Charles University in Prague
Question
Asked 26th Sep, 2019
Are there any known α'-exact string backgrounds with NO covariantly constant null Killing vector?
There is a plenty of examples of classical solutions to low-energy effective theories that were proved to have vanishing α'-corrections to all orders and hence be also perturbatively exact string solutions in the literature, see e.g.
Since in all the literature I'm familiar with, the proof of α'-exactness of leading-order solutions relied heavily on the fact that the corresponding spacetime metric admits a covariantly constant null Killing vector, I'm currious if this is always the case.
Is anyone aware of some paper which proves α'-exactness for leading-order solutions beyond those with spacetime backgrounds admitting a covariantly constant null Killing vector?
(I'm aware of the fact there are also different approaches in finding exact string solutions that do not relly on proving α'-exactness of leading-order solutions and hence may yield exact string backgrounds with no covariantly constant null Killing vectors but the present question is focused strictly on this approach.)
Most recent answer
Stam Nicolis So, your problem with my question lies in the terminology I used - correct? Specifically, is it the term "string solutions", by which I mean solutions of effective field equations for the background fields?
All Answers (6)
University of Tours
The question doesn't have anything to do with low-energy effective theories; since these aren't sensitive to the string tension at all.
It has to do-in part-with solutions to the σ-model, that describes the string theory.
Much of what's known about string vacua-that are solutions to the (classical) equations of motion of the σ-models, can be found here: https://ncatlab.org/nlab/show/landscape+of+string+theory+vacua
since the classification of solutions to the classical equations of motion amounts to the classification of conformal field theories.
and
where it is stressed that the σ-model, in fact, provides only part of the description.
It might be, perhaps, useful, to, first, understand what a null Killing vector, in this context, actually, is good for-then to see what happens when it can't be globally defined. This:
might be useful.
Charles University in Prague
Stam Nicolis Thank you for your comment as well as for the provided literature!
But, as I specified in the description, I'm really interested in classical solutions of low-energy effective theories (say, 10D heterotic sugra) for which:
1) all possible higher-order corrections to all EOM vanish;
2) the metric admits no covariantly constant null vector;
at the same time. I put the question in the context of string theory just because that's the context in which higher-order corrections to sugra are (naturally) most often discussed.
University of Tours
Supergravity is a theory of particles, not strings-there's no α' expansion in supergravity. It's a very special limit of string theory that's far from being fully understood. So the question doesn't make sense in supergravity-it only makes sense in the context that Tseytlin discusses.
Charles University in Prague
Stam Nicolis Sorry, but I don't understand the confusion - the problem of my interest can be essentialy restated as: given a solution of some (say, 2nd order) theory, one can ask a questions when such solution can simultaneously solve also EOM of higher-order theories (e.g. by having all the corresponding higher-order corrections to EOM vanishing).
There are already many well-known (and mainly string theory-motivated) results on this problem for the case of plane wave-type solutions of sugra with metrics admitting cov. const. null vector, such as
and I'm simply asking whether there are also some results beyond this class of solutions. Although physically motivated, it's just a purely mathematical question, for whose purpose the physics can be put aside now.
University of Tours
And the framework for addressing it is in Tseytlin's paper. The equations of motion for string theory are NOT higher order generalisations of the equations of motion of supergravity-that's WRONG.
Charles University in Prague
Stam Nicolis So, your problem with my question lies in the terminology I used - correct? Specifically, is it the term "string solutions", by which I mean solutions of effective field equations for the background fields?
Similar questions and discussions
【NO.37】Doubts about General Relativity (2) - Does the Energy Tensor Tµν in the Field Equations Contain the Energy-momentum of the Spacetime Field?
- Chian Fan
The external spacetime field produced by an object of mass M, the Schwarzschild spacetime metric solution, is usually obtained as follows [1]:
1) Assumes a spherically symmetric spacetime metric, and is static and time invariant;
2) Assumes a vacuum conditions outside, with Tµν = 0;
3) Solve the Einstein field equation, Rµν - (1/2)gµνR=Tµν...... (EQ.1)
4) Utilize the boundary condition: the Newtonian potential ф = -GM/r, which introduces the mass M. Obtain the result:
ds2 = -(1-2GM/r)dt2 + (1-2GM/r)-1dr2 + r2dΩ2...... (EQ.2)
Overall, the Schwarzschild metric employs a priori derivation steps. The solution is unique according to Birkhoff's theorem.
Einstein does not explain why M leads to ds2, our questions are:
a) The spacetime metric is containing the energy-momentum Tspacetime , which can only originate from Tµν and is conserved. Why then must spacetime receive, store, and transmit energy-momentum by curvature* ?
b) The implication of condition 2) is that the spacetime field energy-momentum is independent of M or can be regarded as such. Comparing this to the electric field of an electron is equivalent to the fact that the energy contained in the electron's electric field is independent of the electron itself. Since Tspacetime is also bound to M, is it not part of M?
c) For complex scenarios, in the Tµν of Einstein's field equation EQ.1, should one include the spacetime energy momentum at the location? With the above Schwarzschild solution, it seems that there is none, otherwise both sides of the equation (EQ.1) become a deadly circle. So, should there be or should there not be? Does the field equation have a provision or treatment that Tµν can only contain non-spacetime energy momentum?
-----------------------------
Notes
* “How the view of space-time is unified (3)-If GR's space-time is not curved, what should it be?” https://www.researchgate.net/post/NO17How_the_view_of_space-time_is_unified_3-If_GRs_space-time_is_not_curved_what_should_it_be
** "Doubts about General Relativity (1) - Is the Geometry Interpretation of Gravity a Paradox?" https://www.researchgate.net/post/NO36_Doubts_about_General_Relativity_1-Is_the_Geometry_Interpretation_of_Gravity_a_Paradox
-----------------------------
References
[1] Grøn, Ø., & Hervik, S. (2007). Einstein's Field Equations. In Einstein's General Theory of Relativity: With Modern Applications in Cosmology (pp. 179-194). Springer New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-69200-5_8
=============================
2024-04-26
Additional information*:
1) In his Karl Schwarzschild Memorial Lecture, Einstein summarized the many scientific contributions of his short life, stating [1], in commenting on Schwarzschild's solution, that “he was the first to succeed in accurately calculating the gravitational field of the new theory”.
(2) Einstein emphasized in his article “Foundations of General Relativity” [1], “We will make a distinction between 'gravitational field' and 'matter', and we will call everything outside the gravitational field matter. Thus the term 'matter' includes not only matter in the usual sense, but also electromagnetic fields.” ; “Gravitational fields and matter together must satisfy the law of conservation of energy (and momentum).”
(3) Einstein, in his article “Description based on the variational principle” [1], “In order to correspond to the fact of the free superposition of the independent existence of matter and gravitational fields in the field theory, we further set up (Hamilton): H=G+M
4) Einstein's choice of Riemannian spacetime as the basis for the fundamental spacetime of the universe, which I have repeatedly searched for in The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, still leads to the conclusion that he had no arguments, even if only descriptions. In his search for a geometrical description, he emphasized that “This problem was unsolved until 1912, when I hit upon the idea that the surface theory of Karl Friedrich Gauss might be the key to this mystery. I found that Gauss' surface coordinates were very meaningful for understanding this problem.”[2] And, although many physicists also do not understand what Space-Time Curvature is all about, everyone accepted this setup. This concept of `internal curvature', which cannot be mapped to physical reality, is at least a suitable choice from a modeling point of view.
5) Einstein's initial assumptions for the field equations were also very vague, as evidenced by his use of terms such as “nine times out of ten” and “it seems”. He was hoping to obtain the gravitational field equation by analogy with the Poisson equation. Thus, the second-order derivative of the spacetime metric is assumed on the left side of the equation, and the energy-momentum density is assumed on the right side.
-----------------------------------------
* The citations therein are translated from Chinese and may differ from the original text.
[1] University, P. (1997). The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein. Volume 6: The Berlin Years: Writings, 1914-1917. In. Chinese: 湖南科学技术出版社.
[2] Einstein, A. (1982). How I created the theory of relativity(1922). Physics Today, 35(8), 45-47.
【NO.39】Doubts about General Relativity (4) - Who should determine the spacetime metrics of matter itself?
- Chian Fan
General Relativity field equations [1]:
Gµν = G*Tµν...... (EQ.1).
It is a relation between the matter field (energy-momentum field) Tµν and the spacetime field Gµν, where the gravitational constant G is the conversion factor between the dimensions [2].Einstein constructed this relation without explaining why the spacetime field and the matter field are in such a way, but rather assumed that nine times out of ten, they would be in such a way. He also did not explain why the spacetime field Gµν is described by curvature and not by some other parameter. Obviously, we must find the exact physical relationship between them, i.e., why Tµν must correspond to Gµν, in order to ensure that the field equations are ultimately correct.
We know that matter cannot be a point particle, it must have a scale, and matter cannot be a solid particle, it must be some kind of field. The fact that matter has a scale means that it has to occupy space-time; the fact that matter is a field means that it is mixed with space-time, i.e., matter contains space-time. So, when applying Einstein's field equations, how is matter's own spacetime defined? Does it change its own spacetime? If its own energy-momentum and structure have already determined its own spacetime, should the way it determines its own spacetime be the same as the way it determines the external spacetime? If it is the same, does it mean that the spacetime field is actually a concomitant of the matter field?
If one were to consider a gravitational wave, one could think of it as a fluctuating spacetime field that propagates independently of the material source after it has been disconnected from it. They have decoupled from each other and no longer continue to conform to the field equations (EQ.1). Although gravitational waves are the product of a source, the loss of that source prevents us from finding another specific source for it to match it through the equation (EQ.1). Just as after an electron accelerates, the relationship between the radiated electromagnetic wave and the electron is no longer maintained. Does this indicate the independence of spacetime field energies?
-----------------------------
Related questions
♛ “Does the Energy Tensor Tµν in the Field Equations Contain the Energy-momentum of the Spacetime Field?”:https://www.researchgate.net/post/NO37Doubts_about_General_Relativity_2-Does_the_Energy_Tensor_Tmn_in_the_Field_Equations_Contain_the_Energy-momentum_of_the_Spacetime_Field
♛ “Is the Geometry Interpretation of Gravity a Paradox?”:https://www.researchgate.net/post/NO36_Doubts_about_General_Relativity_1-Is_the_Geometry_Interpretation_of_Gravity_a_Paradox
-----------------------------
References
[1] Grøn, Ø., & Hervik, S. (2007). Einstein's Field Equations. In Einstein's General Theory of Relativity: With Modern Applications in Cosmology (pp. 179-194). Springer New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-69200-5_8
[2] “The Relationship Between the Theory of Everything and the Constants of Nature”:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377566579_The_Relationship_Between_the_Theory_of_Everything_and_the_Constants_of_Nature_English_Version
【NO.30】The Relation Between Mathematics and Physics (6) - Are Planck Scales Constants, Parameters, or Principles?
- Chian Fan
Can Physical Constants Which Are Obtained with Combinations of Fundamental Physical Constants Have a More Fundamental Nature?
Planck Scales (Planck's 'units of measurement') are different combinations of the three physical constants h, c, G, Planck Scales=f(c,h,G):
Planck Time: tp=√ℏG/c^5=5.31x10^-44s ......(1)
Planck Length: Lp=√ℏG/c^3=1.62x10^-35m ......(2)
Planck Mass: Mp=√ℏc/G=2.18x10^-8 kg ......(3)
“These quantities will retain their natural meaning for as long as the laws of gravity, the propagation of light in vacuum and the two principles of the theory of heat hold, and, even if measured by different intelligences and using different methods, must always remain the same.”[1] And because of the possible relation between Mp and the radius of the Schwarzschild black hole, the possible generalized uncertainty principle [2], makes them a dependent basis for new physics [3]. But what exactly is their natural meaning?
However, the physical constants, the speed of light, c, the Planck constant, h, and the gravitational constant, G, are clear, fundamental, and invariant.
c: bounds the relationship between Space and Time, with c = ΔL/ Δt, and Lorentz invariance [4];
h: bounds the relationship between Energy and Momentum with h=E/ν = Pλ, and energy-momentum conservation [5][6];
G: bounds the relationship between Space-Time and Energy-Momentum, with the Einstein field equation c^4* Gμν = (8πG) * Tμν, and general covariance [7].
The physical constants c, h, G already determine all fundamental physical phenomena‡. So, can the Planck Scales obtained by combining them be even more fundamental than they are? Could it be that the essence of physics is (c, h, G) = f(tp, Lp, Mp)? rather than equations (1), (2), (3). From what physical fact, or what physical imagination, are we supposed to get this notion? Never seeing such an argument, we just take it and use it, and still recognize c,h,G fundamentality. Obviously, Planck Scales are not fundamental physical constants, they can only be regarded as a kind of 'units of measurement'.
So are they a kind of parameter? According to Eqs. (1)(2)(3), c,h,G can be directly replaced by c,h,G and the substitution expression loses its meaning.
So are they a principle? Then who are they expressing? What kind of behavioral pattern is expressed? The theory of quantum gravity takes this as a " baseline ", only in the order sense, not in the exact numerical value.
Thus, Planck time, length, mass, determined entirely by h, c, G, do they really have unquestionable physical significance?
-----------------------------------------
Notes
‡ Please ignore for the moment the phenomena within the nucleus of the atom, eventually we will understand that they are still determined by these three constants.
-----------------------------------------
References
[1] Robotti, N. and M. Badino (2001). "Max Planck and the 'Constants of Nature'." Annals of Science 58(2): 137-162.
[2] Maggiore, M. (1993). A generalized uncertainty principle in quantum gravity. Physics Letters B, 304(1), 65-69. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/0370-2693(93)91401-8
[3] Kiefer, C. (2006). Quantum gravity: general introduction and recent developments. Annalen der Physik, 518(1-2), 129-148.
[4] Einstein, A. (1905). On the electrodynamics of moving bodies. Annalen der Physik, 17(10), 891-921.
[5] Planck, M. (1900). The theory of heat radiation (1914 (Translation) ed., Vol. 144).
[6] Einstein, A. (1917). Physikalisehe Zeitschrift, xviii, p.121
[7] Petruzziello, L. (2020). A dissertation on General Covariance and its application in particle physics. Journal of Physics: Conference Series,
Related Publications
In this thesis, we examine in detail the notion of black hole entropy in Quantum Field Theories, with a specific focus on supersymmetric black holes and the perturbative and non-perturbative quantum corrections to the classical area-law of Bekenstein-Hawking. To examine such corrections, we employ the formalism of Sen's Quantum Entropy Function whe...
Indian scientist Amal Kumar Raychaudhuri established ‘Raychaudhuri equation’ in 1955 to describe gravitational focusing properties in cosmology. This equation is extensively used in general relativity, quantum field theory, string theory and the theory of relativistic membranes. This paper investigates the issue of the final fate of a gravitational...
In this paper the constructive and consistent formulation of quantum gravity as a quantum field theory for the case of higher dimensional ADM space-times, which is based on the author pre-vious works, is presented. The present model contains a certain new contribution which, however, do not change the general idea which leads to extraordinary simpl...