arXiv subjects

Giampiero Esposito

Publications and source records attributed to Giampiero Esposito.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Quantum gravity: unification of principles and interactions, and promises of spectral geometry

Quantum gravity was born as that branch of modern theoretical physics that tries to unify its guiding principles, i.e., quantum mechanics and general relativity. Nowadays it is providing new insight into the unification of all fundamental interactions, while giving rise to new developments in modern mathematics. It is however unclear whether it will ever become a falsifiable physical theory, since it deals with Planck-scale physics. Reviewing a wide range of spectral geometry from index theory to spectral triples, we hope to dismiss the general opinion that the mere mathematical complexity of the unification programme will obstruct that programme.

hep-th↗

arXiv2007

Noether symmetry approach to scalar-field-dominated cosmology with dynamically evolving G and Lambda

This paper studies the cosmological equations for a scalar field Phi in the framework of a quantum gravity modified Einstein--Hilbert Lagrangian where G and Lambda are dynamical variables. It is possible to show that there exists a Noether symmetry for the point Lagrangian describing this scheme in a FRW universe. Our main result is that the Noether Symmetry Approach fixes both Lambda = Lambda(G) and the potential V = V(Phi) of the scalar field. The method does not lead, however, to easily solvable equations, by virtue of the higher dimensionality of the reduced configuration space involved, the additional variable being the running Newton coupling.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Black hole evaporation in a spherically symmetric non-commutative space-time

Recent work in the literature has studied the quantum-mechanical decay of a Schwarzschild-like black hole, formed by gravitational collapse, into almost-flat space-time and weak radiation at a very late time. The relevant quantum amplitudes have been evaluated for bosonic and fermionic fields, showing that no information is lost in collapse to a black hole. On the other hand, recent developments in noncommutative geometry have shown that, in general relativity, the effects of non-commutativity can be taken into account by keeping the standard form of the Einstein tensor on the left-hand side of the field equations and introducing a modified energy-momentum tensor as a source on the right-hand side. Relying on the recently obtained non-commutativity effect on a static, spherically symmetric metric, we have considered from a new perspective the quantum amplitudes in black hole evaporation. The general relativity analysis of spin-2 amplitudes has been shown to be modified by a multiplicative factor F depending on a constant non-commutativity parameter and on the upper limit R of the radial coordinate. Limiting forms of F have been derived which are compatible with the adiabatic approximation.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

On boosted space-times with cosmological constant and their ultrarelativistic limit

The problem of deriving a shock-wave geometry with cosmological constant by boosting a Schwarzschild-de Sitter (or anti-de Sitter) black hole is re-examined. Unlike previous work in the literature, we deal with the exact Schwarzschild-de Sitter (or anti-de Sitter) metric. By virtue of peculiar cancellations in this exact calculation, where the metric does not depend linearly on the mass parameter, we find a singularity of distributional nature on a null hypersurface, which corresponds to a shock-wave geometry derived in a fully non-perturbative way. The result agrees with previous calculations, where the metric had been linearized in the mass parameter.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

A new antisymmetric bilinear map for type-I gauge theories

In the case of gauge theories, which are ruled by an infinite-dimensional invariance group, various choices of antisymmetric bilinear maps on field functionals are indeed available. This paper proves first that, within this broad framework, the Peierls map (not yet the bracket) is a member of a larger family. At that stage, restriction to gauge-invariant functionals of the fields, with the associated Ward identities and geometric structure of the space of histories, make it possible to prove that the new map is indeed a Poisson bracket in the simple but relevant case of Maxwell theory. The building blocks are available for gauge theories only: vector fields that leave the action functional invariant; the invertible gauge-field operator, and the Green function of the ghost operator.

hep-th↗

arXiv2007

Relativistic mechanics of Casimir apparatuses in a weak gravitational field

This paper derives a set of general relativistic Cardinal Equations for the equilibrium of an extended body in a uniform gravitational field. These equations are essential for a proper understanding of the mechanics of suspended relativistic systems. As an example, the prototypical case of a suspended vessel filled with radiation is discussed. The mechanics of Casimir apparatuses at rest in the gravitational field of the Earth is then considered. Starting from an expression for the Casimir energy-momentum tensor in a weak gravitational field recently derived by the authors, it is here shown that, in the case of a rigid cavity supported by a stiff mount, the weight of the Casimir energy $E_C$ stored in the cavity corresponds to a gravitational mass $M=E_C/c^2$, in agreement with the covariant conservation law of the regularized energy-momentum tensor. The case of a cavity consisting of two disconnected plates supported by separate mounts, where the two measured forces cannot be obtained by straightforward arguments, is also discussed.

hep-th↗

arXiv2007

The scalar wave equation in a non-commutative spherically symmetric space-time

Recent work in the literature has studied a version of non-commutative Schwarzschild black holes where the effects of non-commutativity are described by a mass function depending on both the radial variable r and a non-commutativity parameter theta. The present paper studies the asymptotic behaviour of solutions of the zero-rest-mass scalar wave equation in such a modified Schwarzschild space-time in a neighbourhood of spatial infinity. The analysis is eventually reduced to finding solutions of an inhomogeneous Euler--Poisson--Darboux equation, where the parameter theta affects explicitly the functional form of the source term. Interestingly, for finite values of theta, there is full qualitative agreement with general relativity: the conformal singularity at spacelike infinity reduces in a considerable way the differentiability class of scalar fields at future null infinity. In the physical space-time, this means that the scalar field has an asymptotic behaviour with a fall-off going on rather more slowly than in flat space-time.

hep-th↗

arXiv2007

Noether symmetry approach in pure gravity with variable G and Lambda

We find exact cosmological solutions when the Newton parameter and the cosmological term are dynamically evolving in a renormalization-group improved Hamiltonian approach. In our derivation we use the Noether symmetry approach, leading to an interesting variable transformation which yields exact and general integration of the cosmological equations. The functional dependence of Lambda on G is determined by the method itself, therefore generalizing previous results on symmetry principles in cosmology. We find new functional relations between Lambda and G, jointly with power-law inflation for pure gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

A spinorial perspective on massless photons

We exploit the fact that, in Minkowski space-time, gamma matrices are possibly more fundamental than the metric to describe how gauge invariance at perturbative level enforces a Lagrangian for spinor electrodynamics with massless photons. The term quadratic in the potential arises naturally in the gauge-fixed Lagrangian but has vanishing coefficient.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Noether symmetry approach in matter-dominated cosmology with variable G and Lambda

In the framework of renormalization-group improved cosmologies, we use the Noether symmetry approach to get exact and general integration of the matter-dominated cosmological equations. This is performed by using an expression of Lambda=Lambda(G) determined by the method itself. We also work out a comparison between such a model and the concordance LambdaCDM model as to the magnitude-redshift relationship, hence showing that no appreciable differences occur.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Push on a Casimir apparatus in a weak gravitational field

The influence of the gravity acceleration on the regularized energy-momentum tensor of the quantized electromagnetic field between two plane parallel conducting plates is derived. We use Fermi coordinates and work to first order in the constant acceleration parameter. A new simple formula for the trace anomaly is found to first order in the constant acceleration, and a more systematic derivation is therefore obtained of the theoretical prediction according to which the Casimir device in a weak gravitational field will experience a tiny push in the upwards direction.

hep-th↗

arXiv2006

Gravitational amplitudes in black-hole evaporation: the effect of non-commutative geometry

Recent work in the literature has studied the quantum-mechanical decay of a Schwarzschild-like black hole, formed by gravitational collapse, into almost-flat space-time and weak radiation at a very late time. The relevant quantum amplitudes have been evaluated for bosonic and fermionic fields, showing that no information is lost in collapse to a black hole. On the other hand, recent developments in noncommutative geometry have shown that, in general relativity, the effects of noncommutativity can be taken into account by keeping the standard form of the Einstein tensor on the left-hand side of the field equations and introducing a modified energy-momentum tensor as a source on the right-hand side. The present paper, relying on the recently obtained noncommutativity effect on a static, spherically symmetric metric, considers from a new perspective the quantum amplitudes in black hole evaporation. The general relativity analysis of spin-2 amplitudes is shown to be modified by a multiplicative factor F depending on a constant non-commutativity parameter and on the upper limit R of the radial coordinate. Limiting forms of F are derived which are compatible with the adiabatic approximation here exploited. Approximate formulae for the particle emission rate are also obtained within this framework.

hep-th↗

arXiv2006

From Peierls brackets to a generalized Moyal bracket for type-I gauge theories

In the space-of-histories approach to gauge fields and their quantization, the Maxwell, Yang--Mills and gravitational field are well known to share the property of being type-I theories, i.e. Lie brackets of the vector fields which leave the action functional invariant are linear combinations of such vector fields, with coefficients of linear combination given by structure constants. The corresponding gauge-field operator in the functional integral for the in-out amplitude is an invertible second-order differential operator. For such an operator, we consider advanced and retarded Green functions giving rise to a Peierls bracket among group-invariant functionals. Our Peierls bracket is a Poisson bracket on the space of all group-invariant functionals in two cases only: either the gauge-fixing is arbitrary but the gauge fields lie on the dynamical sub-space; or the gauge-fixing is a linear functional of gauge fields, which are generic points of the space of histories. In both cases, the resulting Peierls bracket is proved to be gauge-invariant by exploiting the manifestly covariant formalism. Moreover, on quantization, a gauge-invariant Moyal bracket is defined that reduces to i hbar times the Peierls bracket to lowest order in hbar.

hep-th↗

arXiv2006

The Aladin2 experiment: sensitivity study

Aladin2 is an experiment devoted to the first measurement of variations of Casimir energy in a rigid body. The main short-term scientific motivation relies on the possibility of the first demonstration of a phase transition influenced by vacuum fluctuations while, in the long term and in the mainframe of the cosmological constant problem, it can be regarded as the first step towards a measurement of the weight of vacuum energy. In this paper, after a presentation of the guiding principle of the measurement, the experimental apparatus and sensitivity studies on final cavities will be presented.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

Quantum cosmology from three different perspectives

Our review is devoted to three promising research lines in quantum cosmology and the physics of the early universe. The nonperturbative renormalization programme is making encouraging progress that we here assess from the point of view of cosmological applications: Lagrangian and Hamiltonian form of pure gravity with variable G and Lambda; power-law inflation for pure gravity; an accelerating universe without dark energy. In perturbative quantum cosmology, on the other hand, diffeomorphism-invariant boundary conditions lead naturally to a singularity-free one-loop wave function of the universe. Last, but not least, in the braneworld picture one discovers the novel concept of cosmological wave function of the bulk space-time. Its impact on quantum cosmology and singularity avoidance is still, to a large extent, unexplored.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2006

Scalar Casimir effect with non-local boundary conditions

Non-local boundary conditions have been considered in theoretical high-energy physics with emphasis on one-loop quantum cosmology, one-loop conformal anomalies, Bose-Einstein condensation models and spectral branes. We have therefore studied the Wightman function, the vacuum expectation value of the field square and the energy-momentum tensor for a massive scalar field satisfying non-local boundary conditions on a single and two parallel plates. Interestingly, we find that suitable choices of the kernel in the non-local boundary conditions lead to forces acting on the plates that can be repulsive for intermediate distances.

hep-th↗

arXiv2006

Casimir effect with non-local boundary conditions

Non-local boundary conditions have been considered in theoretical high-energy physics with emphasis on one-loop quantum cosmology, one-loop conformal anomalies, Bose-Einstein condensation models and spectral branes. In the present paper, for the first time in the literature, the Wightman function, the vacuum expectation values of the field square and the energy-momentum tensor are investigated for a massive scalar field satisfying non-local boundary conditions on a single plate and on two parallel plates. The vacuum forces acting on the plates are evaluated. Interestingly, suitable choices of the kernel in the non-local boundary conditions lead to forces acting on the plates that can be repulsive for intermediate distances. It is then possible to obtain a locally stable equilibrium value of the interplate distance stabilized by the vacuum forces.

hep-th↗

arXiv2006

Casimir energy and the superconducting phase transition

We study the influence of Casimir energy on the critical field of a superconducting film, and we show that by this means it might be possible to directly measure, for the first time, the variation of Casimir energy that accompanies the superconducting transition. It is shown that this novel approach may also help clarifying the long-standing controversy on the contribution of TE zero modes to the Casimir energy in real materials.

hep-th↗