The taming of closed time-like curves

Quantum field theory on curved space or space-time backgrounds (81T20) String and superstring theories; other extended objects (e.g., branes) in quantum field theory (81T30) String and superstring theories in gravitational theory (83E30)

Abstract: We consider a

R^{1, d} / Z_{2}

orbifold, where

Z_{2}

acts by time and space reversal, also known as the embedding space of the elliptic de Sitter space. The background has two potentially dangerous problems: time-nonorientability and the existence of closed time-like curves. We first show that closed causal curves disappear after a proper definition of the time function. We then consider the one-loop vacuum expectation value of the stress tensor. A naive QFT analysis yields a divergent result. We then analyze the stress tensor in bosonic string theory, and find the same result as if the target space would be just the Minkowski space

R^{1, d}

, suggesting a zero result for the superstring. This leads us to propose a proper reformulation of QFT, and recalculate the stress tensor. We find almost the same result as in Minkowski space, except for a potential divergence at the initial time slice of the orbifold, analogous to a spacelike Big Bang singularity. Finally, we argue that it is possible to define local S-matrices, even if the spacetime is globally time-nonorientable.

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