Vacuum quantum effect for curved boundaries in static Robertson–Walker space–time

The energy–momentum tensor for a massless conformally coupled scalar field in the region between two curved boundaries in k=−1 static Robertson–Walker space–time is investigated. We assume that the scalar field satisfies the Dirichlet boundary condition on the boundaries. k=−1 Robertson–Walker space is conformally related to the Rindler space, as a result we can obtain vacuum expectation values of energy–momentum tensor for conformally invariant field in Robertson–Walker space from the corresponding Rindler counterpart by the conformal transformation.     

LETTER: Conformal Ricci Collineations of Space-Times

We study conformal vector fields on space-times which in addition are compatible with the Ricci tensor (so-called conformal Ricci collineations). In the case of Einstein metrics any conformal vector field is automatically a Ricci collineation as well. For Riemannian manifolds, conformal Ricci collineation were called concircular vector fields and studied in the relationship with the geometry of geodesic circles. Here we obtain a partial classification of space-times carrying proper conformal Ricci collineations. There are examples which are not Einstein metrics.     

Conformally related metrics and Lagrangians and their physical interpretation in cosmology

Conformally related metrics and Lagrangians are considered in the context of scalar–tensor gravity cosmology. After the discussion of the problem, we pose a lemma in which we show that the field equations of two conformally related Lagrangians are also conformally related if and only if the corresponding Hamiltonian vanishes. Then we prove that to every non-minimally coupled scalar field, we may associate a unique minimally coupled scalar field in a conformally related space with an appropriate potential. The latter result implies that the field equations of a non-minimally coupled scalar field are the same at the conformal level with the field equations of the minimally coupled scalar field. This fact is relevant in order to select physical variables among conformally equivalent systems. Finally, we find that the above propositions can be extended to a general Riemannian space of $n$ n -dimensions.     

Conformal groups and conformally equivalent isometry groups

It is shown that if ann dimensional Riemannian or pseudo-Riemannian manifold admits a proper conformal scalar, every (local) conformal group is conformally isometric, and that if it admits a proper conformal gradient every (local) conformal group is conformally homothetic. In the Riemannian case there is always a conformal scalar unless the metric is conformally Euclidean. In the case of a Lorentzian 4-manifold it is proved that the only metrics with no conformal scalars (and hence the only ones admitting a (local) conformal group not conformally isometric) are either conformal to the plane wave metric with parallel rays or conformally Minkowskian.     

Weyl geometry

We develop the properties of Weyl geometry, beginning with a review of the conformal properties of Riemannian spacetimes. Decomposition of the Riemann curvature into trace and traceless parts allows an easy proof that the Weyl curvature tensor is the conformally invariant part of the Riemann curvature, and shows the explicit change in the Ricci and Schouten tensors required to insure conformal invariance. We include a proof of the well-known condition for the existence of a conformal transformation to a Ricci-flat spacetime. We generalize this to a derivation of the condition for the existence of a conformal transformation to a spacetime satisfying the Einstein equation with matter sources. Then, enlarging the symmetry from Poincaré to Weyl, we develop the Cartan structure equations of Weyl geometry, the form of the curvature tensor and its relationship to the Riemann curvature of the corresponding Riemannian geometry. We present a simple theory of Weyl-covariant gravity based on a curvature-linear action, and show that it is conformally equivalent to general relativity. This theory is invariant under local dilatations, but not the full conformal group.     

Conformal invariance and the six-dimensional formalism

Conformal invariance is discussed assuming the equations are well defined in arbitrary coordinate systems. This assumption leads to some constraints on scale dimensions of terms, and constraints on the introduction of ‘conformally invariant massive equations’. The six-dimensional formalism is then discussed, and is generalized to project to all conformally flat spaces. Finally the imbedding of Minkowski space equations is studied.SO(4, 2) breaking is seen to enter due to the presence of a non-invariant scalar field, and a non-invariant vector field. The theorem relating invariance of the six-space equations underSO(4, 2) to the invariance of their corresponding four-space equations under the conformal group is carefully stated and proved.     

Conformal Einstein spaces

We study conformal transformations in four-dimensional manifolds. In particular, we present a new set of two necessary and sufficient conditions for a space to be conformal to an Einstein space. The first condition defines the class of spaces conformal to C spaces, whereas the last one (the vanishing of the Bach tensor) gives the particular subclass ofC spaces which are conformally related to Einstein spaces.This work has been partly supported bym a grand from the National Science Foundation.     

Acceleration of the Universe in Matter Dominant Era by Conformal Symmetry Breaking

We introduce a scenario in which the breakdown of conformal symmetry is responsible for the acceleration of universe in the matter dominant era. In this regard, we consider a self interacting scalar field non-minimally coupled to the Ricci scalar and the trace of energy-momentum tensor. For a traceless energy-momentum tensor in radiation dominant era, the coupling to matter vanishes and we are left with a conformal invariant gravitational action of Deser, where the universe may experience a decelerating phase in agreement with observations. In matter dominant era, the coupling to matter no longer vanishes, the conformal symmetry is broken down, and the matter inevitably becomes pressureless. The corresponding field equations are obtained and it is shown that the universe may have an accelerating phase in this era, provided that the value of self interaction coupling constant satisfies an specific lower bound. Moreover, we provide a reasonable solution to the coincidence problem.     

Casimir Effect for Moving Branes in Static dS4+1 Bulk

In this paper we study the Casimir effect for conformally coupled massless scalar fields on background of Static dS₄₊₁ spacetime. We will consider the general plane–symmetric solutions of the gravitational field equations and boundary conditions of the Dirichlet type on the branes. Then we calculate the vacuum energy-momentum tensor in a configuration in which the boundary branes are moving by uniform proper acceleration in static de Sitter background. Static de Sitter space is conformally related to the Rindler space, as a result we can obtain vacuum expectation values of energy-momentum tensor for conformally invariant field in static de Sitter space from the corresponding Rindler counterpart by the conformal transformation.     

An exact solution of Einstein's equation with a dilaton field

An exact solution of Einstein gravity coupled to a dilaton field is found. The solution is conformally flat and is invariant under Lorentz transformations. The singularities and conformal structure of the metric are examined.     

The backreaction for conformally invariant fields on a conformally flat background

We study conformally invariant fields within the context of semi-classical gravity. We claim that, generically, conformal flatness implies Friedmann-Robertson-Walker behaviour. A proof is presented here for the case in which the Ricci tensor is of the perfect fluid type. We also rewrite the field equations as a quadratic three dimensional autonomous system of ordinary differential equations, the critical points of which are Minkowski space and de Sitter space. Both these critical points are unstable in the linear as well as in the non-linear theory.This essay received an honorable mention from the Gravity Research Foundation, 1990 —Ed.     

On the Dirac eigenvalues as observables of the on-shell <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis> = 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis> = 4 Euclidean supergravity

We generalize previous works on the Dirac eigenvalues as dynamical variables of Euclidean gravity and N =1 D = 4 supergravity to on-shell N = 2 D = 4 Euclidean supergravity. The covariant phase space of the theory is defined as the space of the solutions of the equations of motion modulo the on-shell gauge transformations. In this space we define the Poisson brackets and compute their value for the Dirac eigenvalues.      

A “conformal” perfect fluid in the classical vacuum

The possible existence of a conformal perfect fluid in the classical vacuum is investigated in this paper. It is shown, contrary to Madsen's opinion, that the scalar field stress tensor acquires a perfect fluid form even with a nonminimal coupling (=1/6) in the Einstein Lagrangian provided the geometry is the Lorentzian analog of the Euclidean Hawking wormhole. In addition, ourT equals, up to a constant factor, the vacuum expectation value of Fulling's stress tensor for a massless scalar field and Visser's one concerning traversable wormholes. On the other side of the light cone, there is a coordinate system (the dimensionally reduced Witten bubble) where the stress tensor becomes diagonal.     

Conformal transformations and conformal invariance in gravitation

Conformal transformations are frequently used tools in order to study relations between various theories of gravity and Einstein's general relativity theory. In this paper we discuss the rules of these transformations for geometric quantities as well as for the matter energy‐momentum tensor. We show the subtlety of the matter energy‐momentum conservation law which refers to the fact that the conformal transformation “creates” an extra matter term composed of the conformal factor which enters the conservation law. In an extreme case of the flat original spacetime the matter is “created” due to work done by the conformal transformation to bend the spacetime which was originally flat. We discuss how to construct the conformally invariant gravity theories and also find the conformal transformation rules for the curvature invariants R², R_abR^ab, R_abcdR^abcd and the Gauss‐Bonnet invariant in a spacetime of an arbitrary dimension. Finally, we present the conformal transformation rules in the fashion of the duality transformations of the superstring theory. In such a case the transitions between conformal frames reduce to a simple change of the sign of a redefined conformal factor.     

Conformal transformations in metric‐affine gravity and ghosts

Conformal transformations play a widespread role in gravity theories in regard to their cosmological and other implications. In the pure metric theory of gravity, conformal transformations change the frame to a new one wherein one obtains a conformal‐invariant scalar–tensor theory such that the scalar field, deriving from the conformal factor, is a ghost. In this work, conformal transformations and ghosts will be analyzed in the framework of the metric‐affine theory of gravity. Within this framework, metric and connection are independent variables, and, hence, transform independently under conformal transformations. It will be shown that, if affine connection is invariant under conformal transformations, then the scalar field of concern is a non‐ghost, non‐dynamical field. It is an auxiliary field at the classical level, and might develop a kinetic term at the quantum level. Alternatively, if connection transforms additively with a structure similar to yet more general than that of the Levi‐Civita connection, the resulting action describes the gravitational dynamics correctly, and, more importantly, the scalar field becomes a dynamical non‐ghost field. The equations of motion, for generic geometrical and matter‐sector variables, do not reduce connection to the Levi‐Civita connection, and, hence, independence of connection from metric is maintained. Therefore, metric‐affine gravity provides an arena in which ghosts arising from the conformal factor are avoided thanks to the independence of connection from the metric.     

The T-dual symmetries of a bosonic string

We investigate whether the symmetry transformations of a bosonic string are connected by T-duality. We start with a standard closed string theory. We continue with a modified open string theory, modified to preserve the symmetry transformations possessed by the closed string theory. Because the string theory is conformally invariant world-sheet field theory, in order to find the transformations which preserve the physics, one has to demand the isomorphism between the conformal field theories corresponding to the initial and the transformed field configurations. We find the symmetry transformations corresponding to the similarity transformation of the energy-momentum tensor, and find that their generators are T-dual. Particularly, we find that the general coordinate and local gauge transformations are T-dual, so we conclude that T-duality in addition to the well-known exchanges, transforms symmetries of the initial and its T-dual theory into each other.     

Separation of variables and symmetry operators for the conformally invariant Klein-Gordon equation on curved spacetime

The separability of the conformally invariant Klein-Gordon equation and the Laplace-Beltrami equation are contrasted on two classes of Petrov type D curved spacetimes, showing that neither implies the other. The second-order symmetry operators corresponding to the separation of variables of the conformally invariant Klein-Gordon equation are constructed in both classes and the most general second-order symmetry operator for the conformally invariant Klein-Gordon operator on a general curved background is characterized tensorially in terms of a valence two-symmetric tensor satisfying the conformal Killing tensor equation and further constraints.     

Auxiliary Conformally Invariant Higher-Spin Field in de Sitter Space

We employ de Sitter isometry to study a mixed symmetric rank-3 tensor field in de Sitter space by finding the field equation, solution and two-point function which are conformally invariant. It is proved that such a tensor field plays a key role in conformal theory of linear gravity (Binegar et al., Phys. Rev. D 27, 2249, 1983) . In de Sitter space from the group theoretical point of view this kind of tensor could associate with two unitary irreducible representations (UIR) of the de Sitter group (Takook et al., J.Math. Phys. 51, 032503, 2010), which one representation has a flat limit, namely, in zero curvature coincides to the UIR of Poincaré group, however, the second one which is named as auxiliary field, becomes significant in the study of conformal gravity in de Sitter background. We show that the rank-3 tensor solution can be written in terms of a massless minimally coupled scalar field and also the related two-point function is a function of a massless minimally coupled scalar two-point function.     

Factorization of bosonic string amplitudes

We consider the bosonic string path integral over degenerating Riemann surfaces. We first review the factorization of conformal field theory on a degenerating surface. A careful treatment of the degeneration of the measure for moduli leads to a modification of the usual ghost insertions so as to assure covariance under a change of conformal frame. More generally, amplitudes with BRST invariant but conformally non-invariant operators are well defined with the covariant ghost insertions. As a detailed application we study the string modifications to the background field equations. We find to first order in the tadpole and all orders in string coupling that the ratio of the graviton source, dilaton source, and zero-point amplitude agrees with that found from general covariance and the soft-dilaton theorem in the low-energy field theory. We also discuss the unitarity of the bosonic string theory,     

Metric and Ricci tensors for a certain class of space-times ofD type

The class of space-times has been determined at the connection level, assuming the existence of some symmetrical relations between the Ricci rotation coefficients. It has been assumed, for instance, that at least two shear-free congruences of null geodesics exist. We have shown that onlyD type or conformally flat space-times can belong to this class. The theorem has been proved that a system of coordinates exists in which the metric tensor can depend on two coordinates, only. The metric tensor has been determined with an accuracy to two functions, each of which is a function of only one coordinate. Linear, second-order differential expressions have been found for these two functions. They determine the Ricci tensor. Several solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell equations with a cosmological constant are given.On leave from the Institute of Theoretical Physics, Warsaw University, Warsaw, Poland.