Post-Newtonian limit of Finsler space theories of gravity and solar system tests

Finsler geometry is considered as a wider framework for analysing solar system tests of theories of gravity than is afforded by Riemannian geometry. The post-Newtonian limit for the spherically symmetric one-body problem is examined by expanding the Finsler metric about the Minkowski space of Special Relativity for those Finsler spaces whose null surface is Riemannian. In such a framework there are five PPN parameters instead of the three in Riemannian geometry. The classical solar system tests can readily be satisfied leaving two arbitrary parameters. These parameters could be determined from measurements of the second order gravitational red-shift and periodic perturbations in particle orbits, thus providing a consistency check on the Riemannian metric hypothesis of General Relativity. Such an experiment is possible on a satellite on an orbit with perihelion of a few solar radii.     

Einstein gravity in almost Kähler and Lagrange–Finsler variables and deformation quantization

A geometric procedure is elaborated for transforming (pseudo) Riemannian metrics and connections into canonical geometric objects (metric and nonlinear and linear connections) for effective Lagrange, or Finsler, geometries which, in turn, can be equivalently represented as almost Kähler spaces. This allows us to formulate an approach to quantum gravity following standard methods of deformation quantization. Such constructions are performed not on tangent bundles, as in usual Finsler geometry, but on spacetimes enabled with nonholonomic distributions defining 2+2$2+2$ splitting with associate nonlinear connection structure. We also show how the Einstein equations can be written in terms of Lagrange–Finsler variables and corresponding almost symplectic structures and encoded into the zero-degree cohomology coefficient for a quantum model of Einstein manifolds.     

Deformation quantization of nonholonomic almost Kähler models and Einstein gravity

Nonholonomic distributions and adapted frame structures on (pseudo) Riemannian manifolds of even dimension are employed to build structures equivalent to almost Kähler geometry and which allows to perform a Fedosov-like quantization of gravity. The nonlinear connection formalism that was formally elaborated for Lagrange and Finsler geometry is implemented in classical and quantum Einstein gravity.     

Finsler Spinoptics

The objective of this article is to build up a general theory of geometrical optics for spinning light rays in an inhomogeneous and anisotropic medium modeled on a Finsler manifold. The prerequisites of local Finsler geometry are reviewed together with the main properties of the Cartan connection used in this work. Then, the principles of Finslerian spinoptics are formulated on the grounds of previous work on Riemannian spinoptics, and relying on the generic coadjoint orbits of the Euclidean group. A new presymplectic structure on the indicatrix-bundle is introduced, which gives rise to a foliation that significantly departs from that generated by the geodesic spray, and leads to a specific anomalous velocity, due to the coupling of spin and the Cartan curvature, and related to the optical Hall effect. UMR 6207 du CNRS associée aux Universités d’Aix-Marseille I et II et Université du Sud Toulon-Var; Laboratoire affilié à la FRUMAM-FR2291.     

Nonlinear Connections and Nearly Autoparallel Maps in General Relativity

We apply the method of moving anholonomic frames with associated nonlinear connections to the (pseudo) Riemannian space geometry and examine the conditions when locally anisotropic structures (Finsler like and more general ones) could be modeled in the general relativity theory and/or Einstein–Cartan–Weyl extensions [1]. New classes of solutions of the Einstein equations with generic local anisotropy are constructed. We formulate the theory of nearly autoparallel (na) maps generalizing the conformal transforms and formulate the Einstein gravity theory on na–backgrounds provided with a set of na–map invariant conditions and local conservation laws. There are illustrated some examples when vacuum Einstein fields are generated by Finsler like metrics and chains of na–maps.     

Kerr metric,geodesic motion,and Flyby Anomaly in fourth-order Conformal Gravity

In this paper we analyze the Kerr geometry in the context of Conformal Gravity, an alternative theory of gravitation, which is a direct extension of General Relativity (GR). Following previous studies in the literature, we introduce an explicit expression of the Kerr metric in Conformal Gravity, which naturally reduces to the standard GR Kerr geometry in the absence of Conformal Gravity effects. As in the standard case, we show that the Hamilton–Jacobi equation governing geodesic motion in a space-time based on this geometry is indeed separable and that a fourth constant of motion—similar to Carter’s constant—can also be introduced in Conformal Gravity. Consequently, we derive the fundamental equations of geodesic motion and show that the problem of solving these equations can be reduced to one of quadratures. In particular, we study the resulting time-like geodesics in Conformal Gravity Kerr geometry by numerically integrating the equations of motion for Earth flyby trajectories of spacecraft. We then compare our results with the existing data of the Flyby Anomaly in order to ascertain whether Conformal Gravity corrections are possibly the origin of this gravitational anomaly. Although Conformal Gravity slightly affects the trajectories of geodesic motion around a rotating spherical object, we show that these corrections are minimal and are not expected to be the origin of the Flyby Anomaly, unless conformal parameters are drastically different from current estimates. Therefore, our results confirm previous analyses, showing that modifications due to Conformal Gravity are not likely to be detected at the Solar System level, but might affect gravity at the galactic or cosmological scale.     

Canonical connections of Finsler metrics and Finslerian connections on Riemannian metrics

A concept of canonical connection of a Finsler metric is developed. Connections that are compatible with Finsler metrics are compared with the canonical connection itself. They are also compared with the corresponding Cartan connection. A necessary and sufficient condition on metric Finsler connections is given for the metric to be Riemannian. This study unearths different ways in which Finsler geometry could be used to generalize the theory of general relativity.     

Beyond the speed of light on Finsler spacetimes

As a prototypical massive field theory we study the scalar field on the recently introduced Finsler spacetimes. We show that particle excitations exist that propagate faster than the speed of light recognized as the boundary velocity of observers. This effect appears already in Finsler spacetime geometries with very small departures from Lorentzian metric geometry. It switches on for a sufficiently large ratio of the particle four-momentum and mass, and is the consequence of a modified version of the Coleman–Glashow velocity dispersion relation. The momentum dispersion relation on Finsler spacetimes is shown to be the same as on metric spacetimes, which differs from many quantum gravity models. If similar relations resulted for fermions on Finsler spacetimes, these generalized geometries could explain the potential observation of superluminal neutrinos claimed by the Opera Collaboration.     

Gravity, non-commutative geometry and the Wodzicki residue

We derive an action for gravity in the framework of non-commutative geometry by using the Wodzicki residue. We prove that for a Dirac operator D on an n dimensional compact Riemannian manifold with n ≥ 4, n even, the Wodzicki residue Res(D⁻ⁿ⁺²) is the integral of the second coefficient of the heat kernel expansion of D². We use this result to derive a gravity action for commutative geometry which is the usual Einstein-Hilbert action and we also apply our results to a non-commutative extension which is given by the tensor product of the algebra of smooth functions on a manifold and a finite dimensional matrix algebra. In this case we obtain gravity with a cosmological constant.     

Fine structure constant variation or spacetime anisotropy?

Recent observations on the quasar absorption spectra supply evidence for the variation of the fine structure constant α. In this paper, we propose another interpretation of the observational data on the quasar absorption spectra: a scenario with spacetime inhomogeneity and anisotropy. Maybe the spacetime is characterized by the Finsler geometry instead of the Riemann one. The Finsler geometry admits fewer symmetries than the Riemann geometry does. We investigate the Finslerian geodesic equations in the Randers spacetime (a special Finsler spacetime). It is found that the cosmological redshift in this spacetime deviates from the one in general relativity. The modification term to the redshift could be generally revealed as a monopole plus dipole function of spacetime locations and directions. We suggest that this modification corresponds to the spatial monopole and dipole of α variation in the quasar absorption spectra.     

Eikonal Approximation to 5D Wave Equations and the 4D Space-Time Metric

We apply a method analogous to the eikonal approximation to the Maxwell wave equations in an inhomogeneous anisotropic medium and geodesic motion in a three dimensional Riemannian manifold, using a method which identifies the symplectic structure of the corresponding mechanics, to the five dimensional generalization of Maxwell theory required by the gauge invariance of Stueckelberg's covariant classical and quantum dynamics. In this way, we demonstrate, in the eikonal approximation, the existence of geodesic motion for the flow of mass in a four dimensional pseudo-Riemannian manifold. These results provide a foundation for the geometrical optics of the five dimensional radiation theory and establish a model in which there is mass flow along geodesics. We then discuss the interesting case of relativistic quantum theory in an anisotropic medium as well. In this case the eikonal approximation to the relativistic quantum mechanical current coincides with the geodesic flow governed by the pseudo-Riemannian metric obtained from the eikonal approximation to solutions of the Stueckelberg–Schrödinger equation. The locally symplectic structure which emerges is that of a generally covariant form of Stueckelberg's mechanics on this manifold.     

Viability criteria for the theories of gravity and finsler spaces

It is commonly held that the Riemannian geometry adopted as the theoretical framework within which observations and experiments, concerning the correct theory of gravity, are analyzed is the most general viable geometry consistent with observed phenomena. This viewpoint is further strengthened by the belief that the projective and the conformal structures of the space-time together with an additional assumption concerning the constancy of the norm of vectors under parallel transport would uniquely determine its underlying geometry to be Riemannian. We show here that a more general geometrical framework due to Finsler can be made compatible with these structures and still remain non-Riemannian. The potential importance of this result in connection with developing and testing alternative theories of gravity is briefly discussed.     

Basic principles of the Finsler theory of relativity. I

Physical principles are considered from which may be developed a generalization of relativity theory based on Finsler geometry, which is a metric generalization of Riemannian geometry.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 7, pp. 58–62, 1978.     

The Egorov theorem for transverse Dirac-type operators on foliated manifolds

Egorov’s theorem for transversally elliptic operators, acting on sections of a vector bundle over a compact foliated manifold, is proved. This theorem relates the quantum evolution of transverse pseudodifferential operators determined by a first-order transversally elliptic operator with the (classical) evolution of its symbols determined by the parallel transport along the orbits of the associated transverse bicharacteristic flow. For a particular case of a transverse Dirac operator, the transverse bicharacteristic flow is shown to be given by the transverse geodesic flow and the parallel transport by the parallel transport determined by the transverse Levi-Civita connection. These results allow us to describe the noncommutative geodesic flow in noncommutative geometry of Riemannian foliations.     

Modified dispersion relations in Hořava–Lifshitz gravity and Finsler brane models

We study possible links between quantum gravity phenomenology encoding Lorentz violations as nonlinear dispersions, the Einstein–Finsler gravity models, EFG, and nonholonomic (non-integrable) deformations to Hořava–Lifshitz, HL, and/or Einstein’s general relativity, GR, theories. EFG and its scaling anisotropic versions formulated as Hořava–Finsler models, HF, are constructed as covariant metric compatible theories on (co) tangent bundle to Lorentz manifolds and respective anisotropic deformations. Such theories are integrable in general form and can be quantized following standard methods of deformation quantization, A-brane formalism and/or (perturbatively) as a nonholonomic gauge like model with bi-connection structure. There are natural warping/trapping mechanisms, defined by the maximal velocity of light and locally anisotropic gravitational interactions in a (pseudo) Finsler bulk spacetime, to four dimensional (pseudo) Riemannian spacetimes. In this approach, the HL theory and scenarios of recovering GR at large distances are generated by imposing nonholonomic constraints on the dynamics of HF, or EFG, fields.     

Gravity in non-commutative geometry

We study general relativity in the framework of non-commutative differential geometry. As a prerequisite we develop the basic notions of non-commutative Riemannian geometry, including analogues of Riemannian metric, curvature and scalar curvature. This enables us to introduce a generalized Einstein-Hilbert action for non-commutative Riemannian spaces. As an example we study a space-time which is the product of a four dimensional manifold by a two-point space, using the tools of non-commutative Riemannian geometry, and derive its generalized Einstein-Hilbert action. In the simplest situation, where the Riemannian metric is taken to be the same on the two copies of the manifold, one obtains a model of a scalar field coupled to Einstein gravity. This field is geometrically interpreted as describing the distance between the two points in the internal space.Dedicated to H. ArakiSupported in part by the Swiss National Foundation (SNF)     

Periodic relativity: basic framework of the theory

An alternative gravity theory is proposed which does not rely on Riemannian geometry and geodesic trajectories. The theory named periodic relativity (PR) does not use the weak field approximation and allows every two body system to deviate differently from the flat Minkowski metric. PR differs from general relativity (GR) in predictions of the proper time intervals of distant objects. PR proposes a definite connection between the proper time interval of an object and gravitational frequency shift of its constituent particles as the object travels through the gravitational field. PR is based on the dynamic weak equivalence principle which equates the gravitational mass with the relativistic mass. PR provides very accurate solutions for the Pioneer anomaly and the rotation curves of galaxies outside the framework of general relativity. PR satisfies Einstein’s field equations with respect to the three major GR tests within the solar system and with respect to the derivation of Friedmann equation in cosmology. This article defines the underlying framework of the theory.     

Eikonal approximation to 5D wave equations as geodesic motion in a curved 4D spacetime

We first derive the relation between the eikonal approximation to the Maxwell wave equations in an inhomogeneous anisotropic medium and geodesic motion in a three dimensional Riemannian manifold using a method which identifies the symplectic structure of the corresponding mechanics. We then apply an analogous method to the five dimensional generalization of Maxwell theory required by the gauge invariance of Stueckelbergs covariant classical and quantum dynamics to demonstrate, in the eikonal approximation, the existence of geodesic motion for the flow of mass in a four dimensional pseudo-Riemannian manifold. No motion of the medium is required. These results provide a foundation for the geometrical optics of the five dimensional radiation theory and establish a model in which there is mass flow along geodesics. Finally, we discuss the interesting case of relativistic quantum theory in an anisotropic medium as well. In this case the eikonal approximation to the relativistic quantum mechanical current coincides with the geodesic flow governed by the pseudo-Riemannian metric obtained from the eikonal approximation to solutions of the Stueckelberg-Schrödinger equation. This construction provides a model for an underlying quantum mechanical structure for classical dynamical motion along geodesics on a pseudo-Riemannian manifold. The locally symplectic structure which emerges is that of Stueckelbergs covariant mechanics on this manifold.This revised version was published online in April 2005. The publishing date was inserted.     

Some aspects of the geometrization of classical electrodynamics based on the supercontinuum model

The main ideas of the geometrization of classical electrodynamics based on the model of a supercontinuum (SC) are described in detail and the geodesic equation is derived. A relativistic Lagrangian equation is found for a free point particle in the SC. The affiliation of possible SC metric geometries to the class of Finsler geometries is analyzed. It is shown that they are not Finsler geometries, and Finsler geometries are unsuitable for the geometrization problem. Some physical consequences of the simplest metric version of SC geometry are discussed.Institute of the Mechanics of Continuous Media, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 5, pp. 102–106, May, 1995.     

Modified Newton's gravity in Finsler space as a possible alternative to dark matter hypothesis

A modified Newton's gravity is obtained as the weak field approximation of the Einstein's equation in Finsler space. It is found that a specified Finsler structure makes the modified Newton's gravity equivalent to the modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND). In the framework of Finsler geometry, the flat rotation curves of spiral galaxies can be deduced naturally without invoking dark matter.