JESPER LÜTZEN
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780198567370
- eISBN:
- 9780191717925
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198567370.003.0021
- Subject:
- Physics, History of Physics
In his book Principles of Mechanics, Heinrich Hertz treats integral principles in three parts. First, he discusses the properties of geodesics and their relation to straightest paths in a purely ...
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In his book Principles of Mechanics, Heinrich Hertz treats integral principles in three parts. First, he discusses the properties of geodesics and their relation to straightest paths in a purely geometric way. These investigations then form the basis for a discussion of integral principles applied to the motion of free systems, and finally to the motion of conservative systems. Hertz's approach differed from the usual approach in three respects. First, it was based on his geometry of systems of points. Second, it dealt with forces as an indirect result of a coupling of the visible system with a hidden system. Third, it limited the applicability of even the most general of these principles (Hamilton's principle) to special mechanical systems declaring that it was invalid in general. Hertz pointed out that Hamilton's principle and the principle of least action did not apply to non-holonomic systems.Less
In his book Principles of Mechanics, Heinrich Hertz treats integral principles in three parts. First, he discusses the properties of geodesics and their relation to straightest paths in a purely geometric way. These investigations then form the basis for a discussion of integral principles applied to the motion of free systems, and finally to the motion of conservative systems. Hertz's approach differed from the usual approach in three respects. First, it was based on his geometry of systems of points. Second, it dealt with forces as an indirect result of a coupling of the visible system with a hidden system. Third, it limited the applicability of even the most general of these principles (Hamilton's principle) to special mechanical systems declaring that it was invalid in general. Hertz pointed out that Hamilton's principle and the principle of least action did not apply to non-holonomic systems.
Harvey R. Brown
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2006
- ISBN:
- 9780199275830
- eISBN:
- 9780191603914
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0199275831.003.0009
- Subject:
- Philosophy, Philosophy of Science
In his 1923 book The Mathematical Theory of Relativity, Arthur Eddington distinguished between two chains of reasoning in general relativity. The first familiar one starts with the existence of the ...
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In his 1923 book The Mathematical Theory of Relativity, Arthur Eddington distinguished between two chains of reasoning in general relativity. The first familiar one starts with the existence of the four-dimensional space-time interval ds, whose meaning is the usual one associated with the readings of physical rods and clocks and possibly light rays. The other less familiar chain of reasoning ‘binds the physical manifestations of the energy tensor and the interval; it passes from matter as now defined by the energy-tensor to the interval regarded as the result of measurements made with this matter.’ This chapter takes up the challenge of outlining this second chain of reasoning. In developing this reasoning, it argues that the dynamical underpinning of relativistic kinematics that has been defended in this book is consistent with the structure and logic of GR.Less
In his 1923 book The Mathematical Theory of Relativity, Arthur Eddington distinguished between two chains of reasoning in general relativity. The first familiar one starts with the existence of the four-dimensional space-time interval ds, whose meaning is the usual one associated with the readings of physical rods and clocks and possibly light rays. The other less familiar chain of reasoning ‘binds the physical manifestations of the energy tensor and the interval; it passes from matter as now defined by the energy-tensor to the interval regarded as the result of measurements made with this matter.’ This chapter takes up the challenge of outlining this second chain of reasoning. In developing this reasoning, it argues that the dynamical underpinning of relativistic kinematics that has been defended in this book is consistent with the structure and logic of GR.
Leon Ehrenpreis
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780198509783
- eISBN:
- 9780191709166
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198509783.003.0007
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Mathematical Physics
This chapter applies the book's methods to various Lie groups. In particular, to the horocyclic and geodesic transforms on G/K.
This chapter applies the book's methods to various Lie groups. In particular, to the horocyclic and geodesic transforms on G/K.
Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199230723
- eISBN:
- 9780191710872
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199230723.003.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Applied Mathematics
This chapter presents a survey of the basic definitions of Riemannian and Lorentzian differential geometry used in this book. The first nine sections use the simplest formulations, in local ...
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This chapter presents a survey of the basic definitions of Riemannian and Lorentzian differential geometry used in this book. The first nine sections use the simplest formulations, in local coordinates, as they are needed for the first five chapters and physical applications. The later sections contain material used in the following, more advanced, chapters. Topics covered include manifolds, differential mappings, vectors and tensors, pseudo-Riemannian metrics, Riemannian connection, geodesics, curvature, geodesic deviation, maximum length and conjugate points, linearized Ricci and Einstein tensors, and second derivative of the Ricci tensor.Less
This chapter presents a survey of the basic definitions of Riemannian and Lorentzian differential geometry used in this book. The first nine sections use the simplest formulations, in local coordinates, as they are needed for the first five chapters and physical applications. The later sections contain material used in the following, more advanced, chapters. Topics covered include manifolds, differential mappings, vectors and tensors, pseudo-Riemannian metrics, Riemannian connection, geodesics, curvature, geodesic deviation, maximum length and conjugate points, linearized Ricci and Einstein tensors, and second derivative of the Ricci tensor.
Jacques Franchi and Yves Le Jan
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199654109
- eISBN:
- 9780191745676
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199654109.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Mathematical Physics
The idea of this book is to illustrate an interplay between distinct domains of mathematics. Firstly, this book provides an introduction to hyperbolic geometry, based on the Lorentz group PSO(1, d) ...
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The idea of this book is to illustrate an interplay between distinct domains of mathematics. Firstly, this book provides an introduction to hyperbolic geometry, based on the Lorentz group PSO(1, d) and its Iwasawa decomposition, commutation relations and Haar measure, and on the hyperbolic Laplacian. The Lorentz group plays a role in relativistic space–time analogous to rotations in Euclidean space. Hyperbolic geometry is the geometry of the unit pseudo-sphere. The boundary of hyperbolic space is defined as the set of light rays. Special attention is given to the geodesic and horocyclic flows. This book presents hyperbolic geometry via special relativity to benefit from physical intuition. Secondly, this book introduces some basic notions of stochastic analysis: the Wiener process, Itô's stochastic integral and Itô calculus. The book studies linear stochastic differential equations on groups of matrices, and diffusion processes on homogeneous spaces. Spherical and hyperbolic Brownian motions, diffusions on stable leaves, and relativistic diffusion are constructed. Thirdly, quotients of hyperbolic space under a discrete group of isometries are introduced, and form the framework in which some elements of hyperbolic dynamics are presented, especially the ergodicity of the geodesic and horocyclic flows. An analysis is given of the chaotic behaviour of the geodesic flow, using stochastic analysis methods. The main result is Sinai's central limit theorem. Some related results (including a construction of the Wiener measure) which complete the expositions of hyperbolic geometry and stochastic calculus are given in the appendices.Less
The idea of this book is to illustrate an interplay between distinct domains of mathematics. Firstly, this book provides an introduction to hyperbolic geometry, based on the Lorentz group PSO(1, d) and its Iwasawa decomposition, commutation relations and Haar measure, and on the hyperbolic Laplacian. The Lorentz group plays a role in relativistic space–time analogous to rotations in Euclidean space. Hyperbolic geometry is the geometry of the unit pseudo-sphere. The boundary of hyperbolic space is defined as the set of light rays. Special attention is given to the geodesic and horocyclic flows. This book presents hyperbolic geometry via special relativity to benefit from physical intuition. Secondly, this book introduces some basic notions of stochastic analysis: the Wiener process, Itô's stochastic integral and Itô calculus. The book studies linear stochastic differential equations on groups of matrices, and diffusion processes on homogeneous spaces. Spherical and hyperbolic Brownian motions, diffusions on stable leaves, and relativistic diffusion are constructed. Thirdly, quotients of hyperbolic space under a discrete group of isometries are introduced, and form the framework in which some elements of hyperbolic dynamics are presented, especially the ergodicity of the geodesic and horocyclic flows. An analysis is given of the chaotic behaviour of the geodesic flow, using stochastic analysis methods. The main result is Sinai's central limit theorem. Some related results (including a construction of the Wiener measure) which complete the expositions of hyperbolic geometry and stochastic calculus are given in the appendices.
Linda Sargent Wood
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- September 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195377743
- eISBN:
- 9780199869404
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195377743.003.0003
- Subject:
- History, American History: 20th Century
Structural engineer Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome was a visible manifestation of holism. Held together in what he described as “synergetic” wholeness, each part relying on neighboring parts for ...
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Structural engineer Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome was a visible manifestation of holism. Held together in what he described as “synergetic” wholeness, each part relying on neighboring parts for stability, his technological design was meant to provide new housing on this planet he dubbed “spaceship earth.” Geodesics served as colorful domiciles for the counterculture, as well as spaces for fairs, military operations, scientific experiments, and sporting events. Fuller's ideas contributed to ongoing discussions in America about the place of the machine in society and nature and about the relationship between technology and nature. For Fuller, who tried to emulate nature through his technological inventions, both nature and technology had a place in the modern landscape. Indeed, to account for his faith in technology and his love for nature, the technological wizard saw nature and technology as complementary parts of one whole. He formed his whole by naturalizing technology and technologizing nature. At the same time, Fuller's cartographic images of the world, his charts of natural resources, his World Game, and his international relationships contributed to cognitive maps that stressed interdependencies and interconnections between countries and peoples. In all, Fuller argued for the equitable distribution of resources and a more just, sustainable world.Less
Structural engineer Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome was a visible manifestation of holism. Held together in what he described as “synergetic” wholeness, each part relying on neighboring parts for stability, his technological design was meant to provide new housing on this planet he dubbed “spaceship earth.” Geodesics served as colorful domiciles for the counterculture, as well as spaces for fairs, military operations, scientific experiments, and sporting events. Fuller's ideas contributed to ongoing discussions in America about the place of the machine in society and nature and about the relationship between technology and nature. For Fuller, who tried to emulate nature through his technological inventions, both nature and technology had a place in the modern landscape. Indeed, to account for his faith in technology and his love for nature, the technological wizard saw nature and technology as complementary parts of one whole. He formed his whole by naturalizing technology and technologizing nature. At the same time, Fuller's cartographic images of the world, his charts of natural resources, his World Game, and his international relationships contributed to cognitive maps that stressed interdependencies and interconnections between countries and peoples. In all, Fuller argued for the equitable distribution of resources and a more just, sustainable world.
Michele Maggiore
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780198570745
- eISBN:
- 9780191717666
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198570745.003.0001
- Subject:
- Physics, Particle Physics / Astrophysics / Cosmology
This chapter discusses how gravitational waves emerge from general relativity, and what their properties are. The most straightforward approach is ‘linearized theory’, where the Einstein equations ...
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This chapter discusses how gravitational waves emerge from general relativity, and what their properties are. The most straightforward approach is ‘linearized theory’, where the Einstein equations are expanded around the flat Minkowski metric. It is shown how a wave equation emerges and how the solutions can be put in an especially simple form by an appropriate gauge choice. Using standard tools of general relativity such as the geodesic equation and the equation of the geodesic deviation, how these waves interact with a set of test masses is detailed. The energy and momentum carried by GWs are then computed and discussed. This chapter approaches the problem from a geometric point of view, identifying the energy-momentum tensor of GWs from their effect on the background curvature. Finally, GW propagation in curved space is discussed.Less
This chapter discusses how gravitational waves emerge from general relativity, and what their properties are. The most straightforward approach is ‘linearized theory’, where the Einstein equations are expanded around the flat Minkowski metric. It is shown how a wave equation emerges and how the solutions can be put in an especially simple form by an appropriate gauge choice. Using standard tools of general relativity such as the geodesic equation and the equation of the geodesic deviation, how these waves interact with a set of test masses is detailed. The energy and momentum carried by GWs are then computed and discussed. This chapter approaches the problem from a geometric point of view, identifying the energy-momentum tensor of GWs from their effect on the background curvature. Finally, GW propagation in curved space is discussed.
Roberto Torretti
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780197263464
- eISBN:
- 9780191734748
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197263464.003.0004
- Subject:
- Philosophy, General
This chapter devotes equal attention to special relativity and general relativity. It first describes the history of the analysis of distant simultaneity, up to and including Einstein's procedure in ...
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This chapter devotes equal attention to special relativity and general relativity. It first describes the history of the analysis of distant simultaneity, up to and including Einstein's procedure in his revolutionary 1905 paper which introduced special relativity. In particular, the discussion relates Einstein's procedure to the ensuing philosophical debate about whether distant simultaneity is a matter of convention. As to general relativity, the discussion gives a brief sketch of Einstein's path towards his discovery of general relativity. Thereafter, it focuses on the topological structure of time or, more precisely, of timelike lines (worldlines) in spacetime. It discusses the closed timelike lines first found in an exact solution of general relativity by Godel; and the open timelike geodesics that get arbitrarily close to the initial singularity (Big Bang) in a Friedmann solution.Less
This chapter devotes equal attention to special relativity and general relativity. It first describes the history of the analysis of distant simultaneity, up to and including Einstein's procedure in his revolutionary 1905 paper which introduced special relativity. In particular, the discussion relates Einstein's procedure to the ensuing philosophical debate about whether distant simultaneity is a matter of convention. As to general relativity, the discussion gives a brief sketch of Einstein's path towards his discovery of general relativity. Thereafter, it focuses on the topological structure of time or, more precisely, of timelike lines (worldlines) in spacetime. It discusses the closed timelike lines first found in an exact solution of general relativity by Godel; and the open timelike geodesics that get arbitrarily close to the initial singularity (Big Bang) in a Friedmann solution.
S. G. Rajeev
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199670857
- eISBN:
- 9780191775154
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199670857.001.0001
- Subject:
- Physics, Atomic, Laser, and Optical Physics
This book begins with the ancient parts of classical mechanics: the variational principle, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms, and Poisson brackets. The simple pendulum provides a glimpse of the ...
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This book begins with the ancient parts of classical mechanics: the variational principle, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms, and Poisson brackets. The simple pendulum provides a glimpse of the beauty of elliptic curves, which will also appear later in rigid body mechanics. Geodesics in Riemannian geometry are presented as an example of a Hamiltonian system. Conversely, the path of a non-relativistic particle is a geodesic in a metric that depends on the potential. Orbits around a black hole are found. Hamilton-Jacobi theory is discussed, showing a path towards quantum mechanics and a connection to the eikonal of optics. The three body problem is studied in detail, including small orbits around the Lagrange points. The dynamics of a charged particle in a magnetic field, especially a magnetic monopole, is studied in the Hamiltonian formalism. Spin is shown to be a classical phenomenon. Symplectic integrators that allow numerical solutions of mechanical systems are derived. A simplified version of Feigenbaum's theory of period doubling introduces chaos. Following a classification of Mobius transformations, this book studies chaos on the complex plane: Julia sets, Fatou sets, and the Mandelblot are explained. Newton's method for solution of non-linear equations is viewed as a dynamical system, allowing a novel approach to the reduction of matrices to canonical form. This is used as a stepping stone to the KAM theory of maps of a circle to itself, unravelling a connection to the Diophantine problem of number theory. KAM theory of the solution of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation using Newton's iteration concludes the book.Less
This book begins with the ancient parts of classical mechanics: the variational principle, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms, and Poisson brackets. The simple pendulum provides a glimpse of the beauty of elliptic curves, which will also appear later in rigid body mechanics. Geodesics in Riemannian geometry are presented as an example of a Hamiltonian system. Conversely, the path of a non-relativistic particle is a geodesic in a metric that depends on the potential. Orbits around a black hole are found. Hamilton-Jacobi theory is discussed, showing a path towards quantum mechanics and a connection to the eikonal of optics. The three body problem is studied in detail, including small orbits around the Lagrange points. The dynamics of a charged particle in a magnetic field, especially a magnetic monopole, is studied in the Hamiltonian formalism. Spin is shown to be a classical phenomenon. Symplectic integrators that allow numerical solutions of mechanical systems are derived. A simplified version of Feigenbaum's theory of period doubling introduces chaos. Following a classification of Mobius transformations, this book studies chaos on the complex plane: Julia sets, Fatou sets, and the Mandelblot are explained. Newton's method for solution of non-linear equations is viewed as a dynamical system, allowing a novel approach to the reduction of matrices to canonical form. This is used as a stepping stone to the KAM theory of maps of a circle to itself, unravelling a connection to the Diophantine problem of number theory. KAM theory of the solution of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation using Newton's iteration concludes the book.
Ta-Pei Cheng
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199573639
- eISBN:
- 9780191722448
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199573639.001.0001
- Subject:
- Physics, Particle Physics / Astrophysics / Cosmology
Einstein's general theory of relativity is introduced in this advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate level textbook. Topics include special relativity, the principle of equivalence, Riemannian ...
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Einstein's general theory of relativity is introduced in this advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate level textbook. Topics include special relativity, the principle of equivalence, Riemannian geometry and tensor analysis, Einstein field equation, as well as many modern cosmological subjects: from primordial inflation, cosmic microwave anisotropy to the dark energy that propels an accelerating universe. The subjects are presented with an emphasis on physical examples and simple applications. One first learns how to describe curved spacetime. At this mathematically more accessible level, the reader can already study the many interesting phenomena such as gravitational lensing, black holes, and cosmology. The full tensor formulation is presented later, when the Einstein equation is solved for a few symmetric cases. Mathematical accessibility, together with the various pedagogical devices (e.g., worked-out solutions of chapter-end problems), make it practical for interested readers to use the book to study general relativity and cosmology on their own. In this new edition of the book, presentations on special relativity and black holes are augmented by new chapters. Other parts of the book are updated to include new observation tests of general relativity (e.g., the double pular system) and more recent evidence for dark matter and dark energy.Less
Einstein's general theory of relativity is introduced in this advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate level textbook. Topics include special relativity, the principle of equivalence, Riemannian geometry and tensor analysis, Einstein field equation, as well as many modern cosmological subjects: from primordial inflation, cosmic microwave anisotropy to the dark energy that propels an accelerating universe. The subjects are presented with an emphasis on physical examples and simple applications. One first learns how to describe curved spacetime. At this mathematically more accessible level, the reader can already study the many interesting phenomena such as gravitational lensing, black holes, and cosmology. The full tensor formulation is presented later, when the Einstein equation is solved for a few symmetric cases. Mathematical accessibility, together with the various pedagogical devices (e.g., worked-out solutions of chapter-end problems), make it practical for interested readers to use the book to study general relativity and cosmology on their own. In this new edition of the book, presentations on special relativity and black holes are augmented by new chapters. Other parts of the book are updated to include new observation tests of general relativity (e.g., the double pular system) and more recent evidence for dark matter and dark energy.
Christopher D. Sogge
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691160757
- eISBN:
- 9781400850549
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691160757.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Numerical Analysis
Based on lectures given at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, and Johns Hopkins University, this book introduces eigenfunctions on Riemannian manifolds. The book gives a proof of the sharp Weyl ...
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Based on lectures given at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, and Johns Hopkins University, this book introduces eigenfunctions on Riemannian manifolds. The book gives a proof of the sharp Weyl formula for the distribution of eigenvalues of Laplace–Beltrami operators, as well as an improved version of the Weyl formula, the Duistermaat-Guillemin theorem under natural assumptions on the geodesic flow. The book shows that there is quantum ergodicity of eigenfunctions if the geodesic flow is ergodic. It begins with a treatment of the Hadamard parametrix before proving the first main result, the sharp Weyl formula. The book avoids the use of Tauberian estimates and instead relies on sup-norm estimates for eigenfunctions. It also gives a rapid introduction to the stationary phase and the basics of the theory of pseudodifferential operators and microlocal analysis. These are used to prove the Duistermaat-Guillemin theorem. Turning to the related topic of quantum ergodicity, the book demonstrates that if the long-term geodesic flow is uniformly distributed, most eigenfunctions exhibit a similar behavior, in the sense that their mass becomes equidistributed as their frequencies go to infinity.Less
Based on lectures given at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, and Johns Hopkins University, this book introduces eigenfunctions on Riemannian manifolds. The book gives a proof of the sharp Weyl formula for the distribution of eigenvalues of Laplace–Beltrami operators, as well as an improved version of the Weyl formula, the Duistermaat-Guillemin theorem under natural assumptions on the geodesic flow. The book shows that there is quantum ergodicity of eigenfunctions if the geodesic flow is ergodic. It begins with a treatment of the Hadamard parametrix before proving the first main result, the sharp Weyl formula. The book avoids the use of Tauberian estimates and instead relies on sup-norm estimates for eigenfunctions. It also gives a rapid introduction to the stationary phase and the basics of the theory of pseudodifferential operators and microlocal analysis. These are used to prove the Duistermaat-Guillemin theorem. Turning to the related topic of quantum ergodicity, the book demonstrates that if the long-term geodesic flow is uniformly distributed, most eigenfunctions exhibit a similar behavior, in the sense that their mass becomes equidistributed as their frequencies go to infinity.
Jean-Michel Bismut
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691151298
- eISBN:
- 9781400840571
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691151298.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, Geometry / Topology
This book uses the hypoelliptic Laplacian to evaluate semisimple orbital integrals in a formalism that unifies index theory and the trace formula. The hypoelliptic Laplacian is a family of operators ...
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This book uses the hypoelliptic Laplacian to evaluate semisimple orbital integrals in a formalism that unifies index theory and the trace formula. The hypoelliptic Laplacian is a family of operators that is supposed to interpolate between the ordinary Laplacian and the geodesic flow. It is essentially the weighted sum of a harmonic oscillator along the fiber of the tangent bundle, and of the generator of the geodesic flow. In this book, semisimple orbital integrals associated with the heat kernel of the Casimir operator are shown to be invariant under a suitable hypoelliptic deformation, which is constructed using the Dirac operator of Kostant. Their explicit evaluation is obtained by localization on geodesics in the symmetric space, in a formula closely related to the Atiyah-Bott fixed point formulas. Orbital integrals associated with the wave kernel are also computed. Estimates on the hypoelliptic heat kernel play a key role in the proofs, and are obtained by combining analytic, geometric, and probabilistic techniques. Analytic techniques emphasize the wavelike aspects of the hypoelliptic heat kernel, while geometrical considerations are needed to obtain proper control of the hypoelliptic heat kernel, especially in the localization process near the geodesics. Probabilistic techniques are especially relevant, because underlying the hypoelliptic deformation is a deformation of dynamical systems on the symmetric space, which interpolates between Brownian motion and the geodesic flow. The Malliavin calculus is used at critical stages of the proof.Less
This book uses the hypoelliptic Laplacian to evaluate semisimple orbital integrals in a formalism that unifies index theory and the trace formula. The hypoelliptic Laplacian is a family of operators that is supposed to interpolate between the ordinary Laplacian and the geodesic flow. It is essentially the weighted sum of a harmonic oscillator along the fiber of the tangent bundle, and of the generator of the geodesic flow. In this book, semisimple orbital integrals associated with the heat kernel of the Casimir operator are shown to be invariant under a suitable hypoelliptic deformation, which is constructed using the Dirac operator of Kostant. Their explicit evaluation is obtained by localization on geodesics in the symmetric space, in a formula closely related to the Atiyah-Bott fixed point formulas. Orbital integrals associated with the wave kernel are also computed. Estimates on the hypoelliptic heat kernel play a key role in the proofs, and are obtained by combining analytic, geometric, and probabilistic techniques. Analytic techniques emphasize the wavelike aspects of the hypoelliptic heat kernel, while geometrical considerations are needed to obtain proper control of the hypoelliptic heat kernel, especially in the localization process near the geodesics. Probabilistic techniques are especially relevant, because underlying the hypoelliptic deformation is a deformation of dynamical systems on the symmetric space, which interpolates between Brownian motion and the geodesic flow. The Malliavin calculus is used at critical stages of the proof.
Ta-Pei Cheng
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199573639
- eISBN:
- 9780191722448
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199573639.003.0005
- Subject:
- Physics, Particle Physics / Astrophysics / Cosmology
Einstein's new theory of gravitation is formulated in a geometric framework of curved spacetime. Here the subject of non-Euclidean geometry is introduced by way of Gauss's theory of curved surfaces. ...
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Einstein's new theory of gravitation is formulated in a geometric framework of curved spacetime. Here the subject of non-Euclidean geometry is introduced by way of Gauss's theory of curved surfaces. Generalized (Gaussian) coordinates: A systematic way to label points in space without reference to any objects outside this space. Metric function: For a given coordinate choice, the metric determines the intrinsic geometric properties of a curved space. Geodesic equation: It describes the shortest and the straightest possible curve in a warped space and is expressed in terms of the metric function. Curvature: It is a nonlinear second derivative of the metric. As the deviation from Euclidean relations is proportional to the curvature, it measures how much the space is warped.Less
Einstein's new theory of gravitation is formulated in a geometric framework of curved spacetime. Here the subject of non-Euclidean geometry is introduced by way of Gauss's theory of curved surfaces. Generalized (Gaussian) coordinates: A systematic way to label points in space without reference to any objects outside this space. Metric function: For a given coordinate choice, the metric determines the intrinsic geometric properties of a curved space. Geodesic equation: It describes the shortest and the straightest possible curve in a warped space and is expressed in terms of the metric function. Curvature: It is a nonlinear second derivative of the metric. As the deviation from Euclidean relations is proportional to the curvature, it measures how much the space is warped.
Ta-Pei Cheng
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199573639
- eISBN:
- 9780191722448
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199573639.003.0006
- Subject:
- Physics, Particle Physics / Astrophysics / Cosmology
A geometric description of equivalence principle physics of gravitational time dilation is presented. In this geometric theory, the metric plays the role of relativistic gravitational potential. ...
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A geometric description of equivalence principle physics of gravitational time dilation is presented. In this geometric theory, the metric plays the role of relativistic gravitational potential. Einstein proposed curved spacetime as the gravitational field. The geodesic equation in spacetime is the GR equation of motion, which is checked to have the correct Newtonian limit. At every spacetime point, one can construct a free-fall frame in which gravity is transformed away. However, in a finite-sized region, one can detect the residual tidal force which is second derivative of gravitational potential. It is the curvature of spacetime. The GR field equation directly relates the mass/energy distribution to spacetime's curvature. Its solution is the metric function, determining the geometry of spacetime.Less
A geometric description of equivalence principle physics of gravitational time dilation is presented. In this geometric theory, the metric plays the role of relativistic gravitational potential. Einstein proposed curved spacetime as the gravitational field. The geodesic equation in spacetime is the GR equation of motion, which is checked to have the correct Newtonian limit. At every spacetime point, one can construct a free-fall frame in which gravity is transformed away. However, in a finite-sized region, one can detect the residual tidal force which is second derivative of gravitational potential. It is the curvature of spacetime. The GR field equation directly relates the mass/energy distribution to spacetime's curvature. Its solution is the metric function, determining the geometry of spacetime.
S. G. Rajeev
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199670857
- eISBN:
- 9780191775154
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199670857.003.0011
- Subject:
- Physics, Atomic, Laser, and Optical Physics
This chapter derives the consequences of scale invariance in the three body problem. Jacobi co-ordinates are introduced. The orbits are geodesics in a certain metric. The three body problem with ...
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This chapter derives the consequences of scale invariance in the three body problem. Jacobi co-ordinates are introduced. The orbits are geodesics in a certain metric. The three body problem with inverse cube force is shown to be more symmetric. Montgomery's ‘pair of pants’ metric is derived. The orbits are geodesics in a metric of negative curvature on the plane with three points removed. The Virial Theorem is suggested as an exercise.Less
This chapter derives the consequences of scale invariance in the three body problem. Jacobi co-ordinates are introduced. The orbits are geodesics in a certain metric. The three body problem with inverse cube force is shown to be more symmetric. Montgomery's ‘pair of pants’ metric is derived. The orbits are geodesics in a metric of negative curvature on the plane with three points removed. The Virial Theorem is suggested as an exercise.
Ta-Pei Cheng
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199573639
- eISBN:
- 9780191722448
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199573639.003.0014
- Subject:
- Physics, Particle Physics / Astrophysics / Cosmology
The mathematical realization of equivalence principle (EP) is the principle of general covariance. General relativity (GR) equations must be covariant with respect to general coordinate ...
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The mathematical realization of equivalence principle (EP) is the principle of general covariance. General relativity (GR) equations must be covariant with respect to general coordinate transformations. To go from special relativity (SR) to GR equations, one replaces ordinary by covariant derivatives. The SR equation of motion turns into the geodesic equation. The Einstein equation, as the relativistic gravitation field equation, relates the energy momentum tensor to the Einstein curvature tensor. The Einstein equation in the space exterior to a spherical source is solved to obtain the Schwarzschild solution. The solutions of Einstein equation that satisfy the cosmological principle is the Robertson-Walker spacetime. The relation of the cosmological Friedmann equations to the Einstein field equation is explicated. The compatibility of the cosmological-constant term with the mathematical structure of Einstein equation and the interpretation of this term as the vacuum energy tensor are discussed.Less
The mathematical realization of equivalence principle (EP) is the principle of general covariance. General relativity (GR) equations must be covariant with respect to general coordinate transformations. To go from special relativity (SR) to GR equations, one replaces ordinary by covariant derivatives. The SR equation of motion turns into the geodesic equation. The Einstein equation, as the relativistic gravitation field equation, relates the energy momentum tensor to the Einstein curvature tensor. The Einstein equation in the space exterior to a spherical source is solved to obtain the Schwarzschild solution. The solutions of Einstein equation that satisfy the cosmological principle is the Robertson-Walker spacetime. The relation of the cosmological Friedmann equations to the Einstein field equation is explicated. The compatibility of the cosmological-constant term with the mathematical structure of Einstein equation and the interpretation of this term as the vacuum energy tensor are discussed.
JESPER LÜTZEN
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780198567370
- eISBN:
- 9780191717925
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198567370.003.0024
- Subject:
- Physics, History of Physics
It has long since been remarked by mathematicians that William Rowan Hamilton's method contains purely geometrical truths, and that a peculiar mode of expression, suitable to it, is required in order ...
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It has long since been remarked by mathematicians that William Rowan Hamilton's method contains purely geometrical truths, and that a peculiar mode of expression, suitable to it, is required in order to express these clearly. But this fact has only come to light in a somewhat perplexing form, namely, in the analogies between ordinary mechanics and the geometry of space of many dimensions. Together with an explicit reference to the work of Eugenio Beltrami, Rudolf Lipschitz, and Jean-Gaston Darboux, Heinrich Hertz made only one other reference to the work on mechanics done by contemporary mathematicians. Hertz correctly connected their work with his own treatment of the Hamiltonian formalism. This chapter gives a short summary of the mathematical developments in Hamilton-Jacobi formalism during the period 1828-1888 and compares them with those of Hertz. The views of Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss and Hamilton on geodesics, optics, and dynamics are discussed, along with those of Joseph Liouville and Lipschitz on the principle of least action, and trajectories as geodesics.Less
It has long since been remarked by mathematicians that William Rowan Hamilton's method contains purely geometrical truths, and that a peculiar mode of expression, suitable to it, is required in order to express these clearly. But this fact has only come to light in a somewhat perplexing form, namely, in the analogies between ordinary mechanics and the geometry of space of many dimensions. Together with an explicit reference to the work of Eugenio Beltrami, Rudolf Lipschitz, and Jean-Gaston Darboux, Heinrich Hertz made only one other reference to the work on mechanics done by contemporary mathematicians. Hertz correctly connected their work with his own treatment of the Hamiltonian formalism. This chapter gives a short summary of the mathematical developments in Hamilton-Jacobi formalism during the period 1828-1888 and compares them with those of Hertz. The views of Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss and Hamilton on geodesics, optics, and dynamics are discussed, along with those of Joseph Liouville and Lipschitz on the principle of least action, and trajectories as geodesics.
Carlo Giunti and Chung W. Kim
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780198508717
- eISBN:
- 9780191708862
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198508717.003.0016
- Subject:
- Physics, Particle Physics / Astrophysics / Cosmology
This chapter introduces the standard cosmological model and explains basic general relativity, Robertson–Walker metric (geodesic motion, redshift, Hubble's law, angular diameter-redshift relation, ...
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This chapter introduces the standard cosmological model and explains basic general relativity, Robertson–Walker metric (geodesic motion, redshift, Hubble's law, angular diameter-redshift relation, and particle horizon), dynamics of expansion, matter-dominated Universe, radiation-dominated Universe, curvature-dominated Universe, vacuum-dominated Universe, thermodynamics of the early Universe, entropy, decoupling, and cosmic microwave background radiation.Less
This chapter introduces the standard cosmological model and explains basic general relativity, Robertson–Walker metric (geodesic motion, redshift, Hubble's law, angular diameter-redshift relation, and particle horizon), dynamics of expansion, matter-dominated Universe, radiation-dominated Universe, curvature-dominated Universe, vacuum-dominated Universe, thermodynamics of the early Universe, entropy, decoupling, and cosmic microwave background radiation.
Valeri P. Frolov and Andrei Zelnikov
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199692293
- eISBN:
- 9780191731860
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199692293.003.0004
- Subject:
- Physics, Particle Physics / Astrophysics / Cosmology
Particle motion in a curved spacetime is considered. The Lagrangian and Hamiltonian form of the equation of motion of a relativistic particle are described. We discuss here also the Hamilton‐Jacobi ...
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Particle motion in a curved spacetime is considered. The Lagrangian and Hamiltonian form of the equation of motion of a relativistic particle are described. We discuss here also the Hamilton‐Jacobi equation, kinetic theory in a curved spacetime, and the Liouville theory of complete integrability.Less
Particle motion in a curved spacetime is considered. The Lagrangian and Hamiltonian form of the equation of motion of a relativistic particle are described. We discuss here also the Hamilton‐Jacobi equation, kinetic theory in a curved spacetime, and the Liouville theory of complete integrability.
S. G. Rajeev
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- October 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780198805021
- eISBN:
- 9780191843136
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198805021.001.0001
- Subject:
- Physics, Soft Matter / Biological Physics, Condensed Matter Physics / Materials
Starting with a review of vector fields and their integral curves, the book presents the basic equations of the subject: Euler and Navier–Stokes. Some solutions are studied next: ideal flows using ...
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Starting with a review of vector fields and their integral curves, the book presents the basic equations of the subject: Euler and Navier–Stokes. Some solutions are studied next: ideal flows using conformal transformations, viscous flows such as Couette and Stokes flow around a sphere, shocks in the Burgers equation. Prandtl’s boundary layer theory and the Blasius solution are presented. Rayleigh–Taylor instability is studied in analogy with the inverted pendulum, with a digression on Kapitza’s stabilization. The possibility of transients in a linearly stable system with a non-normal operator is studied using an example by Trefethen et al. The integrable models (KdV, Hasimoto’s vortex soliton) and their hamiltonian formalism are studied. Delving into deeper mathematics, geodesics on Lie groups are studied: first using the Lie algebra and then using Milnor’s approach to the curvature of the Lie group. Arnold’s deep idea that Euler’s equations are the geodesic equations on the diffeomorphism group is then explained and its curvature calculated. The next three chapters are an introduction to numerical methods: spectral methods based on Chebychev functions for ODEs, their application by Orszag to solve the Orr–Sommerfeld equation, finite difference methods for elementary PDEs, the Magnus formula and its application to geometric integrators for ODEs. Two appendices give an introduction to dynamical systems: Arnold’s cat map, homoclinic points, Smale’s horse shoe, Hausdorff dimension of the invariant set, Aref ’s example of chaotic advection. The last appendix introduces renormalization: Ising model on a Cayley tree and Feigenbaum’s theory of period doubling.Less
Starting with a review of vector fields and their integral curves, the book presents the basic equations of the subject: Euler and Navier–Stokes. Some solutions are studied next: ideal flows using conformal transformations, viscous flows such as Couette and Stokes flow around a sphere, shocks in the Burgers equation. Prandtl’s boundary layer theory and the Blasius solution are presented. Rayleigh–Taylor instability is studied in analogy with the inverted pendulum, with a digression on Kapitza’s stabilization. The possibility of transients in a linearly stable system with a non-normal operator is studied using an example by Trefethen et al. The integrable models (KdV, Hasimoto’s vortex soliton) and their hamiltonian formalism are studied. Delving into deeper mathematics, geodesics on Lie groups are studied: first using the Lie algebra and then using Milnor’s approach to the curvature of the Lie group. Arnold’s deep idea that Euler’s equations are the geodesic equations on the diffeomorphism group is then explained and its curvature calculated. The next three chapters are an introduction to numerical methods: spectral methods based on Chebychev functions for ODEs, their application by Orszag to solve the Orr–Sommerfeld equation, finite difference methods for elementary PDEs, the Magnus formula and its application to geometric integrators for ODEs. Two appendices give an introduction to dynamical systems: Arnold’s cat map, homoclinic points, Smale’s horse shoe, Hausdorff dimension of the invariant set, Aref ’s example of chaotic advection. The last appendix introduces renormalization: Ising model on a Cayley tree and Feigenbaum’s theory of period doubling.
