arXiv subjects

Giampiero Esposito

Publications and source records attributed to Giampiero Esposito.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Quantum time delay in the gravitational field of a rotating mass

We examine quantum corrections of time delay arising in the gravitational field of a spinning oblate source. Low-energy quantum effects occurring in Kerr geometry are derived within a framework where general relativity is fully seen as an effective field theory. By employing such a pattern, gravitational radiative modifications of Kerr metric are derived from the energy-momentum tensor of the source, which at lowest order in the fields is modelled as a point mass. Therefore, in order to describe a quantum corrected version of time delay in the case in which the source body has a finite extension, we introduce a hybrid scheme where quantum fluctuations affect only the monopole term occurring in the multipole expansion of the Newtonian potential. The predicted quantum deviation from the corresponding classical value turns out to be too small to be detected in the next future, showing that new models should be examined in order to test low-energy quantum gravity within the solar system.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Solar system dynamics in general relativity

Recent work in the literature has advocated using the Earth-Moon-planetoid Lagrangian points as observables, in order to test general relativity and effective field theories of gravity in the solar system. However, since the three-body problem of classical celestial mechanics is just an approximation of a much more complicated setting, where all celestial bodies in the solar system are subject to their mutual gravitational interactions, while solar radiation pressure and other sources of nongravitational perturbations also affect the dynamics, it is conceptually desirable to improve the current understanding of solar system dynamics in general relativity, as a first step towards a more accurate theoretical study of orbital motion in the weak-gravity regime. For this purpose, starting from the Einstein equations in the de Donder-Lanczos gauge, this paper arrives first at the Levi-Civita Lagrangian for the geodesic motion of celestial bodies, showing in detail under which conditions the effects of internal structure and finite extension get cancelled in general relativity to first post-Newtonian order. The resulting nonlinear ordinary differential equations for the motion of planets and satellites are solved for the Earth's orbit about the Sun, written down in detail for the Sun-Earth-Moon system, and investigated for the case of planar motion of a body immersed in the gravitational field produced by the other bodies (e.g. planets with their satellites). At this stage, we prove an exact property, according to which the fourth-order time derivative of the original system leads to a linear system of ordinary differential equations. This opens an interesting perspective on forthcoming research on planetary motions in general relativity within the solar system, although the resulting equations remain a challenge for numerical and qualitative studies.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

From pseudo-holomorphic functions to the associated real manifold

This paper studies first the differential inequalities that make it possible to build a global theory of pseudo-holomorphic functions in the case of one or several complex variables. In the case of one complex dimension, we prove that the differential inequalities describing pseudo-holomorphic functions can be used to define a one-real-dimensional manifold (by the vanishing of a function with nonzero gradient), which is here a 1-parameter family of plane curves. On studying the associated envelopes, such a parameter can be eliminated by solving two nonlinear partial differential equations. The classical differential geometry of curves can be therefore exploited to get a novel perspective on the equations describing the global theory of pseudo-holomorphic functions.

math.CV↗

arXiv2016

Earth-Moon Lagrangian points as a testbed for general relativity and effective field theories of gravity

In the restricted four-body problem consisting of the Earth, the Moon and the Sun as the primaries and a spacecraft as the planetoid, we take into account the solar perturbation in the description of the motion of a spacecraft in the vicinity of the stable Earth-Moon libration points L4 and L5 both in the classical regime and in the context of effective field theories of gravity. We then evaluate the location of all Lagrangian points in the Earth-Moon system within the framework of general relativity. For the points L4 and L5, the corrections of coordinates are of order a few millimeters. After that, we set up a scheme where the theory which is quantum corrected has as its classical counterpart the Einstein theory, instead of the Newtonian one. By virtue of the effective-gravity correction to the longdistance form of the potential among two point masses, all terms involving the ratio between the gravitational radius of the primary and its separation from the planetoid get modified. Within this framework, for the Lagrangian points of stable equilibrium, we find quantum corrections of order two millimeters, whereas for Lagrangian points of unstable equilibrium we find quantum corrections below a millimeter. Finally, general relativity corrections to Newtonian position of collinear Lagrangian points turn out to be below the millimiter, whereas on stable equilibrium points they are of order of a few millimiters.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

A parametrix for quantum gravity?

In the sixties, DeWitt discovered that the advanced and retarded Green functions of the wave operator on metric perturbations in the de Donder gauge make it possible to define classical Poisson brackets on the space of functionals that are invariant under the action of the full diffeomorphism group of spacetime. He therefore tried to exploit this property to define invariant commutators for the quantized gravitational field, but the operator counterpart of such classical Poisson brackets turned out to be a hard task. On the other hand, the mathematical literature studies often an approximate inverse, the parametrix, which is, strictly, a distribution. We here suggest that such a construction might be exploited in canonical quantum gravity. We begin with the simplest case, i.e. fundamental solution and parametrix for the linear, scalar wave operator; the next step are tensor wave equations, again for linear theory, e.g. Maxwell theory in curved spacetime. Last, the nonlinear Einstein equations are studied, relying upon the well-established Choquet-Bruhat construction, according to which the fifth derivatives of solutions of a nonlinear hyperbolic system solve a linear hyperbolic system. The latter is solved by means of Kirchhoff-type formulas, while the former fifth-order equations can be solved by means of well-established parametrix techniques for elliptic operators. But then the metric components that solve the vacuum Einstein equations can be obtained by convolution of such a parametrix with Kirchhoff-type formulas. Some basic functional equations for the parametrix are also obtained, that help in studying classical and quantum version of the Jacobi identity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Geometry and physics of pseudodifferential operators on manifolds

A review is made of the basic tools used in mathematics to define a calculus for pseudodifferential operators on Riemannian manifolds endowed with a connection: esistence theorem for the function that generalizes the phase; analogue of Taylor's theorem; torsion and curvature terms in the symbolic calculus; the two kinds of derivative acting on smooth sections of the cotangent bundle of the Riemannian manifold; the concept of symbol as an equivalence class. Physical motivations and applications are then outlined, with emphasis on Green functions of quantum field theory and Parker's evaluation of Hawking radiation.

math-ph↗

arXiv2016

Late-time evolution of cosmological models with fluids obeying a Shan-Chen-like equation of state

Classical as well as quantum features of the late-time evolution of cosmological models with fluids obeying a Shan-Chen-like equation of state are studied. The latter is of the type $p=w_{\rm eff}(ρ)\,ρ$, and has been used in previous works to describe, e.g., a possible scenario for the growth of the dark-energy content of the present Universe. At the classical level the fluid dynamics in a spatially flat Friedmann-Robertson-Walker background implies the existence of two possible equilibrium solutions depending on the model parameters, associated with (asymptotic) finite pressure and energy density. We show that no future cosmological singularity is developed during the evolution for this specific model. The corresponding quantum effects in the late-time behavior of the system are also investigated within the framework of quantum geometrodynamics, i.e., by solving the (minisuperspace) Wheeler-DeWitt equation in the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, constructing wave-packets and analyzing their behavior.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Archimedes: a feasibility study of an experiment to weigh the electromagnetic vacuum

Archimedes is a feasibility study of a future experiment to ascertain the interaction of vacuum fluctuations with gravity. The experiment should measure the force that the earth's gravitational field exerts on a Casimir cavity by using a small force detector. Here we analyse the main parameters of the experiment and we present its conceptual scheme, which overcomes in principle the most critical problems.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

The Archimedes experiment

Archimedes is an INFN-funded pathfinder experiment aimed at verifying the feasibility of measuring the interaction of vacuum fluctuations with gravity. The final experiment will measure the force exerted by the gravitational field on a Casimir cavity whose vacuum energy is modulated with a superconductive transition, by using a balance as a small force detector. Archimedes is a two-year project devoted to test the most critical experimental aspects, in particular the balance resonance frequency and quality factor, the thermal modulation efficiency and the superconductive sample realization.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Boosted Horizon of a Boosted Space-Time Geometry

We apply the ultrarelativistic boosting procedure to map the metric of Schwarzschild-de Sitter spacetime into a metric describing de Sitter spacetime plus a shock-wave singularity located on a null hypersurface, by exploiting the picture of the embedding of an hyperboloid in a five-dimensional Minkowski spacetime. After reverting to the usual four-dimensional formalism, we also solve the geodesic equation and evaluate the Riemann curvature tensor of the boosted Schwarzschild-de Sitter metric by means of numerical calculations, which make it possible to reach the ultrarelativistic regime gradually by letting the boost velocity approach the speed of light. Eventually, the analysis of the Kretschmann invariant (and of the geodesic equation) shows the global structure of space- time, as we demonstrate the presence of a "scalar curvature singularity" within a 3-sphere and find that it is also possible to define what we have called "boosted horizon", a sort of elastic wall where all particles are surprisingly pushed away. This seems to suggest that such "boosted geometries" are ruled by a sort of "antigravity effect" since all geodesics seem to refuse entering the "boosted horizon" and are "reflected" by it, even though their initial conditions are aimed at driving the particles towards the "boosted horizon" itself.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Riemann curvature of a boosted spacetime geometry

The ultrarelativistic boosting procedure had been applied in the literature to map the metric of Schwarzschild-de Sitter spacetime into a metric describing de Sitter spacetime plus a shock-wave singularity located on a null hypersurface. This paper evaluates the Riemann curvature tensor of the boosted Schwarzschild-de Sitter metric by means of numerical calculations, which make it possible to reach the ultrarelativistic regime gradually by letting the boost velocity approach the speed of light. Thus, for the first time in the literature, the singular limit of curvature through Dirac's delta distribution and its derivatives is numerically evaluated for this class of spacetimes. Eventually, the analysis of the Kretschmann invariant and the geodesic equation show that the spacetime possesses a scalar curvature singularity within a 3-sphere and it is possible to define what we here call boosted horizon, a sort of elastic wall where all particles are surprisingly pushed away, as numerical analysis demonstrates. This seems to suggest that boosted geometries are ruled by a sort of antigravity effect since all geodesics seem to refuse to enter the boosted horizon, even though their initial conditions are aimed at driving the particles towards the boosted horizon.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Is there a quantum gravity effect on the cosmic microwave background power spectrum?

An assessment is made of recent attempts to evaluate how quantum gravity may affect the anisotropy spectrum of the cosmic microwave background. A perturbative scheme for the solution of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation has been found to allow for enhancement of power at large scales, whereas the alternative predicts a suppression of power at large scales. Both effects are corrections which, although conceptually interesting, turn out to be too small to be detected. Another scheme relies upon a Born-Oppenheimer analysis: by using a perturbative approach to the nonlinear ordinary differential equation obeyed by the two-point function for scalar fluctuations, a new family of power spectra have been obtained and studied by the authors.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Quantum Effects on all Lagrangian Points and Prospects to Measure Them in the Earth-Moon System

The one-loop long distance quantum corrections to the Newtonian potential imply tiny but observable effects in the restricted three-body problem of celestial mechanics, i.e., both at the Lagrangian points of stable equilibrium and at those of unstable equilibrium the Newtonian values of planetoid's coordinates are changed by a few millimetres in the Earth-Moon system. First, we find that the equations governing the position of both noncollinear and collinear quantum libration points are algebraic fifth degree and ninth degree equations, respectively. Second, we discuss the prospects to measure, with the help of laser ranging, the above departure from the equilateral triangle picture, which is a challenging task. On the other hand, a modern version of the planetoid is the solar sail, and much progress has been made, in recent years, on the displaced periodic orbits of solar sails at all libration points. By taking into account the quantum corrections to the Newtonian potential, displaced periodic orbits of the solar sail at libration points are again found to exist.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Quantum effects on Lagrangian points and displaced periodic orbits in the Earth-Moon system

Recent work in the literature has shown that the one-loop long distance quantum corrections to the Newtonian potential imply tiny but observable effects in the restricted three-body problem of celestial mechanics, i.e., at the Lagrangian libration points of stable equilibrium the planetoid is not exactly at equal distance from the two bodies of large mass, but the Newtonian values of its coordinates are changed by a few millimeters in the Earth-Moon system. First, we assess such a theoretical calculation by exploiting the full theory of the quintic equation, i.e., its reduction to Bring-Jerrard form and the resulting expression of roots in terms of generalized hypergeometric functions. By performing the numerical analysis of the exact formulas for the roots, we confirm and slightly improve the theoretical evaluation of quantum corrected coordinates of Lagrangian libration points of stable equilibrium. Second, we prove in detail that also for collinear Lagrangian points the quantum corrections are of the same order of magnitude in the Earth-Moon system. Third, we discuss the prospects to measure, with the help of laser ranging, the above departure from the equilateral triangle picture, which is a challenging task. On the other hand, a modern version of the planetoid is the solar sail, and much progress has been made, in recent years, on the displaced periodic orbits of solar sails at all libration points, both stable and unstable. The present paper investigates therefore, eventually, a restricted three-body problem involving Earth, Moon and a solar sail. By taking into account the one-loop quantum corrections to the Newtonian potential, displaced periodic orbits of the solar sail at libration points are again found to exist.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Bicharacteristics and Fourier integral operators in Kasner spacetime

The scalar wave equation in Kasner spacetime is solved, first for a particular choice of Kasner parameters, by relating the integrand in the wave packet to the Bessel functions. An alternative integral representation is also displayed, which relies upon the method of integration in the complex domain for the solution of hyperbolic equations with variable coefficients. In order to study the propagation of wave fronts, we integrate the equations of bicharacteristics which are null geodesics, and we are able to express them, for the first time in the literature, with the help of elliptic integrals for another choice of Kasner parameters. For generic values of the three Kasner parameters, the solution of the Cauchy problem is built through a pair of integral operators, where the amplitude and phase functions in the integrand solve a coupled system of partial differential equations. The first is the so-called transport equation, whereas the second is a nonlinear equation that reduces to the eikonal equation if the amplitude is a slowly varying function. Remarkably, the analysis of such a coupled system is proved to be equivalent to building first an auxiliary covariant vector having vanishing divergence, while all nonlinearities are mapped into solving a covariant generalization of the Ermakov-Pinney equation for the amplitude function. Last, from a linear set of equations for the gradient of the phase one recovers the phase itself. This is the parametrix construction that relies upon Fourier-Maslov integral operators, but with a novel perspective on the nonlinearities in the dispersion relation. Furthermore, the Adomian method for nonlinear partial differential equations is applied to generate a recursive scheme for the evaluation of the amplitude function in the parametrix.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Nonlocal quantum field theory without acausality and nonunitarity at quantum level: is SUSY the key?

The realization of a nonlocal quantum field theory without losing unitarity, gauge invariance and causality is investigated. It is commonly retained that such a formulation is possible at tree level, but at quantum level acausality reappears at one loop. We suggest the the problem of acausality is, in a broad sense, similar to the one about anomalies in quantum field theory. By virtue of this analogy, we suggest that acausal diagrams resulting from the fermionic sector and the bosonic one might cancel each other, with a suitable content of fields and suitable symmetries. As a simple example, we show how supersymmetry can alleviate this problem in a simple and elegant way, i.e., by leading to exact cancellations of harmful diagrams, to all orders of perturbation theory, in the case of a nonlocal Wess-Zumino model. On the other hand, the same is true for a super Yang-Mills model, but in this case, other important acausal diagrams are also originating from supersymmetric D-terms. As a consequence, we conjecture that, for a generic gauge theory, an infinite number of superfields are needed in order to obtain a complete cancellation between all diagrams. This framework is naturally occurring in string theory, where infinite Kaluza-Klein towers of higher-spin fields are generally predicted.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Towards obtaining Green functions for a Casimir cavity in de Sitter spacetime

Recent work in the literature has studied rigid Casimir cavities in a weak gravitational field, or in de Sitter spacetime, or yet other spacetime models. The present review paper studies the difficult problem of direct evaluation of scalar Green functions for a Casimir-type apparatus in de Sitter spacetime. Working to first order in the small parameter of the problem, i.e. twice the gravity acceleration times the plates' separation divided by the speed of light in vacuum, suitable coordinates are considered for which the differential equations obeyed by the zeroth- and first-order Green functions can be solved in terms of special functions. This result can be used, in turn, to obtain, via the point-split method, the regularized and renormalized energy-momentum tensor both in the scalar case and in the physically more relevant electromagnetic case.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

Self-dual road to noncommutative gravity with twist: a new analysis

The field equations of noncommutative gravity can be obtained by replacing all exterior products by twist-deformed exterior products in the action functional of general relativity, and are here studied by requiring that the torsion 2-form should vanish, and that the Lorentz-Lie-algebra- valued part of the full connection 1-form should be self-dual. Other two conditions, expressing self-duality of a pair 2-forms occurring in the full curvature 2-form, are also imposed. This leads to a systematic solution strategy, here displayed for the first time, where all parts of the connection 1-form are first evaluated, hence the full curvature 2-form, and eventually all parts of the tetrad 1-form, when expanded on the basis of γ-matrices. By assuming asymptotic expansions which hold up to first order in the noncommutativity matrix in the neighbourhood of the vanishing value for noncommutativity, we find a family of self-dual solutions of the field equations. This is generated by solving first a inhomogeneous wave equation on 1-forms in a classical curved spacetime (which is itself self-dual and solves the vacuum Einstein equations), subject to the Lorenz gauge condition. In particular, when the classical undeformed geometry is Kasner spacetime, the above scheme is fully computable out of solutions of the scalar wave equation in such a Kasner model.

hep-th↗