Recent content by wam_mi

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    Graduate Einstein's Field Equation: 4D Spacetime & Cosmological Constant

    The existence of the cosmological constant in the field equations is by itself inconsistant with the metric being flat because the condition g_{\mu\nu}\rightarrow \eta_{\mu\nu} so that T_{\mu\nu}\rightarrow 0 will no longer hold. This can also be understood from the property of the...
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    Graduate Conformal Spacetime: Paths of Photons & Massive Particles

    Dear all, In flat conformal space-time, e.g. \quad g_{\alpha \beta} = e^{4\kappa} \eta_{\alpha \beta} where \kappa is some function of space-time coordinates. What sort of paths do photons and massive particles follow? Could anyone describe their paths with some analagy or a...
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    Graduate Einstein's Field Equation: 4D Spacetime & Cosmological Constant

    I read the following on wiki "The Einstein's field equation is a tensor equation relating a set of symmetric 4 x 4 tensors. It is written here using the abstract index notation. Each tensor has 10 independent components. Given the freedom of choice of the four spacetime coordinates, the...
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    Timelike Geodesic and Christoffel Symbols

    Homework Statement How do I show the following metric have time-like geodesics, if \theta and R are constants ds^{2} = R^{2} (-dt^{2} + (cosh(t))^{2} d\theta^{2}) Homework Equations v^{a}v_{a} = -1 for time-like geodesic, where v^{a} is the tangent vector along the curve The Attempt at a...
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    Graduate Correlation functions vs. Scattering Amplitude

    Hi there, I am learning the basics of QFT at the moment. Could someone explain to me, in the case for any number of scalar fields, the difference between correlation functions and scattering amplitudes please? Correlation functions <0|T(\phi_{1}...\phi{n})|0> Does one always write the...
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    Show that Geodesic is space-like everywhere

    I think I got it. Is it correct to say if one puts the inner product into the parallel transport expression, one finds that the expression vanishes as parallel transport preserves the inner product such that the character of the geodesic never changes. Thanks
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    Show that Geodesic is space-like everywhere

    Homework Statement If the geodesic is space-like somewhere, show that the geodesic is space-like everywhere. Homework Equations Geodesic equation: \ddot{X}^{\mu}+\Gamma^{\mu}_{\alpha \beta}\dot{X}^{\alpha}\dot{X}^{\beta} = 0 The Attempt at a Solution I looked at the metric...
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    Proving No Length Contraction in Lorentz Transformation

    Homework Statement Hello, Consider a rod of proper length l_{0}. Prove/Show that there is no length contraction if an observer moves perpendicular to the direction of the rod. Homework Equations l = l_{0}/\gamma where \gamma is the usual relativistic vector The Attempt at a...
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    Graduate The limit (R -> 0) of type IIA superstrings is equivalent

    The limit (R --> 0) of type IIA superstrings is equivalent Hi there, The limit (R --> 0) of type IIA superstrings is equivalent to the limit (R --> infty) of type IIB theory. Could someone explain how this works? Thanks
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    Graduate Virasoro Algebra: Unravelling Its Role in String Theory

    Hi there, It is said that the Virasoro algebra/constraint is the most important algebra is string theory. (i) Why is that? (ii) How is it related to the world-sheet conformal symmetry? (iii) How do I see that the Virasoro constraints are the vanishing of the stress tensor, which can...
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    Graduate What Are the Mysteries of T-Duality and Wilson Lines in String Theory?

    Dear all, I have recently read the effects of T-duality of both closed and open strings (Zwiebach 2009, Johnson 2003) and found it very interesting indeed. However, I found it difficult to understand the concept of Wilson lines. Could someone please explain me the idea and concept of Wilson...
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    Graduate Understanding Moduli Spaces: O(d, d,R) & Beyond

    Hi there, Could someone explain to me what a moduli space is. (i) What does the generating group O(d, d,R) mean? (ii) Why is it then the modular space is written as O(d,d,R)/O(d,R)×O(d,R) What role does the division play here? Thanks a lot!
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    Graduate What Are the Key Differences Between Space-time Supersymmetry and Supergravity?

    Hi there, Where can I find some review articles about space-time supersymmetry? Cheers!
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    Graduate What Are the Key Differences Between Space-time Supersymmetry and Supergravity?

    Hi there, What is the difference between Space-time Supersymmetry and Supersymmetry? Is Space-time Supersymmetry the same thing as Supergravity? What is Supergravity... All these terms make me very confused... Thanks a lot!
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    Graduate Understanding the Difference Between Original and Instantaneous Rest Frame

    Hi there, Could anyone explain to me what is the different between the two terms (i) Original rest frame (ii) Instantaneous rest frame When do we prefer to work in the original rest frame but not the instantaneous one and why? And when do we prefer to work in the instantaneous rest...