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T. Strobl

Publications and source records attributed to T. Strobl.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2010

Generalizing Geometry - Algebroids and Sigma Models

In this contribution we review some of the interplay between sigma models in theoretical physics and novel geometrical structures such as Lie (n-)algebroids. The first part of the article contains the mathematical background, the definition of various algebroids as well as of Dirac structures, a joint generalization of Poisson, presymplectic, but also complex structures. Proofs are given in detail. The second part deals with sigma models. Topological ones, in particular the AKSZ and the Dirac sigma models, as generalizations of the Poisson sigma models to higher dimensions and to Dirac structures, respectively, but also physical ones, that reduce to standard Yang Mills theories for the "flat" choice of a Lie algebra: Lie algebroid Yang Mills theories and possible action functionals for nonabelian gerbes and general higher gauge theories. Characteristic classes associated to Dirac structures and to higher principal bundles are also mentioned.

hep-th↗
arXiv2001

All minimal supergravity extensions of 2d dilaton theories

The formulation of 2d-dilaton theories, like spherically reduced Einstein gravity, is greatly facilitated in a formulation as a first order theory with nonvanishing bosonic torsion. This is especially also true at the quantum level. The interpretation of superextensions as graded Poisson sigma models is found to cover generically all possible 2d supergravities. Superfields and thus superfluous auxiliary fields are avoided altogether. The procedure shows that generalizations of bosonic 2d models are highly ambiguous.

hep-th↗
arXiv2000

General Two-Dimensional Supergravity from Poisson Superalgebras

We provide the geometric actions for most general N=1 supergravity in two spacetime dimensions. Our construction implies an extension to arbitrary N. This provides a supersymmetrization of any generalized dilaton gravity theory or of any theory with an action being an (essentially) arbitrary function of curvature and torsion. Technically we proceed as follows: The bosonic part of any of these theories may be characterized by a generically nonlinear Poisson bracket on a three-dimensional target space. In analogy to a given ordinary Lie algebra, we derive all possible N=1 extensions of any of the given Poisson (or W-) algebras. Using the concept of graded Poisson Sigma Models, any extension of the algebra yields a possible supergravity extension of the original theory, local Lorentz and super-diffeomorphism invariance follow by construction. Our procedure automatically restricts the fermionic extension to the minimal one; thus local supersymmetry is realized on-shell. By avoiding a superfield approach we are also able to circumvent in this way the introduction of constraints and their solution. For many well-known dilaton theories different supergravity extensions are derived. In generic cases their field equations are solved explicitly.

hep-th↗
arXiv2000

Closed constraint algebras and path integrals for loop group actions

In this note we study systems with a closed algebra of second class constraints. We describe a construction of the reduced theory that resembles the conventional treatment of first class constraints. It suggests, in particular, to compute the symplectic form on the reduced space by a fiber integral of the symplectic form on the original space. This approach is then applied to a class of systems with loop group symmetry. The chiral anomaly of the loop group action spoils the first class character of the constraints but not their closure. Proceeding along the general lines described above, we obtain a 2-form from a fiber (path)integral. This form is not closed as a relict of the anomaly. Examples of such reduced spaces are provided by D-branes on group manifolds with WZW action.

hep-th↗
arXiv1999

Group Theoretical Quantization of a Phase Space S^1 x R^+ and the Mass Spectrum of Schwarzschild Black Holes in D Space-Time Dimensions

The symplectic reduction of pure spherically symmetric (Schwarzschild) classical gravity in D space-time dimensions yields a 2-dimensional phase space of observables consisting of the Mass M (>0) and a canonically conjugate (Killing) time variable T. Imposing (mass-dependent) periodic boundary conditions in time on the associated quantum mechanical plane waves which represent the Schwarzschild system in the period just before or during the formation of a black hole, yields an energy spectrum of the hole which realizes the old Bekenstein postulate that the quanta of the horizon A_{D-2} are multiples of a basic area quantum. In the present paper it is shown that the phase space of such a Schwarzschild black hole in D space-time dimensions is symplectomorphic to a symplectic manifold S={(phi in R mod 2 pi, p = A_{D-2} >0)} with the symplectic form d phi wedge d p. As the action of the group SO_+(1,2) on that manifold is transitive, effective and Hamiltonian, it can be used for a group theoretical quantization of the system. The area operator p for the horizon corresponds to the generator of the compact subgroup SO(2) and becomes quantized accordingly: The positive discrete series of the irreducible unitary representations of SO_+(1,2) yields an (horizon) area spectrum proportional k+n, where k =1,2,... characterizes the representation and n = 0,1,2,... the number of area quanta. If one employs the unitary representations of the universal covering group of SO_+(1,2) the number k can take any fixed positive real value (theta-parameter). The unitary representations of the positive discrete series provide concrete Hilbert spaces for quantum Schwarzschild black holes.

gr-qc↗
arXiv1997

Complete Classification of 1+1 Gravity Solutions

A classification of the maximally extended solutions for 1+1 gravity models (comprising e.g. generalized dilaton gravity as well as models with non-trivial torsion) is presented. No restrictions are placed on the topology of the arising solutions, and indeed it is found that for generic models solutions on non-compact surfaces of arbitrary genus with an arbitrary non-zero number of holes can be obtained. The moduli space of classical solutions (solutions of the field equations with fixed topology modulo gauge transformations) is parametrized explicitly.

gr-qc↗
arXiv1997

Classical and Quantum Gravity in 1+1 Dimensions, Part I: A Unifying Approach

We provide a concise approach to generalized dilaton theories with and without torsion and coupling to Yang-Mills fields. Transformations on the space of fields are used to trivialize the field equations locally. In this way their solution becomes accessible within a few lines of calculation only. In this first of a series of papers we set the stage for a thorough global investigation of classical and quantum aspects of more or less all available 2D gravity-Yang-Mills models.

gr-qc↗
arXiv1997

A Global View of Kinks in 1+1 Gravity

Following Finkelstein and Misner, kinks are non-trivial field configurations of a field theory, and different kink-numbers correspond to different disconnected components of the space of allowed field configurations for a given topology of the base manifold. In a theory of gravity, non-vanishing kink-numbers are associated to a twisted causal structure. In two dimensions this means, more specifically, that the light-cone tilts around (non-trivially) when going along a non-contractible non-selfintersecting loop on spacetime. One purpose of this paper is to construct the maximal extensions of kink spacetimes using Penrose diagrams. This will yield surprising insights into their geometry but also allow us to give generalizations of some well-known examples like the bare kink and the Misner torus. However, even for an arbitrary 2D metric with a Killing field we can construct continuous one-parameter families of inequivalent kinks. This result has already interesting implications in the flat or deSitter case, but it applies e.g. also to generalized dilaton gravity solutions. Finally, several coordinate systems for these newly obtained kinks are discussed.

gr-qc↗
arXiv1996

Edge States and Entropy of 2d Black Holes

In several recent publications Carlip, as well as Balachandran, Chandar and Momen, have proposed a statistical mechanical interpretation for black hole entropy in terms of ``would be gauge'' degrees of freedom that become dynamical on the boundary to spacetime. After critically discussing several routes for deriving a boundary action, we examine their hypothesis in the context of generic 2-D dilaton gravity. We first calculate the corresponding statistical mechanical entropy of black holes in 1+1 deSitter gravity, which has a gauge theory formulation as a BF-theory. Then we generalize the method to dilaton gravity theories that do not have a (standard) gauge theory formulation. This is facilitated greatly by the Poisson-Sigma-model formulation of these theories. It turns out that the phase space of the boundary particles coincides precisely with a symplectic leaf of the Poisson manifold that enters as target space of the Sigma-model. Despite this qualitatively appealing picture, the quantitative results are discouraging: In most of the cases the symplectic leaves are non-compact and the number of microstates yields a meaningless infinity. In those cases where the particle phase space is compact - such as, e.g., in the Euclidean deSitter theory - the edge state degeneracy is finite, but generically it is far too small to account for the semiclassical Bekenstein-Hawking entropy.

gr-qc↗
arXiv1996

Classical and Quantum Aspects of 1+1 Gravity

We present a classification of all global solutions (with Lorentzian signature) for any general 2D dilaton gravity model. For generic choices of potential-like terms in the Lagrangian one obtains maximally extended solutions on arbitrary non-compact two-manifolds, including various black-hole and kink configurations. We determine all physical quantum states in a Dirac approach. In some cases the spectrum of the (black-hole) mass operator is found to be sensitive to the signature of the theory, which may be relevant in view of current attempts to implement a generalized Wick-rotation in 4D quantum gravity.

gr-qc↗
arXiv1996

Classical and Quantum Gravity in 1+1 Dimensions, Part III: Solutions of Arbitrary Topology

All global solutions of arbitrary topology of the most general 1+1 dimensional dilaton gravity models are obtained. We show that for a generic model there are globally smooth solutions on any non-compact 2-surface. The solution space is parametrized explicitly and the geometrical significance of continuous and discrete labels is elucidated. As a corollary we gain insight into the (in general non-trivial) topology of the reduced phase space. The classification covers basically all 2D metrics of Lorentzian signature with a (local) Killing symmetry.

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

Classical and Quantum Gravity in 1+1 Dimensions, Part II: The Universal Coverings

A set of simple rules for constructing the maximal (e.g. analytic) extensions for any metric with a Killing field in an (effectively) two-dimensional spacetime is formulated. The application of these rules is extremely straightforward, as is demonstrated at various examples and illustrated with numerous figures. Despite the resulting simplicity we also comment on some subtleties concerning the concept of Penrose diagrams. Most noteworthy among these, maybe, is that (smooth) spacetimes which have both degenerate and non-degenerate (Killing) horizons do not allow for globally smooth Penrose diagrams. Physically speaking this obstruction corresponds to an infinite relative red/blueshift between observers moving across the two horizons. -- The present work provides a further step in the classification of all global solutions of the general class of two-dimensional gravity-Yang-Mills systems introduced in Part I, comprising, e.g., all generalized (linear and nonlinear) dilaton theories. In Part I we constructed the local solutions, which were found to always have a Killing field; in this paper we provide all universal covering solutions (the simply connected maximally extended spacetimes). A subsequent Part III will treat the diffeomorphism inequivalent solutions for all other spacetime topologies. -- Part II is kept entirely self-contained; a prior reading of Part I is not necessary.

gr-qc↗
arXiv1996

Explicit Global Coordinates for Schwarzschild and Reissner-Nordstroem

We construct coordinate systems that cover all of the Reissner-Nordstroem solution with m>|q| and m=|q|, respectively. This is possible by means of elementary analytical functions. The limit of vanishing charge q provides an alternative to Kruskal which, to our mind, is more explicit and simpler. The main tool for finding these global charts is the description of highly symmetrical metrics by two-dimensional actions. Careful gauge fixing yields global representatives of the two-dimensional theory that can be rewritten easily as the corresponding four-dimensional line elements.

gr-qc↗
arXiv1995

The Topological G/G WZW Model in the Generalized Momentum Representation

We consider the topological gauged WZW model in the generalized momentum representation. The chiral field $g$ is interpreted as a counterpart of the electric field $E$ of conventional gauge theories. The gauge dependence of wave functionals $Ψ(g)$ is governed by a new gauge cocycle $ϕ_{GWZW}$. We evaluate this cocycle explicitly using the machinery of Poisson $σ$-models. In this approach the GWZW model is reformulated as a Schwarz type topological theory so that the action does not depend on the world-sheet metric. The equivalence of this new formulation to the original one is proved for genus one and conjectured for an arbitrary genus Riemann surface. As a by-product we discover a new way to explain the appearance of Quantum Groups in the WZW model.

hep-th↗
arXiv1994

Poisson-Sigma-Models: A Generalization of 2-D Gravity Yang-Mills-Systems

A new class of two dimensional integrable field theories, based on the mathematical notion of Poisson manifolds, and containing gravity-Yang-Mills systems as well as the G/G gauged Wess-Zumino Witten-model, are presented. The local solutions of the classical equations of motions as well as a scheme for the quantization in a Hamiltonian formulation is presented for the general model. Partial results of a calculation of the partition function on arbitrary Riemann surfaces via path integral techniques are given. (Contribution to the proceedings of the Conference on Integrable Systems at the JINR, Dubna, July 1994).

hep-th↗
arXiv1994

Quantization of Field Theories Generalizing Gravity-Yang-Mills Systems on the Cylinder

Pure gravity and gauge theories in two dimensions are shown to be special cases of a much more general class of field theories each of which is characterized by a Poisson structure on a finite dimensional target space. A general scheme for the quantization of these theories is formulated. Explicit examples are studied in some detail. In particular gravity and gauge theories with equivalent actions are compared. Big gauge transformations as well as the condition of metric nondegeneracy in gravity turn out to cause significant differences in the structure of the corresponding reduced phase spaces and the quantum spectra of Dirac observables. For $R^2$ gravity coupled to SU(2) Yang Mills the question of quantum dynamics (`problem of time') is addressed. [This article is a contribution to the proceedings (to appear in LNP) of the 3rd Baltic RIM Student Seminar (1993). Importance is attached to concrete examples. A more abstract presentation of the ideas underlying this article (including new developments) is found in hep-th/9405110.]

gr-qc↗