arXiv subjects

Kristin Schleich

Publications and source records attributed to Kristin Schleich.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv1996

Numerical quantum gravity by dynamical triangulation

Recently an alternate technique for numerical quantum gravity, dynamical triangulation, has been developed. In this method, the geometry is varied by adding and subtracting equilateral simplices from the simplicial complex. This method overcomes certain difficulties associated with the traditional approach in Regge calculus of varying geometry by varying edge lengths. However additional complications are introduced: three of the four moves in dynamical triangulation can violate the simplicial nature of the complex. Simulations indicate that the rate of these violations is significant. Thus additional conditions must be placed on the dynamical triangulation moves to ensure that the simplicial complex and its topology are preserved.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1996

Toward a definition of chaos for general relativity

General relativity exhibits a unique feature not represented in standard examples of chaotic systems; it is a spacetime diffeomorphism invariant theory. Thus many characterizations of chaos do not work. It is therefore necessary to develop a definition of chaos suitable for application to general relativity. This presentation will present results towards this goal.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1995

Topological Censorship

All three-manifolds are known to occur as Cauchy surfaces of asymptotically flat vacuum spacetimes and of spacetimes with positive-energy sources. We prove here the conjecture that general relativity does not allow an observer to probe the topology of spacetime: any topological structure collapses too quickly to allow light to traverse it. More precisely, in a globally hyperbolic, asymptotically flat spacetime satisfying the null energy condition, every causal curve from $\scri^-$ to ${\scri}^+$ is homotopic to a topologically trivial curve from $\scri^-$ to ${\scri}^+$. (If the Poincaré conjecture is false, the theorem does not prevent one from probing fake 3-spheres).

gr-qc↗

arXiv1993

Generalized Sums over Histories for Quantum Gravity II. Simplicial Conifolds

This paper examines the issues involved with concretely implementing a sum over conifolds in the formulation of Euclidean sums over histories for gravity. The first step in precisely formulating any sum over topological spaces is that one must have an algorithmically implementable method of generating a list of all spaces in the set to be summed over. This requirement causes well known problems in the formulation of sums over manifolds in four or more dimensions; there is no algorithmic method of determining whether or not a topological space is an n-manifold in five or more dimensions and the issue of whether or not such an algorithm exists is open in four. However, as this paper shows, conifolds are algorithmically decidable in four dimensions. Thus the set of 4-conifolds provides a starting point for a concrete implementation of Euclidean sums over histories in four dimensions. Explicit algorithms for summing over various sets of 4-conifolds are presented in the context of Regge calculus. Postscript figures available via anonymous ftp at black-hole.physics.ubc.ca (137.82.43.40) in file gen2.ps.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1993

Generalized Sums over Histories for Quantum Gravity I. Smooth Conifolds

This paper proposes to generalize the histories included in Euclidean functional integrals from manifolds to a more general set of compact topological spaces. This new set of spaces, called conifolds, includes nonmanifold stationary points that arise naturally in a semiclasssical evaluation of such integrals; additionally, it can be proven that sequences of approximately Einstein manifolds and sequences of approximately Einstein conifolds both converge to Einstein conifolds. Consequently, generalized Euclidean functional integrals based on these conifold histories yield semiclassical amplitudes for sequences of both manifold and conifold histories that approach a stationary point of the Einstein action. Therefore sums over conifold histories provide a useful and self-consistent starting point for further study of topological effects in quantum gravity. Postscript figures available via anonymous ftp at black-hole.physics.ubc.ca (137.82.43.40) in file gen1.ps.

gr-qc↗