Difference Between Natario & Alcubierre Warp Drives

In summary, there are two solutions to Einstein's equations that allow for warp drive - the Alcubierre warp drive and the Natario warp drive. Both of these are speculative science and require exotic matter, which is yet to be proven to exist. However, Natario's research shows that any warp drive spacetime will have negative energy density, making both options unsuitable for real-life application.
  • #1
JonnyMaddox
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There are two solutions to Einstein's equations that allow for warp drive. One is the Alcubierre warp drive and the other is the Natario warp drive.

What is the difference? Is the Natario warp drive better suited for a real life application than the Alcubierre warp drive? Here is a paper in which something of this is explained I think. Sadly I know too little about this to understand it. Maybe someone who understands this can write an answer to my questions :)

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00844801/document
(btw, they agree with White)
 
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  • #2
Looks like you posted this on another site too:

http://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/147447/natario-warp-drive

Warp drives are speculative science right now as they depend on exotic matter to warp spacetime which is something we don't even know exists.
 
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  • #3
They are all
JonnyMaddox said:
Is the Natario warp drive better suited for a real life application than the Alcubierre warp drive?
Here is a better reference for the Natario spacetime:
http://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0110086

It is essentially just a generalization of the Alcubierre spacetime. Natario proves that any warp drive spacetime will have negative energy density, so that means that none of them are suited for real-life application at present or in the forseeable future.
 

1. What is the difference between Natario and Alcubierre Warp Drives?

Natario and Alcubierre Warp Drives are both theoretical concepts for faster-than-light (FTL) travel, but they operate on different principles. Natario Warp Drives use negative energy to bend space-time and create a warp bubble, while Alcubierre Warp Drives use a similar concept but with positive energy. This results in different limitations and potential risks for each type of drive.

2. Which type of warp drive is more feasible?

Currently, neither Natario nor Alcubierre Warp Drives are considered feasible based on our current understanding of physics. However, some experts argue that the Natario Warp Drive may be more likely to be realized in the future due to its use of negative energy, which is theoretically possible according to certain interpretations of quantum field theory.

3. Can either Natario or Alcubierre Warp Drives be used for time travel?

No, neither type of warp drive allows for time travel. While they may allow for faster-than-light travel, the concept of time travel is still highly debated and not currently possible with our current understanding of physics.

4. What are the potential dangers of using a warp drive?

The potential dangers of using a warp drive are largely theoretical and depend on the specific type of drive being used. With Natario Warp Drives, there is a risk of creating a vacuum catastrophe, where the negative energy used to create the warp bubble could collapse and cause a catastrophic release of energy. With Alcubierre Warp Drives, there is a risk of accumulating high levels of radiation and particles in front of the warp bubble, which could be dangerous for the spacecraft and its occupants.

5. Are there any current research or experiments being done on warp drives?

While there is ongoing research on theories and concepts related to warp drives, there are currently no known experiments being conducted on actual warp drives. The technology is still in its early stages and remains largely theoretical. However, with advances in technology and a better understanding of the laws of physics, it is possible that we may see progress in this area in the future.

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