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Thomas Strobl

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas Strobl.

54 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Gravity from Lie algebroid morphisms

Inspired by the Poisson Sigma Model and its relation to 2d gravity, we consider models governing morphisms from TSigma to any Lie algebroid E, where Sigma is regarded as d-dimensional spacetime manifold. We address the question of minimal conditions to be placed on a bilinear expression in the 1-form fields, S^ij(X) A_i A_j, so as to permit an interpretation as a metric on Sigma. This becomes a simple compatibility condition of the E-tensor S with the chosen Lie algebroid structure on E. For the standard Lie algebroid E=TM the additional structure is identified with a Riemannian foliation of M, in the Poisson case E=T^*M with a sub-Riemannian structure which is Poisson invariant with respect to its annihilator bundle. (For integrable image of S, this means that the induced Riemannian leaves should be invariant with respect to all Hamiltonian vector fields of functions which are locally constant on this foliation). This provides a huge class of new gravity models in d dimensions, embedding known 2d and 3d models as particular examples.

hep-th↗

Classical Solutions for Poisson Sigma Models on a Riemann surface

We determine the moduli space of classical solutions to the field equations of Poisson Sigma Models on arbitrary Riemann surfaces for Poisson structures with vanishing Poisson form class. This condition ensures the existence of a presymplectic form on the target Poisson manifold which agrees with the induced symplectic forms of the Poisson tensor upon pullback to the leaves. The dimension of the classical moduli space as a function of the genus of the worldsheet Sigma and the corank k of the Poisson tensor is determined as k(rank(H^1(Sigma))+1). Representatives of the classical solutions are provided using the above mentioned presymplectic 2-forms, and possible generalizations to cases where such a form does not exist are discussed. The results are compared to the known moduli space of classical solutions for two-dimensional BF and Yang-Mills theories.

hep-th↗

Poisson Geometry in Constrained Systems

Constrained Hamiltonian systems fall into the realm of presymplectic geometry. We show, however, that also Poisson geometry is of use in this context. For the case that the constraints form a closed algebra, there are two natural Poisson manifolds associated to the system, forming a symplectic dual pair with respect to the original, unconstrained phase space. We provide sufficient conditions so that the reduced phase space of the constrained system may be identified with a symplectic leaf in one of those. In the second class case the original constrained system may be reformulated equivalently as an abelian first class system in an extended phase space by these methods. Inspired by the relation of the Dirac bracket of a general second class constrained system to the original unconstrained phase space, we address the question of whether a regular Poisson manifold permits a leafwise symplectic embedding into a symplectic manifold. Necessary and sufficient for this is the vanishing of the characteristic form-class of the Poisson tensor, a certain element of the third relative cohomology.

hep-th↗

WZW-Poisson manifolds

We observe that a term of the WZW-type can be added to the Lagrangian of the Poisson Sigma model in such a way that the algebra of the first class constraints remains closed. This leads to a natural generalization of the concept of Poisson geometry. The resulting "WZW-Poisson" manifold M is characterized by a bivector Pi and by a closed three-form H such that [Pi,Pi]_Schouten = < H, Pi^3 >.

math.SG↗

Gravity in Two Spacetime Dimensions

In this habilitation thesis we provide an introduction to gravitational models in two spacetime dimensions. Focus is put on exactly solvable models. We begin by introducing and motivating different possible gravitational actions, including those of generalized dilaton theories as well as of purely geometrical, higher derivative theories with and without torsion. The relation among them as well as to Poisson sigma models is worked out in some detail. In the exactly solvable cases, such as pure gravity-Yang-Mills systems, the general solution to the field equations on a global level is reviewed. Quantization of such models is performed in the Dirac approach, where, by use of the formulation as Poisson sigma models, all admissible physical quantum states are obtained. Table of contents: 1. Introduction, 2. 2d geometry and gravitational actions, 3. Generalized dilaton theories and matter actions, 4. 2d gravity-Yang-Mills systems in terms of Poisson sigma models, 5. Classical solutions on a local level, 6. Classical solutions on a global level, 7. Towards quantum gravity. (In part this work contains/summarizes previous joint work with T. Kloesch and P. Schaller).

hep-th↗

Second Law of Black Hole Mechanics for all 2d Dilaton Theories

It is shown that all generalized two--dimensional dilaton theories with arbitrary matter content (with a curvature independent coupling to gravity) do not only obey a first law of black hole mechanics (which follows from Wald's general considerations, if the entropy S is defined appropriately), but also a second law: δS \ge 0 provided only that the null energy condition holds and that, loosely speaking, for late times a stationary state is assumed. Also any two-dimensional f(R)--theory is covered. This generalizes a previous proof of Frolov [1] to a much wider class of theories.

hep-th↗

Symplectic Cuts and Projection Quantization

The recently proposed projection quantization, which is a method to quantize particular subspaces of systems with known quantum theory, is shown to yield a genuine quantization in several cases. This may be inferred from exact results established within symplectic cutting.

quant-ph↗

Group Theoretical Quantization and the Example of a Phase Space S^1 x R^+

The group theoretical quantization scheme is reconsidered by means of elementary systems. Already the quantization of a particle on a circle shows that the standard procedure has to be supplemented by an additional condition on the admissibility of group actions. A systematic strategy for finding admissible group actions for particular subbundles of cotangent spaces is developed, two-dimensional prototypes of which are T^*R^+ and S^1 x R^+ (interpreted as restrictions of T^*R and T^*S^1 to positive coordinate and momentum, respectively). In this framework (and under an additional, natural condition) an SO_+(1,2)-action on S^1 x R^+ results as the unique admissible group action. For symplectic manifolds which are (specific) parts of phase spaces with known quantum theory a simple projection method of quantization is formulated. For T^*R^+ and S^1 x R^+ equivalent results to those of more established (but more involved) quantization schemes are obtained. The approach may be of interest, e.g., in attempts to quantize gravity theories where demanding nondegenerate metrics of a fixed signature imposes similar constraints.

quant-ph↗

Target-Superspace in 2d Dilatonic Supergravity

The N=1 supersymmetric version of generalized 2d dilaton gravity can be cast into the form of a Poisson Sigma Model, where the target space and its Poisson bracket are graded. The target space consists of a 1+1 superspace and the dilaton, which is the generator of Lorentz boosts therein. The Poisson bracket on the target space induces the invariance of the worldsheet theory against both diffeomorphisms and local supersymmetry transformations (superdiffeomorphisms). The machinery of Poisson Sigma Models is then used to find the general local solution to the field equations. As a byproduct, classical equivalence between the bosonic theory and its supersymmetric extension is found.

hep-th↗

BRST Inner Product Spaces and the Gribov Obstruction

A global extension of the Batalin-Marnelius proposal for a BRST inner product to gauge theories with topologically nontrivial gauge orbits is discussed. It is shown that their (appropriately adapted) method is applicable to a large class of mechanical models with a semisimple gauge group in the adjoint and fundamental representation. This includes cases where the Faddeev-Popov method fails. Simple models are found also, however, which do not allow for a well-defined global extension of the Batalin-Marnelius inner product due to a Gribov obstruction. Reasons for the partial success and failure are worked out and possible ways to circumvent the problem are briefly discussed.

hep-th↗

Generalized 2d dilaton gravity with matter fields

We extend the classical integrability of the CGHS model of 2d dilaton gravity [1] to a larger class of models, allowing the gravitational part of the action to depend more generally on the dilaton field and, simultaneously, adding fermion- and U(1)-gauge-fields to the scalar matter. On the other hand we provide the complete solution of the most general dilaton-dependent 2d gravity action coupled to chiral fermions. The latter analysis is generalized to a chiral fermion multiplet with a non-abelian gauge symmetry as well as to the (anti-)self-dual sector df = *df (df = -*df) of a scalar field f.

gr-qc↗

A Brief Introduction to Poisson Sigma-Models

The theory of Poisson-$σ$-models employs the mathematical notion of Poisson manifolds to formulate and analyze a large class of topological and almost topological two dimensional field theories. As special examples this class of field theories includes pure Yang-Mills and gravity theories, and, to some extent, the G/G gauged WZW-model. The aim of this contribution is to give a pedagogical introduction, explaining many aspects of the general theory by illustrative examples.

hep-th↗

Poisson Structure Induced (Topological) Field Theories

A class of two dimensional field theories, based on (generically degenerate) Poisson structures and generalizing gravity-Yang-Mills systems, is presented. Locally, the solutions of the classical equations of motion are given. A general scheme for the quantization of the models in a Hamiltonian formulation is found.

hep-th↗

Quantization and the Issue of Time for Various Two-Dimensional Models of Gravity

It is shown that the models of 2D Liouville Gravity, 2D Black Hole- and $R^2$-Gravity are {\em embedded} in the Katanaev-Volovich model of 2D NonEinsteinian Gravity. Different approaches to the formulation of a quantum theory for the above systems are then presented: The Dirac constraints can be solved exactly in the momentum representation, the path integral can be integrated out, and the constraint algebra can be {\em explicitely} canonically abelianized, thus allowing also for a (superficial) reduced phase space quantization. Non--trivial dynamics are obtained by means of time dependent gauges. All of these approaches lead to the {\em same} finite dimensional quantum mechanical system.

hep-th↗

Comment on Gravity and the Poincare Group

Following the approach of Grignani and Nardelli [1], we show how to cast the two-dimensional model $L \sim curv^2 + torsion^2 + cosm.const$ -- and in fact any theory of gravity -- into the form of a Poincare gauge theory. By means of the above example we then clarify the limitations of this approach: The diffeomorphism invariance of the action still leads to a nasty constraint algebra. Moreover, by simple changes of variables (e.g. in a path integral) one can reabsorb all the modifications of the original theory.

hep-th↗

All Symmetries of Non-Einsteinian Gravity in $d =2$

The covariant form of the field equations for two--dimensional $R^2$--gravity with torsion as well as its Hamiltonian formulation are shown to suggest the choice of the light--cone gauge. Further a one--to--one correspondence between the Hamiltonian gauge symmetries and the diffeomorphisms and local Lorentz transformations is established, thus proving that there are no hidden local symmetries responsible for the complete integrability of the model. Finally the constraint algebra is shown to have no quantum anomalies so that Dirac's quantization should be applicable.

hep-th↗

Canonical Quantization of Non-Einsteinian Gravity and the Problem of Time

For a 1+1 dimensional theory of gravity with torsion different approaches to the formulation of a quantum theory are presented. They are shown to lead to the same finite dimensional quantum system. Conceptual questions of quantum gravity like e.g.\ the problem of time are discussed in this framework.

hep-th↗