arXiv subjects

Kevin Morand

Publications and source records attributed to Kevin Morand.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Possible ambient kinematics

In a seminal paper, Bacry and L\'evy-Leblond classified kinematical algebras, a class of Lie algebras encoding the symmetries of spacetime. Homogeneous spacetimes (infinitesimally, Klein pairs) associated to these possible kinematics can be partitioned into four families -- riemannian, lorentzian, galilean and carrollian -- based on the type of invariant metric structure they admit. In this work, we classify possible ambient kinematics -- defined as extensions of kinematical algebras by a scalar ideal -- as well as their associated Klein pairs. Kinematical Klein pairs arising as quotient space along the extra scalar ideal are said to admit a lift into the corresponding ambient Klein pair. While all non-galilean Klein pairs admit a unique -- trivial and torsion-free -- higher-dimensional lift, galilean Klein pairs are constructively shown to admit lifts into two distinct families of ambient Klein pairs. The first family includes the bargmann algebra as well as its curved/torsional avatars while the second family is novel and generically allows lifts into torsional ambient spaces. We further comment on the relation between these two families and the maximally symmetric family of leibnizian Klein pairs.

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

Categories enriched over oplax monoidal categories

We define a notion of category enriched over an oplax monoidal category $V$, extending the usual definition of category enriched over a monoidal category. Even though oplax monoidal structures involve infinitely many functors $V^n\to V$, defining categories enriched over $V$ only requires the lower arity maps $(n \leq 3)$, similarly to the monoidal case. The focal point of the enrichment theory shifts, in the oplax case, from the notion of $V$-category (given by collections of objects and hom-objects together with composition and unit maps) to the one of categories enriched over $V$ (genuine categories equipped with additional structures). One of the merits of the notion of categories enriched over $V$ is that it becomes straightforward to define enriched functors and natural transformations. We show moreover that the resulting 2-category $\mathsf{Cat}_V$ can be put in correspondence (via the theory of distributors) with the 2-category of modules over $V$. We give an example of such an enriched category in the framework of operads: every cocomplete symmetric monoidal category $C$ is enriched over the category of sequences in $C$ endowed with an oplax monoidal structure stemming from the usual operadic composition product, whose monoids are still the operads. As an application of the study of the 2-functor $V\mapsto\mathsf{Cat}_V$, we show that when $V$ is also endowed with a compatible lax monoidal structure - thus forming a lax-oplax duoidal category - the 2-category $\mathsf{Cat}_V$ inherits a lax 2-monoidal structure, thereby generalising the corresponding result when the enrichment base is a braided monoidal category. We illustrate this result by discussing the lax-oplax structure on the category of $(R^\mathrm{e}, R^\mathrm{e})$-bimodules, whose bimonoids are the bialgebroids. We also comment on the relations with other enrichment theories (monoidal, multicategories, skew and lax).

math.CT↗

arXiv2021

Identifying Riemannian singularities with regular non-Riemannian geometry

Admitting non-Riemannian geometries, Double Field Theory extends the notion of spacetime beyond the Riemannian paradigm. We identify a class of singular spacetimes known in General Relativity with regular non-Riemannian geometries. The former divergences merely correspond to coordinate singularities of the generalised metric for the latter. Computed in string frame, they feature an impenetrable non-Riemannian sphere outside of which geodesics are complete with no singular deviation. Approaching the non-Riemannian points, particles freeze and strings become (anti-)chiral.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

A Note on Multi-Oriented Graph Complexes and Deformation Quantization of Lie Bialgebroids

Universal solutions to deformation quantization problems can be conveniently classified by the cohomology of suitable graph complexes. In particular, the deformation quantizations of (finite-dimensional) Poisson manifolds and Lie bialgebras are characterised by an action of the Grothendieck-Teichm\"uller group via one-colored directed and oriented graphs, respectively. In this note, we study the action of multi-oriented graph complexes on Lie bialgebroids and their "quasi" generalisations. Using results due to T. Willwacher and M. Zivkovi\'c on the cohomology of (multi)-oriented graphs, we show that the action of the Grothendieck-Teichm\"uller group on Lie bialgebras and quasi-Lie bialgebras can be generalised to quasi-Lie bialgebroids via graphs with two colors, one of them being oriented. However, this action generically fails to preserve the subspace of Lie bialgebroids. By resorting to graphs with two oriented colors, we instead show the existence of an obstruction to the quantization of a generic Lie bialgebroid in the guise of a new $\mathsf{Lie}_\infty$-algebra structure non-trivially deforming the "big bracket" for Lie bialgebroids. This exotic $\mathsf{Lie}_\infty$-structure can be interpreted as the equivalent in $d=3$ of the Kontsevich-Shoikhet obstruction to the quantization of infinite-dimensional Poisson manifolds (in $d=2$). We discuss the implications of these results with respect to a conjecture due to P. Xu regarding the existence of a quantization map for Lie bialgebroids.

math.QA↗

arXiv2019

Stringy Newton Gravity with $H$-flux

A Symmetry Principle has been shown to augment unambiguously the Einstein Field Equations, promoting the whole closed-string massless NS-NS sector to stringy graviton fields. Here we consider its weak field approximation, take a non-relativistic limit, and derive the stringy augmentation of Newton Gravity: \[ \begin{array}{lll} {\bf{\nabla}^{2}\Phi}=4\pi G \rho+\bf{H}{\bf{\cdot}}\bf{H}\,, \quad&\qquad\bf{\nabla}\bf{\cdot}\bf{H}=0\,, \quad&\qquad {\bf{\nabla}\bf{\times}\bf{H}}=4\pi G\, \bf{K}\,. \end{array} \] Not only the mass density $\rho$ but also the current density $\mathbf{K}$ is intrinsic to matter. Sourcing $\mathbf{H}$ which is of NS-NS $H$-flux origin, $\mathbf{K}$ is nontrivial if the matter is `stringy'. $\mathbf{H}$ contributes quadratically to the Newton potential, but otherwise is decoupled from the point particle dynamics, i.e. $\bf{\ddot{x}}=-\bf{\nabla}\Phi$. We define `stringization' analogous to magnetization and discuss regular as well as monopole-like singular solutions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2019

M. Kontsevich's graph complexes and universal structures on graded symplectic manifolds

In the formulation of his celebrated Formality conjecture, M. Kontsevich introduced a universal version of the deformation theory for the Schouten algebra of polyvector fields on affine manifolds. This universal deformation complex takes the form of a differential graded Lie algebra of graphs, denoted $\mathsf{fGC}_2$, together with an injective morphism towards the Chevalley-Eilenberg complex associated with the Schouten algebra. The latter morphism is given by explicit local formulas making implicit use of the supergeometric interpretation of the Schouten algebra as the algebra of functions on a graded symplectic manifold of degree $1$. The ambition of the present work is to generalise Kontsevich's construction to graded symplectic manifolds of arbitrary degree $n\geq1$. The corresponding graph model is given by the full Kontsevich graph complex $\mathsf{fGC}_d$ where $d=n+1$ stands for the dimension of the associated AKSZ type $\sigma$-model. This generalisation is instrumental to classify universal structures on graded symplectic manifolds. In particular, the zeroth cohomology of the full graph complex $\mathsf{fGC}_{d}$ is shown to act via $\mathsf{Lie}_\infty$-automorphisms on the algebra of functions on graded symplectic manifolds of degree $n$. This generalises the known action of the Grothendieck-Teichm\"{u}ller algebra $\mathfrak{grt}_1\simeq H^0(\mathsf{fGC}_2)$ on the space of polyvector fields. This extended action can in turn be used to generate new universal deformations of Hamiltonian functions, generalising Kontsevich flows on the space of Poisson manifolds to differential graded manifolds of higher degrees. As an application of the general formalism, universal deformations of Courant algebroids via trivalent graphs are presented.

math.QA↗

arXiv2018

Embedding Galilean and Carrollian geometries I. Gravitational waves

The aim of this series of papers is to generalise the ambient approach of Duval et al. regarding the embedding of Galilean and Carrollian geometries inside gravitational waves with parallel rays. In this first part, we propose a generalisation of the embedding of torsionfree Galilean and Carrollian manifolds inside larger classes of gravitational waves. On the Galilean side, the quotient procedure of Duval et al. is extended to gravitational waves endowed with a lightlike hypersurface-orthogonal Killing vector field. This extension is shown to provide the natural geometric framework underlying the generalisation by Lichnerowicz of the Eisenhart lift. On the Carrollian side, a new class of gravitational waves - dubbed Dodgson waves - is introduced and geometrically characterised. Dodgson waves are shown to admit a lightlike foliation by Carrollian manifolds and furthermore to be the largest subclass of gravitational waves satisfying this property. This extended class allows to generalise the embedding procedure to a larger class of Carrollian manifolds that we explicitly identify. As an application of the general formalism, (Anti) de Sitter spacetime is shown to admit a lightlike foliation by codimension one (A)dS Carroll manifolds.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Kaluza-Klein reduction on a maximally non-Riemannian space is moduli-free

We propose a novel Kaluza-Klein scheme which assumes the internal space to be maximally non-Riemannian, meaning that no Riemannian metric can be defined for any subspace. Its description is only possible through Double Field Theory but not within supergravity. We spell out the corresponding Scherk-Schwarz twistable Kaluza--Klein ansatz, and point out that the internal space prevents rigidly any graviscalar moduli. Plugging the same ansatz into higher-dimensional pure Double Field Theory and also to a known doubled-yet-gauged string action, we recover heterotic supergravity as well as heterotic worldsheet action. In this way, we show that 1) supergravity and Yang-Mills theory can be unified into higher-dimensional pure Double Field Theory, free of moduli, and 2) heterotic string theory may have a higher-dimensional non-Riemannian origin.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Classification of non-Riemannian doubled-yet-gauged spacetime

Assuming $\mathbf{O}(D,D)$ covariant fields as the `fundamental' variables, Double Field Theory can accommodate novel geometries where a Riemannian metric cannot be defined, even locally. Here we present a complete classification of such non-Riemannian spacetimes in terms of two non-negative integers, $(n,\bar{n})$, $0\leq n+\bar{n}\leq D$. Upon these backgrounds, strings become chiral and anti-chiral over $n$ and $\bar{n}$ directions respectively, while particles and strings are frozen over the $n+\bar{n}$ directions. In particular, we identify $(0,0)$ as Riemannian manifolds, $(1,0)$ as non-relativistic spacetime, $(1,1)$ as Gomis-Ooguri non-relativistic string, $(D{-1},0)$ as ultra-relativistic Carroll geometry, and $(D,0)$ as Siegel's chiral string. Combined with a covariant Kaluza-Klein ansatz which we further spell, $(0,1)$ leads to Newton-Cartan gravity. Alternative to the conventional string compactifications on small manifolds, non-Riemannian spacetime such as $D=10$, $(3,3)$ may open a new scheme of the dimensional reduction from ten to four.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Connections and dynamical trajectories in generalised Newton-Cartan gravity I. An intrinsic view

The "metric" structure of nonrelativistic spacetimes consists of a one-form (the absolute clock) whose kernel is endowed with a positive-definite metric. Contrarily to the relativistic case, the metric structure and the torsion do not determine a unique Galilean (i.e. compatible) connection. This subtlety is intimately related to the fact that the timelike part of the torsion is proportional to the exterior derivative of the absolute clock. When the latter is not closed, torsionfreeness and metric-compatibility are thus mutually exclusive. We will explore generalisations of Galilean connections along the two corresponding alternative roads in a series of papers. In the present one, we focus on compatible connections and investigate the equivalence problem (i.e. the search for the necessary data allowing to uniquely determine connections) in the torsionfree and torsional cases. More precisely, we characterise the affine structure of the spaces of such connections and display the associated model vector spaces. In contrast with the relativistic case, the metric structure does not single out a privileged origin for the space of metric-compatible connections. In our construction, the role of the Levi-Civita connection is played by a whole class of privileged origins, the so-called torsional Newton-Cartan (TNC) geometries recently investigated in the literature. Finally, we discuss a generalisation of Newtonian connections to the torsional case.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Connections and dynamical trajectories in generalised Newton-Cartan gravity II. An ambient perspective

Connections compatible with degenerate metric structures are known to possess peculiar features: on the one hand, the compatibility conditions involve restrictions on the torsion; on the other hand, torsionfree compatible connections are not unique, the arbitrariness being encoded in a tensor field whose type depends on the metric structure. Nonrelativistic structures typically fall under this scheme, the paradigmatic example being a contravariant degenerate metric whose kernel is spanned by a one-form. Torsionfree compatible (i.e. Galilean) connections are characterised by the gift of a two-form (the force field). Whenever the two-form is closed, the connection is said Newtonian. Such a nonrelativistic spacetime is known to admit an ambient description as the orbit space of a gravitational wave with parallel rays. The leaves of the null foliation are endowed with a nonrelativistic structure dual to the Newtonian one, dubbed Carrollian spacetime. We propose a generalisation of this unifying framework by introducing a new non-Lorentzian ambient metric structure of which we study the geometry. We characterise the space of (torsional) connections preserving such a metric structure which is shown to project to (resp. embed) the most general class of (torsional) Galilean (resp. Carrollian) connections.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Embedding nonrelativistic physics inside a gravitational wave

Gravitational waves with parallel rays are known to have remarkable properties: Their orbit space of null rays possesses the structure of a non-relativistic spacetime of codimension-one. Their geodesics are in one-to-one correspondence with dynamical trajectories of a non-relativistic system. Similarly, the null dimensional reduction of Klein-Gordon's equation on this class of gravitational waves leads to a Schroedinger equation on curved space. These properties are generalized to the class of gravitational waves with a null Killing vector field, of which we propose a new geometric definition, as conformally equivalent to the previous class and such that the Killing vector field is preserved. This definition is instrumental for performing this generalization, as well as various applications. In particular, results on geodesic completeness are extended in a similar way. Moreover, the classification of the subclass with constant scalar invariants is investigated.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Dual Massive Gravity

The linearized massive gravity in three dimensions, over any maximally symmetric background, is known to be presented in a self-dual form as a first order equation which encodes not only the massive Klein-Gordon type field equation but also the supplementary transverse-traceless conditions. We generalize this construction to higher dimensions. The appropriate dual description in d dimensions, additionally to a (non-symmetric) tensor field $h_{μν}$, involves an extra rank-(d-1) field equivalently represented by the torsion rank-3 tensor. The symmetry condition for $h_{μν}$ arises on-shell as a consequence of the field equations. The action principle of the dual theory is formulated. The focus has been made on four dimensions. Solving one of the fields in terms of the other and putting back in the action one obtains two other equivalent formulations of the theory in which the action is quadratic in derivatives. In one of these representations the theory is formulated entirely in terms of a rank-2 non-symmetric tensor $h_{μν}$. This quadratic theory is not identical to the Fierz-Pauli theory and contains the coupling between the symmetric and antisymmetric parts of $h_{μν}$. Nevertheless, the only singularity in the propagator is the same as in the Fierz-Pauli theory so that only the massive spin-2 particle is propagating. In the other representation, the theory is formulated in terms of the torsion rank-3 tensor only. We analyze the conditions which follow from the field equations and show that they restrict to 5 degrees of freedom thus producing an alternative description to the massive spin-2 particle. A generalization to higher dimensions is suggested.

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