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Michael T. Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to Michael T. Anderson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2025

Well-posed geometric boundary data in General Relativity, II: twisted Dirichlet boundary data

In this second work in a series, we prove the local-in-time well-posedness of the IBVP for the vacuum Einstein equations in general relativity with twisted Dirichlet boundary conditions on a finite timelike boundary. The boundary conditions consist of specification of the pointwise conformal class of the boundary metric, together with a scalar density involving a combination of the volume form of the bulk metric restricted to the boundary together with the volume form of the boundary metric itself.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2025

Well-posed geometric boundary data in General Relativity, I: Dirichlet boundary data

In this first work in a series, we prove the local-in-time well-posedness of the IBVP for the vacuum Einstein equations with Dirichlet boundary data on a finite timelike boundary, provided the Brown- York stress tensor of the boundary is a Lorentz metric of the same signature (up to an overall sign) as the induced Lorentz metric on the boundary. This is a convexity-type assumption which is an exact analog of a similar result in the Riemannian setting. This assumption on the (extrinsic) Brown-York tensor cannot be dropped in general.

math.AP↗
arXiv2025

Well-posed geometric boundary data in General Relativity, III: Conformal-mean curvature boundary data

This is the third work in a series on the (local in time) well-posedness of the initial boundary value problem (IBVP) for the vacuum Einstein equations in general relativity with geometric boundary conditions. Here we study the conformal-mean curvature boundary conditions, consisting of the conformal class of the boundary metric and mean curvature of the boundary. We prove that at metrics of uniformly bounded geometry to all orders, the linearized problem has a solution space with dense range in $C^{\infty}$ and establish a Holmgren-type uniqueness theorem valid for general smooth linearized solutions. These results require the addition of an arbitrary corner angle term at the intersection of the Cauchy surface and the timelike boundary.

math.AP↗
arXiv2023

On the initial boundary value problem for the vacuum Einstein equations and geometric uniqueness

We formulate an initial boundary value problem (IBVP) for the vacuum Einstein equations by describing the boundary conditions of a spacetime metric in its associated gauge. This gauge is determined, equivariantly with respect to diffeomorphisms, by the spacetime metric. The vacuum spacetime metric $g$ and its associated gauge $ϕ_g$ are solved simultaneously in local harmonic coordinates. Further we show that vacuum spacetimes satisfying fixed initial-boundary conditions and corner conditions are geometrically unique near the initial surface. Finally, in analogy to the solution of the Cauchy problem, we also construct a unique maximal globally hyperbolic solution of the IBVP.

math.AP↗
arXiv2023

The Bartnik quasi-local mass conjectures

This paper is a tribute to Robert Bartnik and his work and conjectures on quasi-local mass. We present a framework in which to clearly analyse Bartnik's static vacuum extension conjecture. While we prove that this conjecture is not true in general, it remains a fundamental open problem to understand the realm of its validity.

math.DG↗
arXiv2021

The initial boundary value problem and quasi-local Hamiltonians in General Relativity

We discuss relations between the initial boundary value problem (IBVP) and quasi-local Hamiltonians in GR. The latter have traditionally been based on Dirichlet boundary conditions, which however are shown here to be ill-posed for the IBVP. We present and analyse several other choices of boundary conditions which are better behaved with respect to the IBVP and carry out a corresponding Hamiltonian analysis, using the framework of the covariant phase space method.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2021

The Nirenberg problem of prescribed Gauss curvature on $S^{2}$

We introduce a new perspective on the classical Nirenberg problem of understanding the possible Gauss curvatures of metrics on $S^{2}$ conformal to the round metric. A key tool is to employ the smooth Cheeger-Gromov compactness theorem to obtain general and essentially sharp a priori estimates for Gauss curvatures $K$ contained in naturally defined stable regions. We prove that in such stable regions, the map $u \rightarrow K_{g}$, $g = e^{2u}g_{+1}$ is a proper Fredholm map with well-defined degree on each component. This leads to a number of new existence and non-existence results. We also present a new proof and generalization of the Moser theorem on Gauss curvatures of even conformal metrics on $S^{2}$. In contrast to previous work, the work here does not use any of the Sobolev-type inequalities of Trudinger-Moser-Aubin-Onofri.

math.DG↗
arXiv2020

On the conformal method for the Einstein constraint equations

In this work, we use the global analysis and degree-theoretic methods introduced by Smale to study the existence and multiplicity of solutions of the vacuum Einstein constraint equations given by the conformal method of Lichnerowicz-Choquet-Bruhat-York. In particular this approach gives a new proof of the existence result of Maxwell and Holst-Nagy-Tsogtgerel. We also relate the method to the limit equation of Dahl-Gicquaud-Humbert and the non-existence result of Nguyen.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2019

Recent progress and problems on the Bartnik quasi-local mass

This paper surveys recent progress on issues related to the Bartnik quasi-local mass $m_B$. In addition, we formulate a number of new problems and conjectures regarding foundational properties of the mass $m_B$. This work is dedicated with pleasure to Robert Bartnik in honor of his 60th birthday.

math.DG↗
arXiv2019

Embeddings, immersions and the Bartnik quasi-local mass conjectures

Given a Riemannian 3-ball $(\bar B, g)$ of non-negative scalar curvature, Bartnik conjectured that $(\bar B, g)$ admits an asymptotically flat (AF) extension (without horizons) of the least possible ADM mass, and that such a mass-minimizer is an AF solution to the static vacuum Einstein equations, uniquely determined by natural geometric conditions on the boundary data of $(\bar B, g)$. We prove the validity of the second statement, i.e.~such mass-minimizers, if they exist, are indeed AF solutions of the static vacuum equations. On the other hand, we prove that the first statement is not true in general; there is a rather large class of bodies $(\bar B, g)$ for which a minimal mass extension does not exist.

math.DG↗
arXiv2015

On the Bartnik conjecture for the static vacuum Einstein equations

We prove that given any smooth metric $γ$ and smooth positive function $H$ on $S^{2}$, there is a constant $λ> 0$, depending on $(γ, H)$, and an asymptotically flat solution $(M, g, u)$ of the static vacuum Einstein equations on $M = {\mathbb R}^{3} \setminus B^{3}$, such that the induced metric and mean curvature of $(M, g, u)$ at $\partial M$ are given by $(γ, λH)$. This gives a partial resolution of a conjecture of Bartnik.

math.DG↗
arXiv2013

Extension of symmetries on Einstein manifolds with boundary

We investigate the validity of the isometry extension property for (Riemannian) Einstein metrics on manifolds with boundary. Given a metric on the boundary, this is the issue of whether any Killing field of the boundary metric extends to a Killing field of any bulk or filling Einstein metric inducing the given data on the boundary. Under a mild condition on the fundamental group, this is proved to be the case at least when the Killing field preserves the mean curvature of the boundary.

math.DG↗
arXiv2013

On the Bartnik extension problem for the static vacuum Einstein equations

We develop a framework for understanding the existence of asymptotically flat solutions to the static vacuum Einstein equations with prescribed boundary data consisting of the induced metric and mean curvature on a 2-sphere. A partial existence result is obtained, giving a partial resolution of a conjecture of Bartnik on such static vacuum extensions. The existence and uniqueness of such extensions is closely related to Bartnik's definition of quasi-local mass.

math.DG↗
arXiv2011

Holographic Uniformization

We derive and study supergravity BPS flow equations for M5 or D3 branes wrapping a Riemann surface. They take the form of novel geometric flows intrinsically defined on the surface. Their dual field-theoretic interpretation suggests the existence of solutions interpolating between an arbitrary metric in the UV and the constant-curvature metric in the IR. We confirm this conjecture with a rigorous global existence proof.

hep-th↗
arXiv2011

Uniqueness of static vacuum Einstein metrics and the Bartnik quasi-local mass

We analyse the issue of uniqueness of solutions of the static vacuum Einstein equations with prescribed geometric or Bartnik boundary data. Large classes of examples are constructed where uniqueness fails. We then discuss the implications of this behavior for the Bartnik quasi-local mass. A variational characterization of Bartnik boundary data is also given.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2011

Boundary value problems for metrics on 3-manifolds

We discuss the problem of prescribing the mean curvature and conformal class as boundary data for Einstein metrics on 3-manifolds, in the context of natural elliptic boundary value problems for Riemannian metrics.

math.DG↗