arXiv subjects

Riccardo Capovilla

Publications and source records attributed to Riccardo Capovilla.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Jacobi equations of geodetic brane gravity

We consider brane gravity as described by the Regge-Teitelboim geometric model, in any codimension. In brane gravity our spacetime is modeled as the time-like world volume spanned by a space-like brane in its evolution, seen as a manifold embedded in an ambient background Minkowski spacetime of higher dimension. Although the equations of motion of the model are well known, apparently their linearization has not been considered before. Using a direct approach, we linearize the equations of motion about a solution, obtaining the Jacobi equations of the Regge- Teitelboim model. They take a formidable aspect. Some of their features are commented upon. By identifying the Jacobi equations, we derive an explicit expression for the Morse index of the model. To be concrete, we apply the Jacobi equations to the study of the stability of a four-dimensional Schwarzschild spacetime embedded in a six-dimensional Minkowski spacetime. We find that it is unstable under small linear deformations.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Covariant higher order perturbations of branes in curved spacetime

The treatment of higher order perturbations of branes is considered using a covariant variational approach. This covariant variational approach brings to the forefront the geometric structure of the underlying perturbation theory, as opposed to a more commonly used `direct approach', that ignores the variational origin. In addition, it offers a clear calculational advantage with respect to so called `gauge fixed' treatments that distinguish tangential and normal modes, as it emphasizes the symmetries of the geometric models that describe the brane dynamics. We restrict our attention to a brane action that depends at most on first derivatives of the embedding functions of the worldvolume spanned by the brane in its evolution. We consider first and second variations of the action that describes the brane dynamics. The first variation produces the equations of motion, as is well known. In the second variation we derive the Jacobi equations for these kind of models, and we emphasize the role of the Hessian matrix. This is extended to third order in variations, first in a flat and then in a curved spacetime background. Further, we specialize to the relevant case of the Dirac-Nambu-Goto action that describes extremal branes. The proper setting of a covariant variational approach allows to go in principle to geometric models that depend on higher derivatives of the embedding functions, and higher order perturbations, with the due complications involved, but with a solid framework in place.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Ostrogradsky-Hamilton approach to geodetic brane gravity

We develop the Ostrogradsky-Hamilton formalism for geodetic brane gravity, described by the Regge-Teitelboim geometric model in higher codimension. We treat this gravity theory as a second-order derivative theory, based on the extrinsic geometric structure of the model. As opposed to previous treatments of geodetic brane gravity, our Lagrangian is linearly dependent on second-order time derivatives of the field variables, the embedding functions. The difference resides in a boundary term in the action, usually discarded. Certainly, this suggests applying an appropriate Ostrogradsky-Hamiltonian approach to this type of theories. The price to pay for this choice is the appearance of second class constraints. We determine the full set of phase space constraints, as well as the gauge transformations they generate in the reduced phase space. Additionally, we compute the algebra of constraints and explain its physical content. In the same spirit, we deduce the counting of the physical degrees of freedom. We comment briefly on the naive formal canonical quantization emerging from our development.

hep-th↗

arXiv2019

A covariant simultaneous action for branes

A covariant simultaneous action for branes in an arbitrary curved background spacetime is considered. The action depends on a pair of independent field variables, the brane embedding functions, through the canonical momentum of a reparametrization invariant geometric model for the brane, and an auxiliary vector field. The form of the action is analogous to a symplectic potential. Extremization of the simultaneous action produces at once the equations of motion and the Jacobi equations for the brane geometric model, and it also provides a convenient shortcut towards its second variation. In this note, we consider geometric models depending only on the intrinsic geometry of the brane worldvolume, and discuss briefly the generalization to extrinsic geometry dependent models. The approach is illustrated for Dirac-NambuGoto [DNG] branes. For a relativistic particle, a simultaneous action was introduced by Bazanski, that served as an inspiration for the present work.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

A simultaneous variational principle for elementary excitations of fluid lipid membranes

A simultaneous variational principle is introduced that offers a novel avenue to the description of the equilibrium configurations, and at the same time of the elementary excitations, or undulations, of fluid lipid membranes, described by a geometric continuum free energy. The simultaneous free energy depends on the shape functions through the membrane stress tensor, and on an additional deformation spatial vector. Extremization of this free energy produces at once the Euler-Lagrange equations and the Jacobi equations, that describe elementary excitations, for the geometric free energy. As an added benefit, the energy of the elementary excitations, given by the second variation of the geometric free energy, is obtained without second variations. Although applied to the specific case of lipid membranes, this variational principle should be useful in any physical system where bending modes are dominant.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2017

Elastic bending energy: a variational approach

Geometric continuum models for fluid lipid membranes are considered using classical field theory, within a covariant variational approach. The approach is cast as a higher-derivative Lagrangian formulation of continuum classical field theory, and it can be seen as a covariant version of the field theoretical variational approach that uses the height representation. This novel Lagrangian formulation is presented first for a generic reparametrization invariant geometric model, deriving its equilibrium condition equation, or shape equation, and its linear and angular stress tensors, using the classical Canham-Helfrich elastic bending energy for illustration. The robustness of the formulation is established by extending it to the presence of external forces, and to the case of heterogenous lipid membranes, breaking reparametrization invariance. In addition, a useful and compact general expression for the second variation of the free energy is obtained within the Lagrangian formulation, as a first step towards the study of the stability of membrane configurations. The simple structure of the expressions derived for the basic entities that appear in the mechanics of a lipid membrane is a direct consequence of the well established power of a Lagrangian variational approach. The paper is self-contained, and it is meant to provide, besides a new framework, also a convenient introduction to the mechanics of lipid membranes.

math-ph↗

arXiv2011

Hamiltonian dynamics for Einstein's action in G$\rightarrow$0 limit

The Hamiltonian analysis for the Einstein's action in $ G\to 0 $ limit is performed. Considering the original configuration space without involve the usual $ADM$ variables we show that the version $ Gto 0 $ for Einstein's action is devoid of physical degrees of freedom. In addition, we will identify the relevant symmetries of the theory such as the extended action, the extended Hamiltonian, the gauge transformations and the algebra of the constraints. As complement part of this work, we develop the covariant canonical formalism where will be constructed a closed and gauge invariant symplectic form. In particular, using the geometric form we will obtain by means of other way the same symmetries that we found using the Hamiltonian analysis.

math-ph↗

arXiv2010

Minimally modified self-dual 2-forms gravity

The first order Plebanski formulation of (complex) general relativity (GR) in terms of self-dual 2-forms admits a generalization, proposed by Krasnov, that is qualitatively different from other possible generalizations of GR in terms of metric variables. In this paper, we investigate, within a minimal modification, and in a perturbative approach, the geometrical meaning of the field variables used in the Krasnov generalization, and compare them to the field variables used in the Plebanski formulation.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Null Frenet-Serret Dynamics

We consider the Frenet-Serret geometry of null curves in a three and a four-dimensional Minkowski background. We develop a theory of deformations adapted to the Frenet-Serret frame. We exploit it to provide a Lagrangian description of the dynamics of geometric models for null curves.

math-ph↗

arXiv2006

Yang-Mills theory a la string

A surface of codimension higher than one embedded in an ambient space possesses a connection associated with the rotational freedom of its normal vector fields. We examine the Yang-Mills functional associated with this connection. The theory it defines differs from Yang-Mills theory in that it is a theory of surfaces. We focus, in particular, on the Euler-Lagrange equations describing this surface, introducing a framework which throws light on their relationship to the Yang-Mills equations.

hep-th↗

arXiv2005

Hamilton's equations for a fluid membrane: axial symmetry

Consider a homogenous fluid membrane, or vesicle, described by the Helfrich-Canham energy, quadratic in the mean curvature. When the membrane is axially symmetric, this energy can be viewed as an `action' describing the motion of a particle; the contours of equilibrium geometries are identified with particle trajectories. A novel Hamiltonian formulation of the problem is presented which exhibits the following two features: {\it (i)} the second derivatives appearing in the action through the mean curvature are accommodated in a natural phase space; {\it (ii)} the intrinsic freedom associated with the choice of evolution parameter along the contour is preserved. As a result, the phase space involves momenta conjugate not only to the particle position but also to its velocity, and there are constraints on the phase space variables. This formulation provides the groundwork for a field theoretical generalization to arbitrary configurations, with the particle replaced by a loop in space.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2005

Hamilton's equations for a fluid membrane

Consider a homogenous fluid membrane described by the Helfrich-Canham energy, quadratic in the mean curvature of the membrane surface. The shape equation that determines equilibrium configurations is fourth order in derivatives and cubic in the mean curvature. We introduce a Hamiltonian formulation of this equation which dismantles it into a set of coupled first order equations. This involves interpreting the Helfrich-Canham energy as an action; equilibrium surfaces are generated by the evolution of space curves. Two features complicate the implementation of a Hamiltonian framework: (i) The action involves second derivatives. This requires treating the velocity as a phase space variable and the introduction of its conjugate momentum. The canonical Hamiltonian is constructed on this phase space. (ii) The action possesses a local symmetry -- reparametrization invariance. The two labels we use to parametrize points on the surface are themselves physically irrelevant. This symmetry implies primary constraints, one for each label, that need to be implemented within the Hamiltonian. The two lagrange multipliers associated with these constraints are identified as the components of the acceleration tangential to the surface. The conservation of the primary constraints imply two secondary constraints, fixing the tangential components of the momentum conjugate to the position. Hamilton's equations are derived and the appropriate initial conditions on the phase space variables are identified. Finally, it is shown how the shape equation can be reconstructed from these equations.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2005

Helfrich-Canham bending energy as a constrained non-linear sigma model

The Helfrich-Canham bending energy is identified with a non-linear sigma model for a unit vector. The identification, however, is dependent on one additional constraint: that the unit vector be constrained to lie orthogonal to the surface. The presence of this constraint adds a source to the divergence of the stress tensor for this vector so that it is not conserved. The stress tensor which is conserved is identified and its conservation shown to reproduce the correct shape equation.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2004

Second variation of the Helfrich-Canham Hamiltonian and reparametrization invariance

A covariant approach towards a theory of deformations is developed to examine both the first and second variation of the Helfrich-Canham Hamiltonian -- quadratic in the extrinsic curvature -- which describes fluid vesicles at mesoscopic scales. Deformations are decomposed into tangential and normal components; At first order, tangential deformations may always be identified with a reparametrization; at second order, they differ. The relationship between tangential deformations and reparametrizations, as well as the coupling between tangential and normal deformations, is examined at this order for both the metric and the extrinsic curvature tensors. Expressions for the expansion to second order in deformations of geometrical invariants constructed with these tensors are obtained; in particular, the expansion of the Hamiltonian to this order about an equilibrium is considered. Our approach applies as well to any geometrical model for membranes.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2004

Hamiltonian dynamics of extended objects

We consider a relativistic extended object described by a reparametrization invariant local action that depends on the extrinsic curvature of the worldvolume swept out by the object as it evolves. We provide a Hamiltonian formulation of the dynamics of such higher derivative models which is motivated by the ADM formulation of general relativity. The canonical momenta are identified by looking at boundary behavior under small deformations of the action; the relationship between the momentum conjugate to the embedding functions and the conserved momentum density is established. The canonical Hamiltonian is constructed explicitly; the constraints on the phase space, both primary and secondary, are identified and the role they play in the theory described. The multipliers implementing the primary constraints are identified in terms of the ADM lapse and shift variables and Hamilton's equations shown to be consistent with the Euler-Lagrange equations.

hep-th↗

arXiv2002

Deformations of the geometry of lipid vesicles

Consider a closed lipid membrane (vesicle), modeled as a two-dimensional surface, described by a geometrical hamiltonian that depends on its extrinsic curvature. The vanishing of its first variation determines the equilibrium configurations for the system. In this paper, we examine the second variation of the hamiltonian about any given equilibrium, using an explicitly surface covariant geometrical approach. We identify the operator which determines the stability of equilibrium configurations.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2002

Geometry of lipid vesicle adhesion

The adhesion of a lipid membrane vesicle to a fixed substrate is examined from a geometrical point of view. This vesicle is described by the Helfrich hamiltonian quadratic in mean curvature; it interacts by contact with the substrate, with an interaction energy proportional to the area of contact. We identify the constraints on the geometry at the boundary of the shared surface. The result is interpreted in terms of the balance of the force normal to this boundary. No assumptions are made either on the symmetry of the vesicle or on that of the substrate. The strong bonding limit as well as the effect of curvature asymmetry on the boundary are discussed.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2002

Stresses in lipid membranes

The stresses in a closed lipid membrane described by the Helfrich hamiltonian, quadratic in the extrinsic curvature, are identified using Noether's theorem. Three equations describe the conservation of the stress tensor: the normal projection is identified as the shape equation describing equilibrium configurations; the tangential projections are consistency conditions on the stresses which capture the fluid character of such membranes. The corresponding torque tensor is also identified. The use of the stress tensor as a basis for perturbation theory is discussed. The conservation laws are cast in terms of the forces and torques on closed curves. As an application, the first integral of the shape equation for axially symmetric configurations is derived by examining the forces which are balanced along circles of constant latitude.

cond-mat.soft↗