Kinks in general relativity.
Date
1991
Authors
Harriott, Tina A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Dalhousie University
Abstract
Description
This thesis is a study of kinks in general relativity. The kink spacetimes are topologically non-trivial and possess other interesting features such as tumbling light cones and a non-zero conserved quantity, now called the kink number.
Skyrme first noted the existence of kinks in certain non-linear scalar field theories. Finkelstein and Misner were the first to recognize the existence of similar structures in general relativity. This thesis begins with a review of past work on kinks.
The general form of a kink metric is discussed and a formula to calculate the kink number of any metric is derived.
Several exact kink solutions of the Einstein field equations are found. The relationship of these solutions to well known (zero kink) metrics, such as the de Sitter and Friedmann-LeMaitre-Robertson-Walker metrics is discussed. Possible interpretations of the kink solutions are suggested. Analogous solutions in a (1 + 1)-dimensional theory of gravity are also presented. Finally, work in progress and areas for future work are mentioned.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Dalhousie University (Canada), 1991.
Skyrme first noted the existence of kinks in certain non-linear scalar field theories. Finkelstein and Misner were the first to recognize the existence of similar structures in general relativity. This thesis begins with a review of past work on kinks.
The general form of a kink metric is discussed and a formula to calculate the kink number of any metric is derived.
Several exact kink solutions of the Einstein field equations are found. The relationship of these solutions to well known (zero kink) metrics, such as the de Sitter and Friedmann-LeMaitre-Robertson-Walker metrics is discussed. Possible interpretations of the kink solutions are suggested. Analogous solutions in a (1 + 1)-dimensional theory of gravity are also presented. Finally, work in progress and areas for future work are mentioned.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Dalhousie University (Canada), 1991.
Keywords
Physics, General.