Multidimensional toroidal compactification with random Gaussian modulus: Derivation and potential applications of a stochastic general relativity (Q5947438)

The authors derive a stochastic general relativity via compactification of \((n+v)\)-dimensional Kaluza-Klein gravity, or effective superstring theory, on an internal space (a \(v\)-torus \(T^v = S^1\otimes S\otimes \dots\otimes S^1\)) whose volume is parametrized by a random Gaussian modulus (scalar) field. The dimensional reduction, \(M_{n + v}\to M_n\otimes T^v\), leads to stochastic vacuum Einstein equations on \(M_n\), with a source term arising from random fluctuations or `turbulence' in geometry on the order of the compactification scale. The source plays the role of a stochastic cosmological constant and the new Einstein vacuum equations still obey the Bianchi identities. The methodology attempts to extend the smooth manifold paradigm of general relativity -- in lieu of any existing theory of quantum gravity -- to accommodate short distance stochastic structure near the Planck scale. An equivalent description, and interpretation, is possible in terms of random conformal metric fluctuations in \(n\) dimensions: given the usual vacuum Einstein equations for \((M_g, g)\), there exist conformal metric fluctuations \(\Omega^2g\), such that the stochastic vacuum equations -- derived previously via the dimensional reduction -- are reproduced on \((M, \Omega^2g)\). The stochastic field equations are tentatively applied to a number of issues and scenarios of prime importance and interest within global general relativity. These include geodesic focusing and completeness; energy conditions, singularities and global structure; and cosmology and gravitational collapse. It is found that the pathologies of general relativity -- primarily curvature singularities -- might be removed within this stochastic extension of general relativity.