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Marcello Ortaggio

Publications and source records attributed to Marcello Ortaggio.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2018

Universal electromagnetic fields

We study universal electromagnetic (test) fields, i.e., p-forms fields F that solve simultaneously (virtually) any generalized electrodynamics (containing arbitrary powers and derivatives of F in the field equations) in n spacetime dimensions. One of the main results is a sufficient condition: any null F that solves Maxwell's equations in a Kundt spacetime of aligned Weyl and traceless-Ricci type III is universal (in particular thus providing examples of p-form Galileons on curved Kundt backgrounds). In addition, a few examples in Kundt spacetimes of Weyl type II are presented. Some necessary conditions are also obtained, which are particularly strong in the case n=4=2p: all the scalar invariants of a universal 2-form in four dimensions must be constant, and vanish in the special case of a null F .

gr-qc↗
arXiv2018

Electromagnetic fields with vanishing quantum corrections

We show that a large class of null electromagnetic fields are immune to any modifications of Maxwell's equations in the form of arbitrary powers and derivatives of the field strength. These are thus exact solutions to virtually any generalized classical electrodynamics containing both non-linear terms and higher derivatives, including, e.g., non-linear electrodynamics as well as QED- and string-motivated effective theories. This result holds not only in a flat or (anti-)de Sitter background, but also in a larger subset of Kundt spacetimes, which allow for the presence of aligned gravitational waves and pure radiation.

hep-th↗
arXiv2018

On higher dimensional Einstein spacetimes with a non-degenerate double Weyl aligned null direction

We prove that higher dimensional Einstein spacetimes which possess a geodesic, non-degenerate double Weyl aligned null direction (WAND) $\ell$ must additionally possess a second double WAND (thus being of type D) if either: (a) the Weyl tensor obeys $C_{abc[d}\ell_{e]}\ell^c=0$ ($\LeftrightarrowΦ_{ij}=0$, i.e., the Weyl type is II(abd)); (b) $\ell$ is twistfree. Some comments about an extension of the Goldberg-Sachs theorem to six dimensions are also made.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2018

Lovelock vacua with a recurrent null vector field

Vacuum solutions of Lovelock gravity in the presence of a recurrent null vector field (a subset of Kundt spacetimes) are studied. We first discuss the general field equations, which constrain both the base space and the profile functions. While choosing a "generic" base space puts stronger constraints on the profile, in special cases there also exist solutions containing arbitrary functions (at least for certain values of the coupling constants). These and other properties (such as the pp-waves subclass and the overlap with VSI, CSI and universal spacetimes) are subsequently analyzed in more detail in lower dimensions $n=5,6$ as well as for particular choices of the base manifold. The obtained solutions describe various classes of non-expanding gravitational waves propagating, e.g., in Nariai-like backgrounds $M_2\timesΣ_{n-2}$. An appendix contains some results about general (i.e., not necessarily Kundt) Lovelock vacua of Riemann type III/N, and of Weyl and traceless-Ricci type III/N. For example, it is pointed out that for theories admitting a triply degenerate maximally symmetric vacuum, all the (reduced) field equations are satisfied identically, giving rise to large classes of exact solutions.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2017

Hairy AdS black holes with a toroidal horizon in 4D Einstein-nonlinear $σ$-model system

An exact hairy asymptotically locally AdS black hole solution with a flat horizon in the Einstein-nonlinear sigma model system in (3+1) dimensions is constructed. The ansatz for the nonlinear $SU(2)$ field is regular everywhere and depends explicitly on Killing coordinates, but in such a way that its energy-momentum tensor is compatible with a metric with Killing fields. The solution is characterized by a discrete parameter which has neither topological nor Noether charge associated with it and therefore represents a hair. A $U(1)$ gauge field interacting with Einstein gravity can also be included. The thermodynamics is analyzed. Interestingly, the hairy black hole is always thermodynamically favored with respect to the corresponding black hole with vanishing Pionic field.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2017

On the uniqueness of the Myers-Perry spacetime as a type II(D) solution in six dimensions

We study the class of vacuum (Ricci flat) six-dimensional spacetimes admitting a non-degenerate multiple Weyl aligned null direction l, thus being of Weyl type II or more special. Subject to an additional assumption on the asymptotic fall-off of the Weyl tensor, we prove that these spacetimes can be completely classified in terms of the two eigenvalues of the (asymptotic) twist matrix of l and of a discrete parameter $U^0=\pm 1/2, 0$. All solutions turn out to be Kerr-Schild spacetimes of type D and reduce to a family of "generalized" Myers-Perry metrics (which include limits and analytic continuations of the original Myers-Perry black hole metric, such as certain NUT spacetimes). A special subcase corresponds to twisting solutions with zero shear. In passing, limits connecting various branches of solutions are briefly discussed.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2016

Electromagnetic fields with vanishing scalar invariants

We determine the class of $p$-forms $F$ which possess vanishing scalar invariants (VSI) at arbitrary order in a $n$-dimensional spacetime. Namely, we prove that $F$ is VSI if and only if it is of type N, its multiple null direction $l$ is "degenerate Kundt", and $\nabla_{l}F=0$. The result is theory-independent. Next, we discuss the special case of Maxwell fields, both at the level of test fields and of the full Einstein-Maxwell equations. These describe electromagnetic non-expanding waves propagating in various Kundt spacetimes. We further point out that a subset of these solutions possesses a universal property, i.e., they also solve (virtually) any generalized (non-linear and with higher derivatives) electrodynamics, possibly also coupled to Einstein's gravity.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2016

VSI electromagnetic fields

A $p$-form $F$ is VSI (i.e., all its scalar invariants of arbitrary order vanish) in a $n$-dimensional spacetime if and only if it is of type N, its multiple null direction $l$ is "degenerate Kundt", and $£_{l}F=0$. This recent result is reviewed in the present contribution and its main consequences are summarized. In particular, a subset of VSI Maxwell fields possesses a universal property, i.e., they also solve (virtually) any generalized (non-linear and with higher derivatives) electrodynamics, possibly also coupled to Einstein's gravity.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2016

Higher dimensional Robinson-Trautman spacetimes sourced by p-forms: static and radiating black holes

We summarize results about Robinson-Trautman spacetimes in the presence of an aligned $p$-form Maxwell field and an arbitrary cosmological constant in $n\ge 4$ dimensions. While in odd dimensions the solutions reduce to static black holes dressed with an electric and a magnetic field (with an Einstein space horizon), in even dimensions $2p=n$ they may also describe black holes gaining (or losing) mass by receiving (or emitting) electromagnetic radiation. The Weyl type of the spacetimes is also briefly discussed in all the possible cases.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2015

Static and radiating p-form black holes in the higher dimensional Robinson-Trautman class

We study Robinson-Trautman spacetimes in the presence of an aligned p-form Maxwell field and an arbitrary cosmological constant in n>=4 dimensions. As it turns out, the character of these exact solutions depends significantly on the (relative) value of n and p. In odd dimensions the solutions reduce to static black holes dressed by an electric and a magnetic field and whose horizon is an Einstein space (further constrained by the Einstein-Maxwell equations) -- both the Weyl and Maxwell type are D. Even dimensions, however, open up more possibilities. In particular, when 2p=n there exist non-static solutions describing black holes acquiring (or losing) mass by receiving (or emitting) electromagnetic radiation. In this case the Weyl type is II (D) and the Maxwell type can be II (D) or N. Conditions under which the Maxwell field is self-dual (for odd p) are also discussed, and a few explicit examples presented. Finally, the case p=1 is special in all dimensions and leads to static metrics with a non-Einstein transverse space.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2015

Asymptotic behaviour of Maxwell fields in higher dimensions

We study the fall-off behaviour of test electromagnetic fields in higher dimensions as one approaches infinity along a congruence of "expanding" null geodesics. The considered backgrounds are Einstein spacetimes including, in particular, (asymptotically) flat and (anti-)de Sitter spacetimes. Various possible boundary conditions result in different characteristic fall-offs, in which the leading component can be of any algebraic type (N, II or G). In particular, the peeling-off of radiative fields F=Nr^{1-n/2}+Gr^{-n/2}+... differs from the standard four-dimensional one (instead it qualitatively resembles the recently determined behaviour of the Weyl tensor in higher dimensions). General p-form fields are also briefly discussed. In even n dimensions, the special case p=n/2 displays unique properties and peels off in the "standard way" as F=Nr^{1-n/2}+IIr^{-n/2}+.... A few explicit examples are mentioned.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2014

Asymptotic behaviour of the Weyl tensor in higher dimensions

We determine the leading order fall-off behaviour of the Weyl tensor in higher dimensional Einstein spacetimes (with and without a cosmological constant) as one approaches infinity along a congruence of null geodesics. The null congruence is assumed to "expand" in all directions near infinity (but it is otherwise generic), which includes in particular asymptotically flat spacetimes. In contrast to the well-known four-dimensional peeling property, the fall-off rate of various Weyl components depends substantially on the chosen boundary conditions, and is also influenced by the presence of a cosmological constant. The leading component is always algebraically special, but in various cases it can be of type N, III or II.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2012

Minimal tensors and purely electric or magnetic spacetimes of arbitrary dimension

We consider time reversal transformations to obtain twofold orthogonal splittings of any tensor on a Lorentzian space of arbitrary dimension n. Applied to the Weyl tensor of a spacetime, this leads to a definition of its electric and magnetic parts relative to an observer (i.e., a unit timelike vector field u), in any n. We study the cases where one of these parts vanishes in particular, i.e., purely electric (PE) or magnetic (PM) spacetimes. We generalize several results from four to higher dimensions and discuss new features of higher dimensions. We prove that the only permitted Weyl types are G, I_i and D, and discuss the possible relation of u with the WANDs; we provide invariant conditions that characterize PE/PM spacetimes, such as Bel-Debever criteria, or constraints on scalar invariants, and connect the PE/PM parts to the kinematic quantities of u; we present conditions under which direct product spacetimes (and certain warps) are PE/PM, which enables us to construct explicit examples. In particular, it is also shown that all static spacetimes are necessarily PE, while stationary spacetimes (e.g., spinning black holes) are in general neither PE nor PM. Ample classes of PE spacetimes exist, but PM solutions are elusive, and we prove that PM Einstein spacetimes of type D do not exist, for any n. Finally, we derive corresponding results for the electric/magnetic parts of the Riemann tensor. This also leads to first examples of PM spacetimes in higher dimensions. We also note in passing that PE/PM Weyl tensors provide examples of minimal tensors, and we make the connection hereof with the recently proved alignment theorem. This in turn sheds new light on classification of the Weyl tensors based on null alignment, providing a further invariant characterization that distinguishes the types G/I/D from the types II/III/N.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2012

Algebraic classification of higher dimensional spacetimes based on null alignment

We review recent developments and applications of the classification of the Weyl tensor in higher dimensional Lorentzian geometries. First, we discuss the general setup, i.e. main definitions and methods for the classification, some refinements and the generalized Newman-Penrose and Geroch-Held-Penrose formalisms. Next, we summarize general results, such as a partial extension of the Goldberg-Sachs theorem, characterization of spacetimes with vanishing (or constant) curvature invariants and the peeling behaviour in asymptotically flat spacetimes. Finally, we discuss certain invariantly defined families of metrics and their relation with the Weyl tensor classification, including: Kundt and Robinson-Trautman spacetimes; the Kerr-Schild ansatz in a constant-curvature background; purely electric and purely magnetic spacetimes; direct and (some) warped products; and geometries with certain symmetries. To conclude, some applications to quadratic gravity are also overviewed.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2012

On the Goldberg-Sachs theorem in higher dimensions in the non-twisting case

We study a generalization of the "shear-free part" of the Goldberg-Sachs theorem for Einstein spacetimes admitting a non-twisting multiple Weyl Aligned Null Direction (WAND) l in n>=6 spacetime dimensions. The form of the corresponding optical matrix $ρ$ is restricted by the algebraically special property in terms of the degeneracy of its eigenvalues. In particular, there necessarily exists at least one multiple eigenvalue and further constraints arise in various special cases. For example, when $ρ$ is non-degenerate and the Weyl components $Φ_{ij}$ are non-zero, all eigenvalues of $ρ$ coincide and such spacetimes thus correspond to the Robinson-Trautman (RT) class. On the other hand, in certain degenerate cases all non-zero eigenvalues can be distinct. We also present explicit examples of Einstein spacetimes admitting some of the permitted forms of $ρ$, including examples violating the "optical constraint". The obtained restrictions on $ρ$ are, however, in general not sufficient for l to be a multiple WAND, as demonstrated by a few "counterexamples". We also discuss the geometrical meaning of these restrictions in terms of integrability properties of certain null distributions. Finally, we specialize our analysis to the six-dimensional case, where all the permitted forms of $ρ$ are given in terms of just two parameters. In the appendices some examples are given and certain results pertaining to (possibly) twisting mWANDs of Einstein spacetimes are presented.

gr-qc↗