To perform realistic tests of theories of gravity, we need to be able to look beyond general relativity and evaluate the consistency of alternative theories with observational data from, especially, gravitational wave detections using, for example, a
n agnostic Bayesian approach. In this paper we further examine properties of one class of such viable, alternative theories, based on metrics arising from ungauged supergravity. In particular, we examine the massless, neutral, minimally coupled scalar wave equation in a general stationary, axisymmetric background metric such as that of a charged rotating black hole, when the scalar field is either time independent or in the low-frequency, near-zone limit, with a view to calculating the Love numbers of tidal perturbations, and of obtaining harmonic coordinates for the background metric. For a four-parameter family of charged asymptotically flat rotating black hole solutions of ungauged supergravity theory known as STU black holes, which includes Kaluza-Klein black holes and the Kerr-Sen black hole as special cases, we find that all time-independent solutions, and hence the harmonic coordinates of the metrics, are identical to those of the Kerr solution. In the low-frequency limit we find the scalar fields exhibit the same $SL(2,R)$ symmetry as holds in the case of the Kerr solution. We point out extensions of our results to a wider class of metrics, which includes solutions of Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton theory.
The motion of a dynamical system on an $n$-dimensional configuration space may be regarded as the lightlike shadow of null geodsics moving in an $(n+2)$ dimensional spacetime known as its Einsenhart-Duval lift. In this paper it is shown that if the c
onfiguration space is $n$-dimensional Euclidean space, and in the absence of magnetic type forces, the Eisenhart-Duval lift may be regarded as an $(n+1)$-brane moving in a flat $(n+4)$ -dimensional space with two times. If the Eisenhart-Duval lift is Ricci flat, then the $(n+1)$-brane moves in such a way as to extremise its spacetime volume. A striking example is provided by the motion of $N$ point particles moving in three-dimensional Euclidean space under the influence of their mutual gravitational attraction. Embeddings with curved configuration space metrics and velocity dependent forces are also be constructed. Some of the issues arising from the two times are addressed.
We outline a proof of the stability of a massless neutral scalar field $psi$ in the background of a wide class of four dimensional asymptotically flat rotating and ``electrically charged solutions of supergravity, and the low energy limit of string t
heory, known as STU metrics. Despite their complexity, we find it possible to circumvent the difficulties presented by the existence of ergo-regions and the related phenomenon of super-radiance in the original metrics by following a strategy due to Whiting, and passing to an auxiliary metric admitting an everywhere lightlike Killing field and constructing a scalar field $Psi$ (related to a possible unstable mode $psi$ by a non-local transformation) which satisfies the massless wave equation with respect to the auxiliary metric. By contrast with the case for $psi$, the associated energy density of $Psi$ is not only conserved but is also non-negative.
We study a free scalar field $phi$ in a fixed curved background spacetime subject to a higher derivative field equation of the form $F(Box)phi =0$, where $F$ is a polynomial of the form $F(Box)= prod_i (Box-m_i^2)$ and all masses $m_i$ are distinct a
nd real. Using an auxiliary field method to simplify the calculations, we obtain expressions for the Belinfante-Rosenfeld symmetric energy-momentum tensor and compare it with the canonical energy-momentum tensor when the background is Minkowski spacetime. We also obtain the conserved symplectic current necessary for quantisation and briefly discuss the issue of negative energy versus negative norm and its relation to Reflection Positivity in Euclidean treatments. We study, without assuming spherical symmetry, the possible existence of finite energy static solutions of the scalar equations, in static or stationary background geometries. Subject to various assumptions on the potential, we establish non-existence results including a no-scalar-hair theorem for static black holes. We consider Pais-Uhlenbeck field theories in a cosmological de Sitter background, and show how the Hubble friction may eliminate what would otherwise be unstable behaviour when interactions are included.
Two lectures given in Paris in 1985. They were circulated as a preprint Solitons And Black Holes In Four-Dimensions, Five-Dimensions. G.W. Gibbons (Cambridge U.) . PRINT-85-0958 (CAMBRIDGE), (Received Dec 1985). 14pp. and appeared in print in De Vega
, H.J. ( Ed.), Sanchez, N. ( Ed.) : Field Theory, Quantum Gravity and Strings*, 46-59 and Preprint - GIBBONS, G.W. (REC.OCT.85) 14p. I have scanned the original, reformatted and and corrected various typos.
Many discussions in the literature of spacetimes with more than one Killing horizon note that some horizons have positive and some have negative surface gravities, but assign to all a positive temperature. However, the first law of thermodynamics the
n takes a non-standard form. We show that if one regards the Christodoulou and Ruffini formula for the total energy or enthalpy as defining the Gibbs surface, then the rules of Gibbsian thermodynamics imply that negative temperatures arise inevitably on inner horizons, as does the conventional form of the first law. We provide many new examples of this phenomenon, including black holes in STU supergravity. We also give a discussion of left and right temperatures and entropies, and show that both the left and right temperatures are non-negative. The left-hand sector contributes exactly half the total energy of the system, and the right-hand sector contributes the other half. Both the sectors satisfy conventional first laws and Smarr formulae. For spacetimes with a positive cosmological constant, the cosmological horizon is naturally assigned a negative Gibbsian temperature. We also explore entropy-product formulae and a novel entropy-inversion formula, and we use them to test whether the entropy is a super-additive function of the extensive variables. We find that super-additivity is typically satisfied, but we find a counterexample for dyonic Kaluza-Klein black holes.
Circularly polarized gravitational sandwich waves exhibit, as do their linearly polarized counterparts, the Velocity Memory Effect: freely falling test particles in the flat after-zone fly apart along straight lines with constant velocity. In the ins
ide zone their trajectories combine oscillatory and rotational motions in a complicated way. For circularly polarized periodic gravitational waves some trajectories remain bounded, while others spiral outward. These waves admit an additional screw isometry beyond the usual five. The consequences of this extra symmetry are explored.
A cosmological extension of the Eisenhart-Duval metric is constructed by incorporating a cosmic scale factor and the energy-momentum tensor into the scheme. The dynamics of the spacetime is governed the Ermakov-Milne-Pinney equation. Killing isometri
es include spatial translations and rotations, Newton--Hooke boosts and translation in the null direction. Geodesic motion in Ermakov-Milne-Pinney cosmoi is analyzed. The derivation of the Ermakov-Lewis invariant, the Friedmann equations and the Dmitriev-Zeldovich equations within the Eisenhart--Duval framework is presented.
The problem of finding null geodesics in a stationary Lorentzian spacetime is known to to be equivalent to finding the geodsics of a Randers-Finlser structure. This latter problem is equivalent to finding the motion of charged particles moving on a R
iemannian manifold in a background magnetic field or equivalently, by a generalization of Fermats principle, to Zermelos problem of extremizing travel time of an aeroplane in the presence of a wind. In this paper this triad of equivalences is extended to include recent model of the spread of a forest fire which uses form of Huyghens principle. The construction may also be used to solve a problem in quantum control theory in which one seeks a control Hamiltonia taking an initial state of a quantum mechanical system with its own Hamiltonian to a desired final state in least time. The associated stationary spacetime may be thought of as defined on an extended quantum phase space (Souriaus evolution space), the space of quantum stares being complex projective space equipped with its Fubini-Study Kahler metric. It is possible that this spacetime view point may provide insights relevant for our understanding of quantum gravity.
The equations of null geodesics in the STU family of rotating black hole solutions of supergravity theory, which may be considered as deformations of the vacuum Kerr metric, are completely integrable. We propose that they be used as a foil to test, f
or example, with what precision the gravitational field external to the black hole at the centre of our galaxy is given by the Kerr metric. By contrast with some metrics proposed in the literature, the STU metrics satisfy by construction the dominant and strong energy conditions. Our considerations may be extended to include the effects of a cosmological term. We show that these metrics permit a straightforward calculation of the properties of black hole shadows.
