerr geometries is also studied in detail. All these properties are a first step towards proving that black hole thermodynamics finds its mathematical foundations in the projective geometry of Killing horizons. Such a research program can be applied to the power radiated from a black hole, the rate of change of the black hole mass with respect to the area of the event horizon, the fundamental imaginary frequency of quasinormal modes (and hence the decay rate of black hole perturbations).

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Projective path to points at infinity in spherically symmetric spacetimes

This paper proves that, in a four-dimensional spherically symmetric spacetime manifold, one can consider coordinate transformations expressed by fractional linear maps which give rise to isometries and are the simplest example of coordinate transformation used to bring infinity down to a finite distance. The projective boundary of spherically symmetric spacetimes here studied is the disjoint union of three points: future timelike infinity, past timelike infinity, spacelike infinity, and the three-dimensional products of half-lines with a 2-sphere. Geodesics are then studied in the projectively transformed (t',r',theta',phi') coordinates for Schwarzschild spacetime, with special interest in their way of approaching our points at infinity. Next, Nariai, de Sitter and Godel spacetimes are studied with our projective method. Since the kinds of infinity here defined depend only on the symmetry of interest in a spacetime manifold, they have a broad range of applications, which motivate the innovative analysis of Schwarzschild, Nariai, de Sitter and Godel spacetimes.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

On the physical and mathematical foundations of quantum physics via functional integrals

In order to preserve the leading role of the action principle in formulating all field theories one needs quantum field theory, with the associated BRST symmetry, and Feynman-DeWitt-Faddeev-Popov ghost fields. Such fields result from the fibre-bundle structure of the space of histories, but the physics-oriented literature used them formally because a rigorous theory of measure and integration was lacking. Motivated by this framework, this paper exploits previous work of Gill and Zachary, where the use of Banach spaces for the Feynman integral was proposed. The Henstock-Kurzweil integral is first introduced, because it makes it possible to integrate functions like the exponential of (i times x squared). The Lebesgue measure on R(infinity) is then built and used to define the measure on every separable Hilbert space. The subsequent step is the construction of a new Hilbert space KS2, which contains square-integrable functions on R**n as a continuous dense embedding, and contains both the test functions and their dual, the Schwartz space of distributions, as continuous embeddings. This space allows us to construct the Feynman path integral in a manner that maintains its intuitive and computational advantages. We also extend this space to KS2[H], where H is any separable Banach space. Last, the existence of a unique universal definition of time, tau(h), that we call historical time, is proved. We use tau(h) as the order parameter for our construction of Feynman's time ordered operator calculus, which in turn is used to extend the path integral in order to include all time dependent groups and semigroups with a kernel.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

New perspectives on the irregular singular point of the wave equation for a massive scalar field in Schwarzschild spacetime

For a massive scalar field in a fixed Schwarzschild background, the radial wave equation obeyed by Fourier modes is first studied. After reducing such a radial wave equation to its normal form, we first study approximate solutions in the neighborhood of the origin, horizon and point at infinity, and then we relate the radial with the Heun equation, obtaining local solutions at the regular singular points. Moreover, we obtain the full asymptotic expansion of the local solution in the neighborhood of the irregular singular point at infinity. We also obtain and study the associated integral representation of the massive scalar field. Eventually, the technique developed for the irregular singular point is applied to the homogeneous equation associated with the inhomogeneous Zerilli equation for gravitational perturbations in a Schwarzschild background.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Nariai spacetime: orbits, scalar self force and Poynting-Robertson-like external force

After studying properties of the Nariai solution, including its geodesics, in spherical and de Sitter coordinates, two kinds of accelerated motion are investigated in detail: either observers at rest with respect to the coordinates, or observers in radial motion. Next, massless scalar perturbations of Nariai spacetime in absence of sources are worked out, and an explicit example out of the black hole context of analytic self-force calculation is obtained. Last, self-force effects are studied as well, together with some variant of the type of Poynting-Robertson external force, and also building a test electromagnetic field and a test gravitational field in Nariai spacetime geometry

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Homogeneous projective coordinates for the Bondi-Metzner-Sachs group

This paper studies the Bondi-Metzner-Sachs group in homogeneous projective coordinates, because it is then possible to write all transformations of such a group in a manifestly linear way. The 2-sphere metric, Bondi-Metzner-Sachs metric, asymptotic Killing vectors, generators of supertranslations, as well as boosts and rotations of Minkowski spacetime, are all re-expressed in homogeneous projective coordinates. Last, the integral curves of vector fields which generate supertranslations are evaluated in detail. This work prepares the ground for more advanced applications of the differential geometry of asymptotically flat spacetimes in projective coordinates.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

A geometric framework for interstellar discourse on fundamental physical structures

This paper considers the possibility that abstract thinking and advanced synthesis skills might encourage extraterrestrial civilizations to accept communication with mankind on Earth. For this purpose, a notation not relying upon the use of alphabet and numbers is proposed, in order to denote just some basic geometric structures of current physical theories: vector fields, one-form fields, and tensor fields of arbitrary order. An advanced civilization might appreciate the way here proposed to achieve a concise description of electromagnetism and general relativity, and hence it might accept the challenge of responding to our signals. The abstract symbols introduced in this paper to describe the basic structures of physical theories are encoded into black and white bitmap images that can be easily converted into short bit sequences and modulated on a carrier wave for radio transmission.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2023

On the nature of Bondi-Metzner-Sachs transformations

This paper investigates first the four branches of BMS transformations, motivated by the classification into elliptic, parabolic, hyperbolic and loxodromic proposed a few years ago in the literature. We first prove that to each normal elliptic transformation of the complex variable zeta used in the metric for cuts of null infinity there corresponds a BMS supertranslation. We then study the conformal factor in the BMS transformation of the u variable as a function of the squared modulus of zeta. In the loxodromic and hyperbolic cases, the conformal factor is either monotonically increasing or monotonically decreasing as a function of the real variable given by the modulus of zeta. The Killing vector field of the Bondi metric is also studied in correspondence with the four admissible families of BMS transformations. Eventually, all BMS transformations are re-expressed in the homogeneous coordinates suggested by projective geometry. It is then found that BMS transformations are the restriction to a pair of unit circles of a more general set of transformations. Within this broader framework, the geometry of such transformations is studied by means of its Segre manifold.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

DeWitt boundary condition in one-loop quantum cosmology

DeWitt's suggestion that the wave function of the universe should vanish at the classical big-bang singularity is here considered within the framework of one-loop quantum cosmology. For pure gravity at one loop about a flat four-dimensional background bounded by a 3-sphere, three choices of boundary conditions are considered: vanishing of the linearized magnetic curvature when only transverse-traceless gravitational modes are quantized; a one-parameter family of mixed boundary conditions for gravitational and ghost modes; diffeomorphism invariant boundary conditions for metric perturbations and ghost modes. A positive zeta(0) value in these cases ensures that, when the 3-sphere boundary approaches zero, the resulting one-loop wave function approaches zero. This property may be interpreted by saying that, in the limit of small three-geometry, the resulting one-loop wave function describes a singularity-free universe. This property holds for one-loop functional integrals, which are not necessarily equivalent to solutions of the quantum constraint equations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

Generating rotating black hole solutions by using the Cayley-Dickson construction

This paper exploits the power of the Cayley-Dickson algebra to generate stationary rotating black hole solutions in one fell swoop. Specifically, we derive the nine-dimensional Myers-Perry solution with four independent angular momenta by using the Janis-Newman algorithm and Giampieri's simplification method, exploiting the octonion algebra. A general formula relating the dimension of the Cayley-Dickson algebra with the maximum number of angular momenta in each dimension is derived. Finally, we discuss the cut-off dimension for using the Cayley-Dickson construction along with the Janis-Newman algorithm for producing the rotating solutions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Geodesic motion in Euclidean Schwarzschild geometry

This paper performs a systematic investigation of geodesic motion in Euclidean Schwarzschild geometry, which is studied in the equatorial plane. The explicit form of geodesic motion is obtained in terms of incomplete elliptic integrals of first, second and third kind. No elliptic-like orbits exist in Euclidean Schwarzschild geometry, unlike the corresponding Lorentzian pattern. Among unbounded orbits, only unbounded first-kind orbits are allowed, unlike general relativity where unbounded second-kind orbits are always allowed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Discontinuous normals in non-Euclidean geometries and two-dimensional gravity

This paper builds two detailed examples of generalized normal in non-Euclidean spaces, i.e. the hyperbolic and elliptic geometries. In the hyperbolic plane we define a n-sided hyperbolic polygon P, which is the Euclidean closure of the hyperbolic plane H, bounded by n hyperbolic geodesic segments. The polygon P is built by considering the unique geodesic that connects the n+2 vertices (tilde z),z0,z1,...,z(n-1),z(n). The geodesics that link the vertices are Euclidean semicircles centred on the real axis. The vector normal to the geodesic linking two consecutive vertices is evaluated and turns out to be discontinuous. Within the framework of elliptic geometry, we solve the geodesic equation and construct a geodesic triangle. Also in this case, we obtain a discontinuous normal vector field. Last, the possible application to two-dimensional Euclidean quantum gravity is outlined.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Numerov and phase-integral methods for charmonium

This paper applies the Numerov and phase-integral methods to the stationary Schrodinger equation that studies bound states of charm anti-charm quarks. The former is a numerical method well suited for a matrix form of second-order ordinary di erential equations, and can be applied whenever the stationary states admit a Taylor-series expansion. The latter is an analytic method that provides, in principle, even exact solutions of the stationary Schrodinger equation, and well suited for applying matched asymptotic expansions and higher order quantization conditions. The Numerov method is found to be always in agreement with the early results of Eichten et al., whereas an original evaluation of the phase-integral quantization condition clarifies under which conditions the previous results in the literature on higher-order terms can be obtained.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Fractional linear maps in general relativity and quantum mechanics

This paper studies the nature of fractional linear transformations in a general relativity context as well as in a quantum theoretical framework. Two features are found to deserve special attention: the first is the possibility of separating the limit-point condition at infinity into loxodromic, hyperbolic, parabolic and elliptic cases. This is useful in a context in which one wants to look for a correspondence between essentially self-adjoint spherically symmetric Hamiltonians of quantum physics and the theory of Bondi-Metzner-Sachs transformations in general relativity. The analogy therefore arising, suggests that further investigations might be performed for a theory in which the role of fractional linear maps is viewed as a bridge between the quantum theory and general relativity. The second aspect to point out is the possibility of interpreting the limit-point condition at both ends of the positive real line, for a second-order singular differential operator, which occurs frequently in applied quantum mechanics, as the limiting procedure arising from a very particular Kleinian group which is the hyperbolic cyclic group. In this framework, this work finds that a consistent system of equations can be derived and studied. Hence one is led to consider the entire transcendental functions, from which it is possible to construct a fundamental system of solutions of a second-order differential equation with singular behavior at both ends of the positive real line, which in turn satisfy the limit-point conditions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

An analytic approach to the Riemann hypothesis

In this work we consider an equation for the Riemann zeta-function in the critical half-strip. With the help of this equation we prove that finding non-trivial zeros of the Riemann zeta-function outside the critical line would be equivalent to the existence of complex numbers for which equation (5.1) in the paper holds. Such a condition is studied, and the attempt of proving the Riemann hypothesis is found to involve also the functional equation (6.26), where t is a real variable bigger than or equal to 1 and n is any natural number. The limiting behavior of the solutions as t approaches 1 is then studied in detail.

math.CV↗

arXiv2021

What is a reduced boundary in general relativity?

The concept of boundary plays an important role in several branches of general relativity, e.g., the variational principle for the Einstein equations, the event horizon and the apparent horizon of black holes, the formation of trapped surfaces. On the other hand, in a branch of mathematics known as geometric measure theory, the usefulness has been discovered long ago of yet another concept, i.e., the reduced boundary of a finite-perimeter set. This paper proposes therefore a definition of finite-perimeter sets and their reduced boundary in general relativity. Moreover, a basic integral formula of geometric measure theory is evaluated explicitly in the relevant case of Euclidean Schwarzschild geometry, for the first time in the literature. This research prepares the ground for a measure-theoretic approach to several concepts in gravitational physics, supplemented by geometric insight. Moreover, such an investigation suggests considering the possibility that the in-out amplitude for Euclidean quantum gravity should be evaluated over finite-perimeter Riemannian geometries that match the assigned data on their reduced boundary. As a possible application, an analysis is performed of the basic formulae leading eventually to the corrections of the intrinsic quantum mechanical entropy of a black hole.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2021

Divergent part of the stress-energy tensor for Maxwell's theory in curved space-time: a systematic derivation

In this paper the Feynman Green function for Maxwell's theory in curved space-time is studied by using the Fock-Schwinger-DeWitt asymptotic expansion; the point-splitting method is then applied, since it is a valuable tool for regularizing divergent observables. Among these, the stress-energy tensor is expressed in terms of second covariant derivatives of the Hadamard Green function, which is also closely linked to the effective action; therefore one obtains a series expansion for the stress-energy tensor. Its divergent part can be isolated, and a concise formula is here obtained: by dimensional analysis and combinatorics, there are two kinds of terms: quadratic in curvature tensors (Riemann, Ricci tensors and scalar curvature) and linear in their second covariant derivatives. This formula holds for every space-time metric; it is made even more explicit in the physically relevant particular cases of Ricci-flat and maximally symmetric spaces, and fully evaluated for some examples of physical interest: Kerr and Schwarzschild metrics and de Sitter space-time.

gr-qc↗