Anti-self-dual gravitational metrics determined by the modified heavenly equation

In paper Doubrov and Ferapontov (2010) on the classification of integrable complex Monge–Ampère equations, the modified heavenly (MH) equation of Dubrov and Ferapontov is one of canonical equations. It is well known that solutions of the first and second heavenly equations of Plebañski (1975) and those of the Husain equation in Husain (1994) provide potentials for anti-self-dual (ASD) Ricci-flat vacuum metrics. For another canonical equation, the general heavenly equation of Dubrov and Ferapontov (2010), we had constructed in Malykh and Sheftel (2011) ASD Ricci-flat metric governed by this equation. Thus, the modified heavenly equation remains the only one in the list of canonical equations in Doubrov and Ferapontov (2010) for which such a metric is missing so far. Our aim here is to construct null tetrad of vector fields, coframe 1-forms and ASD Ricci-flat metric for the latter equation. We study reality conditions and signature for the resulting metric. As an example, we obtain a multi-parameter cubic solution of the MH equation which yields a family of metrics with the above properties. Riemann curvature 2-forms are also explicitly presented for the cubic solution.     

Macroscopic Fluctuation Theory for Stationary Non-Equilibrium States

We formulate a dynamical fluctuation theory for stationary non-equilibrium states (SNS) which is tested explicitly in stochastic models of interacting particles. In our theory a crucial role is played by the time reversed dynamics. Within this theory we derive the following results: the modification of the Onsager–Machlup theory in the SNS; a general Hamilton–Jacobi equation for the macroscopic entropy; a non-equilibrium, nonlinear fluctuation dissipation relation valid for a wide class of systems; an H theorem for the entropy. We discuss in detail two models of stochastic boundary driven lattice gases: the zero range and the simple exclusion processes. In the first model the invariant measure is explicitly known and we verify the predictions of the general theory. For the one dimensional simple exclusion process, as recently shown by Derrida, Lebowitz, and Speer, it is possible to express the macroscopic entropy in terms of the solution of a nonlinear ordinary differential equation; by using the Hamilton–Jacobi equation, we obtain a logically independent derivation of this result.     

The twisted photon associated to hyper-Hermitian four-manifolds

The Lax formulation of the hyper-Hermiticity condition in four dimensions is used to derive a pair of potentials that generalises Plebanski's second heavenly equation for hyper-Kähler four-manifolds. A class of examples of hyper-Hermitian metrics which depend on two arbitrary functions of two complex variables is given. The twistor theory of four-dimensional hyper-Hermitian manifolds is formulated as a combination of the Nonlinear Graviton Construction with the Ward transform for anti-self-dual Maxwell fields.     

On a discretization of asymptotic nets

We discretize some notions of the theory of asymptotic nets and of the theory of transformations of asymptotic nets. These are the Lelieuvre formulas, the Moutard equation, the Moutard transformation, the Weingarten congruences and the Jonas formulas. It allows us to extend the theory of reductions of the discrete version of the Darboux system, applied primarily to multidimensional quadrilateral lattices, on the theory of discrete asymptotic nets which in turn is helpful in a discretization of some classical differential nonlinear integrable systems of physical interest, e.g. the Ernst equation and the stationary modified Nizhnik–Veselov–Novikov system (in form which we call the Fubini–Ragazzi system).     

Zitterbewegung and Quantum Jumps in Relativistic Schrödinger Theory

Within the general framework of the relativistic Schrödinger theory, a new waveequation is identified which stands between Dirac's four-component spinorequation and the scalar one-component Klein–Gordon equation. It is atwo-component, first-order wave equation in pseudo-Riemannian spacetime which onone hand can take account of the Zitterbewegung (similar to the Dirac theory),but on the other hand describes spinless particles (just like the Klein–Gordontheory). In this way it is demonstrated that spin and Zitterbewegung areindependent phenomena despite the fact that both effects refer to a certain kindof internal motion. An extra variable for the internal motion can be introduced(similarly as in the Dirac theory) so that the new wave equation is reduced tothe Klein–Gordon case when the internal variable takes its trivial value and theinternal motion is not excited. The internal degree of freedom admits the occurenceof quasi-pure states (i.e., a special subset of the mixtures), which undergo atransition to a pure state in finite time. If the initial configuration is already apure state, this transition occurs in the form of a sudden jump to the final purestate. The coupling of the new wave field to gravity via the Einstein equationsmakes the Zitterbewegung manifest through the corresponding trembling of theextension of a Friedmann–Robertson–Walker universe.     

Quantum Cosmology in CGBD Theory

We apply the theory developed in quantum cosmology to a model of charged generalized Brans–Dicke gravity. This is a quantum model of gravitation interacting with a charged Brans–Dicke type scalar field which is considered in the Pauli frame. The Wheeler–DeWitt equation describing the evolution of the quantum Universe is solved in the semiclassical approximation by applying the WKB approximation. The wave function of the Universe is also obtained by applying both the Vilenkin-like and the Hartle–Hawking-like boundary conditions. We then make predictions from the wave functions and infer that the Vilenkin's boundary condition is more reasonable in the Brans–Dicke gravity models leading a large vacuum energy density at the beginning of the inflation.     

Type II hidden symmetries of the second heavenly equation

A Type II hidden symmetry of the non-linear second heavenly equation in gravitational physics is identified. Its provenance from other partial differential equations is studied. Two reductions of the second heavenly equation produce the Monge–Ampère equation in similarity variables and new analytic solutions are possible.     

Fast and Slow Diffusion of Channelized Particles in Transverse Energy Space

The Fokker–Planck-type kinetic equation is constructed with the help of the evolution equation for the transverse energy of channelized particles, which in its turn is derived beyond the framework of perturbation theory proceeding from the condition of nonconcervation of the adiabatic invariant.     

An Algebraic Proof on the Finiteness of Yang–Mills–Chern–Simons Theory in D=3

A rigorous algebraic proof of the full finiteness in all orders of perturbation theory is given for the Yang–Mills–Chern–Simons theory in a general three-dimensional Riemannian manifold. We show the validity of a trace identity, playing the role of a local form of the Callan–Symanzik equation, in all loop orders, which yields the vanishing of the -functions associated to the topological mass and gauge coupling constant as well as the anomalous dimensions of the fields.     

Higher-derivative Quantum Cosmology

The quantum cosmology of a higher-derivative gravity theory arising from the heterotic string effective action is reviewed. A new type of Wheeler–DeWitt equation is obtained when the dilaton is coupled to the quadratic curvature terms. Techniques for solving the Wheeler–DeWitt equation with appropriate boundary conditions shall be described, and implications for semiclassical theories of inflationary cosmology will be outlined.     

Interacting Field Theories in Robertson-Walker Spacetimes: Analytic Approximations

The renormalization of a scalar field theory with a quartic self-coupling via adiabatic regularization in a Robertson-Walker spacetime is discussed. The adiabatic counterterms are presented in a way that is most conducive to numerical computations. A variation of the adiabatic regularization method is presented which leads to analytic approximations for the energy–momentum tensor of the quantum field and the quantum contribution to the effective mass of the mean field. Conservation of the energy–momentum tensor for the field is discussed and it is shown that the part of the energy–momentum tensor which depends only on the mean field is not conserved but the full renormalized energy–momentum tensor is conserved, as expected and required by the semiclassical Einstein's equation. It is also shown that if the analytic approximations are used the resulting approximate energy–momentum tensor is conserved. This allows a self-consistent backreaction calculation to be performed using the analytic approximations. The usefulness of the approximations is discussed.     

Dirac Field of Kaluza–Klein Theory in Weitzenböck Space

The Dirac equation in five-dimensional Weitzenbo;auck space is dervied. The effectof spin–spin interaction induced by torsion is revealed by use of the Diracequation in the weak-field situation. A comparison is made of the Dirac equationof Kaluza–Klein theory in three types of spaces. It is concluded that, from thepoint of view of simplicity, the Weitzenböck space is the most suitable one forestablishing Kaluza–Klein theory.     

A Kinetic Theory Approach to Quantum Gravity

We describe a kinetic theory approach to quantum gravity by which we mean a theory of the microscopic structure of space-time, not a theory obtained by quantizing general relativity. A figurative conception of this program is like building a ladder with two knotty poles: quantum matter field on the right and space-time on the left. Each rung connecting the corresponding knots represents a distinct level of structure. The lowest rung is hydrodynamics and general relativity; the next rung is semiclassical gravity, with the expectation value of quantum fields acting as source in the semiclassical Einstein equation. We recall how ideas from the statistical mechanics of interacting quantum fields helped us identify the existence of noise in the matter field and its effect on metric fluctuations, leading to the establishment of the third rung: stochastic gravity, described by the Einstein–Langevin equation. Our pathway from stochastic to quantum gravity is via the correlation hierarchy of noise and induced metric fluctuations. Three essential tasks beckon: (1) deduce the correlations of metric fluctuations from correlation noise in the matter field; (2) reconstituting quantum coherence—this is the reverse of decoherence—from these correlation functions; and (3) use the Boltzmann–Langevin equations to identify distinct collective variables depicting recognizable metastable structures in the kinetic and hydrodynamic regimes of quantum matter fields and how they demand of their corresponding space-time counterparts. This will give us a hierarchy of generalized stochastic equations—call them the Boltzmann–Einstein hierarchy of quantum gravity—for each level of space-time structure, from the the macroscopic (general relativity) through the mesoscopic (stochastic gravity) to the microscopic (quantum gravity).     

Isotropization of Bianchi Models and a New FRW Solution in Brans–Dicke Theory

Using scaled variables we are able to integrate an equation valid for isotropic and anisotropic Bianchi type I, V, IX models in Brans–Dicke (BD) theory. We analyze known and new solutions for these models in relation with the possibility that anisotropic models asymptotically isotropize, and/or possess inflationary properties. In particular, a new solution of curved (k 0) Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) cosmologies in Brans–Dicke theory is analyzed.     

Numerical modelling of the two-dimensional Fourier transformed Vlasov–Maxwell system

The two-dimensional Vlasov–Maxwell system, for a plasma with mobile, magnetised electrons and ions, is investigated numerically. A previously developed method for solving the two-dimensional electrostatic Vlasov equation, Fourier transformed in velocity space, for mobile electrons and with ions fixed in space, is generalised to the fully electromagnetic, two-dimensional Vlasov–Maxwell system for mobile electrons and ions. Special attention is paid to the conservation of the divergences of the electric and magnetic fields in the Maxwell equations. The Maxwell equations are rewritten, by means of the Lorentz potentials, in a form which conserves these divergences. Linear phenomena are investigated numerically and compared with theory and with previous numerical results.     

Method of group foliation and non-invariant solutions of partial differential equations

Using the heavenly equation as an example, we propose the method of group foliation as a tool for obtaining non-invariant solutions of PDEs with infinite-dimensional symmetry groups. The method involves the study of compatibility of the given equations with a differential constraint, which is automorphic under a specific symmetry subgroup and therefore selects exactly one orbit of solutions. By studying the integrability conditions of this automorphic system, i.e. the resolving equations, one can provide an explicit foliation of the entire solution manifold into separate orbits. The new important feature of the method is the extensive use of the operators of invariant differentiation for the derivation of the resolving equations and for obtaining their particular solutions. Applying this method we obtain exact analytical solutions of the heavenly equation, non-invariant under any subgroup of the symmetry group of the equation. Received 13 September 2001 Published online 2 October 2002 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: sheftel@gursey.gov.tr     

Radiation Reaction of the Classical Off-Shell Relativistic Charged Particle

It has been shown by Gupta and Padmanabhan that the radiation reaction force of the Abraham–Lorentz–Dirac equation can be obtained by a coordinate transformation from the inertial frame of an accelerating charged particle to that of the laboratory. We show that the problem may be formulated in a flat space of five dimensions, with five corresponding gauge fields in the framework of the classical version of a fully gauge covariant form of the Stueckelberg–Feynman–Schwinger covariant mechanics (the zero mode fields of the 0, 1, 2, 3 components correspond to the Maxwell fields). Without additional constraints, the particles and fields are not confined to their mass shells. We show that in the mass-shell limit, the generalized Lorentz force obtained by means of the retarded Green's functions for the five dimensional field equations provides the classical Abraham–Lorentz–Dirac radiation reaction terms (with renormalized mass and charge). We also obtain general coupled equations for the orbit and the off-shell dynamical mass during the evolution as well as an autonomous non-linear equation of third order for the off-shell mass. The theory does not admit radiation if the particle does not move off-shell. The structure of the equations implies that mass-shell deviation is bounded when the external field is removed.