Linking covariant and canonical general relativity via local observers

DOI10.1007/S10714-012-1443-3zbMATH Open1254.83008arXiv1206.0658OpenAlexW2145043626WikidataQ64007685 ScholiaQ64007685MaRDI QIDQ694644FDOQ694644

Authors: Steffen Gielen, Derek K. Wise 

Publication date: 13 December 2012

Published in: General Relativity and Gravitation (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Hamiltonian gravity, relying on arbitrary choices of "space," can obscure spacetime symmetries. We present an alternative, manifestly spacetime covariant formulation that nonetheless distinguishes between "spatial" and "temporal" variables. The key is viewing dynamical fields from the perspective of a field of observers -- a unit timelike vector field that also transforms under local Lorentz transformations. On one hand, all fields are spacetime fields, covariant under spacetime symmeties. On the other, when the observer field is normal to a spatial foliation, the fields automatically fall into Hamiltonian form, recovering the Ashtekar formulation. We argue this provides a bridge between Ashtekar variables and covariant phase space methods. We also outline a framework where the 'space of observers' is fundamental, and spacetime geometry itself may be observer-dependent.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1206.0658

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zbMATH Keywords

covariant real Ashtekar variablesLorentz covarianceLorentz symmetry breakingobserver spacerelative locality

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Equations of motion in general relativity and gravitational theory (83C10) Einstein's equations (general structure, canonical formalism, Cauchy problems) (83C05) Gravitational energy and conservation laws; groups of motions (83C40) Quantization of the gravitational field (83C45)

Cites Work

• On smooth Cauchy hypersurfaces and Geroch's splitting theorem
• Domain of Dependence
• Republication of: The dynamics of general relativity
• Einstein gravity as a 3D conformally invariant theory
• Covariant description of canonical formalism in geometrical theories
• Shape dynamics. An introduction
• Relative locality: a deepening of the relativity principle
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• Lifting general relativity to observer space

Cited In (3)

• The observer's ghost: notes on a field space connection
• Lifting general relativity to observer space
• A note on the foundation of relativistic mechanics: covariant Hamiltonian general relativity

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