Geons in Geometrodynamics: J.A. Wheeler & Stability Questions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the stability of geons as proposed by J.A. Wheeler in the context of classical general relativity (GR) and the potential for their existence in alternative geometrical frameworks that incorporate torsion. Participants express interest in the current understanding and research surrounding these concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether there is a consensus on the stability of geons in classical GR, specifically when torsion is absent.
  • Another participant inquires about the investigation of geons in spacetimes with connections other than the Levi-Civita connection, such as the Weitzenböck connection, and whether this could lead to stability.
  • A participant references Wikipedia, noting that it suggests a connection between geons and loop quantum gravity (LQG), but emphasizes interest in the original geon model.
  • One participant recommends checking the Physics Arxiv for relevant papers on the subject, providing a specific link to a paper they found.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the stability of geons in classical GR, indicating that there is no clear consensus. The discussion also reflects differing interests in the original geon model versus newer theoretical frameworks.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the lack of updated consensus on the stability of geons and the potential implications of different geometric connections, suggesting limitations in current understanding and research on the topic.

Markus Hanke
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J.A. Wheeler has in the 1950s investigated topological constructs called geons, which are essentially gravitational wave packets held together by their own field energy. I have two questions with regards to this :

1. Is there a consensus yet on whether geons in classical GR ( torsion vanishes everywhere ) are stable or not ?
2. Does anyone know whether it has been investigated whether such geons could exist in a space-time endowed with a connection other than the Levi-Civita connection of GR, e.g. with a Weizenboeck connection, or some other connection "mixing" curvature and torsion ? Is there a possibility they could be stable, then ?

I'd just like to know as a matter of personal interest.

Thank you in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Wikipedia on geons:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geon_(physics )

mentions that the LQG people may have an object similar to a geon in their theory.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
True, but I was specifically interested in the "original" geon model. The Wikipedia article says that it is still not clear whether they are stable in GR space-time, so I was wondering what the current consensus on this is. This is probably not one of those articles which gets updated regularly.
 

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