Null Geodesics in Brane World Scenarios

We study the null bulk geodesic motion in the brane world in which the bulk metric has an un-stabilized extra spatial dimension. We find that the null bulk geodesic motion as observed on the 3-brane with Z₂ symmetry would be a timelike geodesic motion even though there exists an extra non-gravitational force in contrast with the case of the stabilized extra spatial dimension. In other words the presence of the extra non-gravitational force would not violate the Z₂ symmetry.     

Induced Matter and Particle Motion in Non-Compact Kaluza-Klein Gravity

We examine generalizations of the five-dimensional canonical metric by including a dependence of the extra coordinate in the four-dimensional metric. We discuss a more appropriate way to interpret the four-dimensional energy-momentum tensor induced from the five-dimensional space-time and show it can lead to quite different physical situations depending on the interpretation chosen. Furthermore, we show that the assumption of five-dimensional null trajectories in Kaluza-Klein gravity can correspond to either four-dimensional massive or null trajectories when the path parameterization is chosen properly. Retaining the extra-coordinate dependence in the metric, we show the possibility of a cosmological variation in the rest masses of particles and a consequent departure from four-dimensional geodesic motion by a geometric force. In the examples given, we show that at late times it is possible for particles traveling along 5D null geodesics to be in a frame consistent with the induced matter scenario.     

A new characterization of the n-dimensional Einstein static spacetime

The Einstein static spacetime is characterized as the unique geodesically complete and simply connected Lorentzian manifold such that the geodesic flow acts by isometries of the Sasaki metric on any null congruence associated to a conformal timelike vector field.     

Geodesic motions in extraordinary string geometry

The geodesic properties of the stationary vacuum string solution in (4+1) dimensions with momentum flow along the string direction are analyzed by using Hamilton-Jacobi method. The geodesic motions show distinct properties from those of the static one. Especially, any freely falling particle can not arrive at the horizon or singularity. To get into the horizon, a particle need to follow a non-geodesic trajectory. There exist stable null circular orbits and bouncing timelike and null geodesics. In the asymptotic geometry, some geodesics will be repelled by the string contrary to the case of Kerr-Neumann black hole. The light bending effect will be minimized at an impact parameter determined by the angular momentum and energy.     

Letter: Causality Violating Geodesics in Bonnor's Rotating Dust Metric

We exhibit timelike geodesic paths for a metric, introduced by Bonnor [11] and considered also by Steadman [13], and show that coordinate time runs backward along a portion of these geodesics.     

Homogeneous geodesics in homogeneous Finsler spaces

In this paper, we study homogeneous geodesics in homogeneous Finsler spaces. We first give a simple criterion that characterizes geodesic vectors. We show that the geodesics on a Lie group, relative to a bi-invariant Finsler metric, are the cosets of the one-parameter subgroups. The existence of infinitely many homogeneous geodesics on the compact semi-simple Lie group is established. We introduce the notion of a naturally reductive homogeneous Finsler space. As a special case, we study homogeneous geodesics in homogeneous Randers spaces. Finally, we study some curvature properties of homogeneous geodesics. In particular, we prove that the S-curvature vanishes along the homogeneous geodesics.     

Electrodynamics from a metric

A metric is given that produces a space in which the geodesic equation is identical with the Lorentz equation of motion for a charged particle. The gravitational field equations in the same space indicate a geometric origin for the electromagnetic energy-momentum tensor. A comparison is made with Kaluza-Klein theories and it is determined that the present theory is distinct from them because it corresponds to a timelike, noncompact fifth dimension. Since the metric is velocity-dependent, it is actually a Finsler space rather than a Riemannian space metric. Its special form, however, allows computations to be done in terms of Riemannian geometry.     

Equatorial Circular Orbits of Neutral Test Particlesin Weyl Spacetimes

A general stability study of equatorial circular orbits in static axially symmetric gravitating systems is presented. We investigate the motion of neutral test particles in circular geodesics such as the marginally stable orbit, the marginally bounded orbit, and the photon orbit are analyzed. We find general expressions for the radius, specific energy, specific angular momentum, and the radius of the marginally stable orbit, both for null and timelike circular geodesics. Different solutions were expressed in different coordinates systems: cylindrical coordinates, oblate spheroidal coordinates, and prolate spheroidal coordinates are considered. We show that all null circular trajectories are unstable, and that there aren’t marginally stable null geodesics, whereas for timelike geodesics the motion can be unbounded, bounded, or circular.     

Motion and collision of particles near Plebanski-Demianski black hole: Shadow and gravitational lensing

Here we consider accelerating and rotating charged Plebanski-Demianski (PD) class of black hole metric as a particle accelerator. We obtain the geodesic motions (timelike, null and spacelike) of particles in a non-equatorial plane around the PD black hole. We find the effective potential, energy, angular momentum, impact parameters, and discuss the circular orbit. We study the center of mass energy of two neutral particles falling from infinity to near the non-extremal horizons (event and Cauchy horizons), extremal horizon, accelerating horizons, and near the center of the PD black hole. Also, we study the collision of a particle and a massless photon. Then we find the center of mass energy due to the collision of two massless photons in the PD black hole background. We compute the redshift and blueshift of the emitted photons by massive particles while light signal travels along null geodesics towards the observer located far away from the source. We study the Penrose process, which occurs within the ergosphere, and examines the particle’s motion with its implications. Here, we analyze the PD black hole shadow’s apparent shape, which forms far away from the black hole. We study the possible visibility of the PD black hole through photon’s shadow and energy emission rate. We also investigate the effect on the shadow of the PD black hole in plasma for a distant observer. We study the strong gravitational lensing by PD black hole. Finally, we analyze the deflection angle, lens equation, position, magnification, Einstein ring and observables by taking the supermassive PD black hole in the Galaxy’s center.     

Horizons and singularities in static,spherically symmetric spacetimes

We make a thorough study of the regions near finite-order metric-singularity boundaries of static, spherically symmetric spacetimes. After distinguishing curvature singularities from other types of metric breakdown, we examine the eigenvalues of the energy tensor near the singularities for positivity and energy dominance, find the causal class of the t-translation (static) Killing field, and ascertain the presence or absence of timelike, null, and spacelike geodesic incompleteness for each spacetime. For a certain subclass of spacetimes, we also show the completeness of all timelike and spacelike curves despite the superficial failure of the metric.     

On the generalized Jacobi equation

The standard text-book Jacobi equation (equation of geodesic deviation) arises by linearizing the geodesic equation around some chosen geodesic, where the linearization is done with respect to the coordinates and the velocities. The generalized Jacobi equation, introduced by Hodgkinson in 1972 and further developed by Mashhoon and others, arises if the linearization is done only with respect to the coordinates, but not with respect to the velocities. The resulting equation has been studied by several authors in some detail for timelike geodesics in a Lorentzian manifold. Here we begin by briefly considering the generalized Jacobi equation on affine manifolds, without a metric; then we specify to lightlike geodesics in a Lorentzian manifold. We illustrate the latter case by considering particular lightlike geodesics (a) in Schwarzschild spacetime and (b) in a plane-wave spacetime.     

Stationary solutions in three-dimensional general relativity

All the stationary solutions of the three-dimensional vacuum Einstein equations are obtained. These include a class of multicenter solutions representing systems of massive and spinning point particles. The geodesic motion of a test particle in the one-particle metric is discussed. A class of geodesics contain finite intervals where the particle moves back in coordinate time, without violation of causality.     

Extra Force from an Extra Dimension: Comparison Between Brane Theory, Space-Time-Matter Theory, and Other Approaches

We investigate the question of how an observer in 4D perceives the five-dimensional geodesic motion. We consider the interpretation of null and non-null bulk geodesics in the context of brane theory, space-time-matter theory (STM) and other non-compact approaches. We develop a frame-invariant formalism that allows the computation of the rest mass and its variation as observed in 4D. We find the appropriate expression for the four-acceleration and thus obtain the extra force observed in 4D. Our formulae extend and generalize all previous results in the literature. An important result here is that the extra force in brane-world models with Z ₂-symmetry is continuous and well defined across the brane. This is because the momentum component along the extra dimension is discontinuous across the brane, which effectively compensates the discontinuity of the extrinsic curvature. We show that brane theory and STM produce identical interpretation of the bulk geodesic motion. This holds for null and non-null bulk geodesics. Thus, experiments with test particles are unable to distinguish whether our universe is described by the brane world scenario or by STM. However, they do discriminate between the brane/STM scenario and other non-compact approaches. Among them the canonical and embedding approaches, which we examine in detail here.     

Geodesics in rotating systems

The paper investigates the equations for geodesics, null geodesics, and spatial geodesics in rotating systems. Geodesics and null geodesics have, as usual, been interpreted as the paths of free particles and of light rays, respectively. Spatial geodesics are given a firm interpretation as the shortest paths between points within the rotating system, where the path length is measured by an observer in the rotating system who moves along the spatial geodesic. The paper shows that equations for geodesics in rotating systems may be derived by the traditional method, i.e., from the flat-space metric of general relativity, or by means of the instantaneous Lorentz frames approach. This supports the use of instantaneous Lorentz frames as a valid method for the analysis of events in rotating systems.     

On quadratic first integrals of the geodesic equations for type {22} spacetimes

It is shown that every type {22} vacuum solution of Einstein's equations admits a quadratic first integral of the null geodesic equations (conformal Killing tensor of valence 2), which is independent of the metric and of any Killing vectors arising from symmetries. In particular, the charged Kerr solution (with or without cosmological constant) is shown to admit a Killing tensor of valence 2. The Killing tensor, together with the metric and the two Killing vectors, provides a method of explicitly integrating the geodesics of the (charged) Kerr solution, thus shedding some light on a result due to Carter.     

Dynamics in Kaluza-Klein Gravity and a Fifth Force

Using a novel coordinate system, we rederive the field equations and equa tions of motion for 5-dimensional relativity in the general case where the metric can depend on all 5 coordinates (i.e., Kaluza-Klein theory without the cylinder restriction). We show that in general the fifth dimension produces a new dynamical force in 4-dimensional spacetime. This timelike fifth force is proportional to the 4-velocity of a particle and is thus unlike any known 4-force. We briefly examine the properties of some simple models, and suggest that the detection of the fifth force is the most promising way to investigate the existence of an extra dimension in nature.     

Inertial frames and tidal forces along the symmetry axis of the Kerr spacetime

The gravitational field along the symmetry axis of the Kerr spacetime is examined. The equations of parallel transport along this axis are solved for the timelike geodesics case, and the corresponding tidal tensor is constructed.     

Extended bodies with quadrupole moment interacting with gravitational monopoles: reciprocity relations

An exact solution of Einstein’s equations representing the static gravitational field of a quasi-spherical source endowed with both mass and mass quadrupole moment is considered. It belongs to the Weyl class of solutions and reduces to the Schwarzschild solution when the quadrupole moment vanishes. The geometric properties of timelike circular orbits (including geodesics) in this spacetime are investigated. Moreover, a comparison between geodesic motion in the spacetime of a quasi-spherical source and non-geodesic motion of an extended body also endowed with both mass and mass quadrupole moment as described by Dixon’s model in the gravitational field of a Schwarzschild black hole is discussed. Certain “reciprocity relations” between the source and the particle parameters are obtained, providing a further argument in favor of the acceptability of Dixon’s model for extended bodies in general relativity.     

Cosmological black holes: A black hole in the Einstein-de Sitter universe

As an example of a dynamical cosmological black hole, a spacetime that describes an expanding black hole in the asymptotic background of the Einstein-de Sitter universe is constructed. The black hole is primordial in the sense that it forms ab initio with the big bang singularity and its expanding event horizon is represented by a conformal Killing horizon. The metric representing the black hole spacetime is obtained by applying a time dependent conformal transformation on the Schwarzschild metric, such that the result is an exact solution with a matter content described by a two-fluid source. Physical quantities such as the surface gravity and other effects like perihelion precession, light bending and circular orbits are studied in this spacetime and compared to their counterparts in the gravitational field of the isolated Schwarzschild black hole. No changes in the structure of null geodesics are recorded, but significant differences are obtained for timelike geodesics, particularly an increase in the perihelion precession and the non-existence of circular timelike orbits. The solution is expressed in the Newman-Penrose formalism.