Calculating Ricci tensor in AdS space

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the Ricci tensor in Anti-de Sitter (AdS) space, specifically for a 3-dimensional case. Participants explore the implications of the metric, the Christoffel symbols, and the Riemann tensor components, while addressing potential misunderstandings and seeking clarification on symmetry properties.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the AdS metric and the derived Christoffel symbols, seeking assistance in calculating the Riemann tensor and subsequently the Ricci tensor.
  • Another participant questions the signature of the Minkowski metric, which is confirmed to be ##\eta_{\mu\mu} = (-1,1,1)##.
  • A participant describes using the maxima software to compute Riemann tensor components, noting that they found 12 non-zero components, all of which are ##\pm 1/z^2##.
  • Concerns are raised about the contributions to the Riemann tensor when a ##z## index is present, with a participant expressing confusion over why certain components should be zero based on symmetry.
  • Symmetry properties of the Riemann tensor are discussed, including the antisymmetry and the implications of having repeated indices.
  • Participants share links to potentially useful resources related to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of symmetry in the Riemann tensor calculations, and there is no consensus on the resolution of the confusion regarding the contributions of indices. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge potential mistakes in their calculations and reasoning, particularly regarding the contributions of the ##L^{2}## terms and the treatment of indices in the Riemann tensor. The discussion highlights the complexity of tensor calculations in curved spacetime.

HamOnRye
Consider the AdS metric in D+1 dimensions
ds^{2}=\frac{L^{2}}{z^{2}}\left(dz^{2}+\eta_{\mu\nu}dx^{\mu}dx^{\nu}\right)
I wanted to calculate the Ricci tensor for this metric for D=3. (\eta_{\mu\nu} is the Minkowski metric in D dimensions)
I have found the following Christoffel symbols
\Gamma^{t}_{tz}=\frac{L^{2}}{z^{3}}, \Gamma^{x}_{xz}=\Gamma^{y}_{yz}=\Gamma^{z}_{zz}=-\frac{L^{2}}{z^{3}}
From this point I wanted to determine the Riemann tensor in order to finally determine the Ricci tensor.
What I've got the following contributing Riemann tensors
R^{x}_{zxz}, R^{y}_{zyz}, R^{t}_{ztz}
I also noticed that if I have a z-coordinate in the upper index for the Riemann tensor it will be zero no matter what I choose for the lower indices.
My problem is as follows, based on symmetry, the above Riemann tensors should also be zero but I can't see how. Did I make a mistake with my Christoffel symbols or anywhere else?
Any help is appreciated!

Tim
 
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Is ##\eta_{\mu\mu} = (1,-1,-1)## or ##\eta_{\mu\mu} = (-1,1,1)##? I would think this would matter.
 
The signature is given by ##\eta_{\mu\mu} = (-1,1,1)##
Thanks for responding!
 
Okay, that makes sense. I'm just going to plug and grind with maxima. So if I write things out the metric is,

##\left(\begin{array}[cccc] --f(z) & 0 & 0 & 0 \cr
0 & f(z) & 0 & 0 \cr
0 & 0 & f(z) & 0 \cr
0 & 0 & 0 & f(z) \end{array}\right)##

where ##f(z) = L^2/z^2##. Using the ctensor package in maxima I get 12 non-zero Riemann tensor component all ##\pm 1/z^2##. The constant ##L## seems to drop out.
 
Paul Colby said:
Okay, that makes sense. I'm just going to plug and grind with maxima. So if I write things out the metric is,

##\left(\begin{array}[cccc] --f(z) & 0 & 0 & 0 \cr
0 & f(z) & 0 & 0 \cr
0 & 0 & f(z) & 0 \cr
0 & 0 & 0 & f(z) \end{array}\right)##

where ##f(z) = L^2/z^2##. Using the ctensor package in maxima I get 12 non-zero Riemann tensor component all ##\pm 1/z^2##. The constant ##L## seems to drop out.

Thanks! I made some mistakes with the ##L^{2}## terms.
But I think my main problem, or misunderstanding, still remains.
For the Riemann tensor, if we have a ##z## in the upper index there will be no contribution. But the Riemann tensor I found have a ##z## in the lower indices. But via symmetry we can place this lower index in the upper index, so any contribution with a ##z## in the lower index should also be zero.
I would like to thank you for the help so far and I hope you, or some one else, can point out the flaw in my reasoning/

Tim
 
The symmetries I'm aware of are

##R_{\alpha\beta\mu\nu} = -R_{\beta\alpha\mu\nu} = R_{\mu\nu\alpha\beta}##​

plus whatever you can get by applying these permutations. So, ##R_{\alpha\alpha\mu\nu} = 0## and so on.
 
Paul Colby said:
The symmetries I'm aware of are

##R_{\alpha\beta\mu\nu} = -R_{\beta\alpha\mu\nu} = R_{\mu\nu\alpha\beta}##​

plus whatever you can get by applying these permutations. So, ##R_{\alpha\alpha\mu\nu} = 0## and so on.
I'll check the permutations. Thank you for the quick response and the patientce.

Tim
 

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