How to be causal: time, spacetime and spectra

DOI10.1088/0143-0807/32/6/022zbMATH Open1262.83009arXiv1106.1792OpenAlexW2029573219WikidataQ56068977 ScholiaQ56068977MaRDI QIDQ4909474FDOQ4909474

Authors: Paul Kinsler 

Publication date: 21 March 2013

Published in: European Journal of Physics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: I explain a simple definition of causality in widespread use, and indicate how it links to the Kramers Kronig relations. The specification of causality in terms of temporal differential eqations then shows us the way to write down dynamical models so that their causal nature /in the sense used here/ should be obvious to all. To extend existing treatments of causality that work only in the frequency domain, I derive a reformulation of the long-standing Kramers Kronig relations applicable not only to just temporal causality, but also to spacetime "light-cone" causality based on signals carried by waves. I also apply this causal reasoning to Maxwell's equations, which is an instructive example since their casual properties are sometimes debated.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1106.1792

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zbMATH Keywords

Maxwell's equationscausalKramers-Kronig relations

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Philosophical and critical aspects of logic and foundations (03A05) Equations of motion in general relativity and gravitational theory (83C10) Special relativity (83A05) Einstein-Maxwell equations (83C22)

Cited In (4)

• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Orthogonal expansions and the causality law
• Generalization of Kramers-Krönig relations for evaluation of causality in power-law media
• On spacetime transformation optics: temporal and spatial dispersion

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