Original derivation of Papapetrou equations

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the original derivation of the Papapetrou equations, which describe the equations of motion for pole-dipole particles in curved space-times. Participants explore specific steps in Papapetrou's work, particularly focusing on the interpretation of equations and the conditions under which certain terms vanish or hold true.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion regarding the absence of the term ##\Gamma^{\beta}_{\beta \gamma}T^{\alpha\gamma}## in the dynamical equation ##\nabla_{\beta}T^{\alpha\beta} = 0## as presented by Papapetrou, questioning why it vanishes in the context of the derivation.
  • Another participant clarifies that ##\mathfrak{T}^{\alpha\beta}## refers to the tensor density ##\mathfrak{T}^{\alpha\beta} = \sqrt{-g}T^{\alpha\beta}##, not the energy-momentum tensor itself, which addresses some confusion about notation.
  • Concerns are raised about the validity of inserting the power series for connection coefficients into integrals that may extend outside the particle's worldtube, questioning the assumptions regarding compact support of ##T^{\alpha\beta}## on the integration domain.
  • Participants discuss the assumptions regarding the size of the integration volume ##V##, particularly whether it is small enough for the series expansion of ##\Gamma^{\alpha}_{\beta\gamma}## to be valid while ensuring that ##T^{\alpha\beta} = 0## on the boundary of ##V##.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the interpretation of certain terms and conditions in Papapetrou's derivation. Multiple viewpoints and uncertainties about the mathematical details remain evident throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations regarding the assumptions made in the derivation, particularly concerning the compact support of the energy-momentum tensor and the conditions under which certain terms can be omitted or included in the equations.

WannabeNewton
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Hi all. As you may be aware, there are a handful of modern derivations of the Papapetrou equations i.e. the equations of motion for a pole-dipole particle in curved space-times. These are usually along the lines of a Hamiltonian or Lagrangian derivation (c.f. Racine et al 2009 and Anandan et al 2003) and of course one has the famous yet extremely dense series of papers on EOM and covariant multipole moments for extended bodies in curved space-times by Dixon.

However I wanted to see the original derivation by Papapetrou, as it would be more suited to my needs. There are however a few steps in the paper that I cannot follow. The paper is here: http://rspa.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/209/1097/248 but I don't know how many of you will be able to access it so let me just attach an image of the single page relevant to my preliminary questions.

Equation (2.2) is itself perplexing to me. I've stared at it for hours and I can't see how he gets it so I must be missing something very simple. When he refers to the "dynamical equation" he is talking about ##\nabla_{\beta}T^{\alpha\beta} = 0## (he uses ##\mathfrak{T}^{\alpha\beta}## for ##T^{\alpha\beta}## and note the time-like component is the 4th as opposed to zeroth component in his calculations). But this is equal to ##\partial_{\beta}T^{\alpha\beta} + \Gamma^{\alpha}_{\mu\nu}T^{\mu\nu} + \Gamma^{\beta}_{\beta \gamma}T^{\alpha\gamma} = 0##. He doesn't have the ##\Gamma^{\beta}_{\beta \gamma}T^{\alpha\gamma}## term and certainly it doesn't vanish in general so why does it vanish for the derivation of the single-pole and pole-dipole equations of motion?

My next concern is regarding the power series (2.6) for the connection coefficients inside the particle worldtube. The integrals (2.4) and (2.5) that (2.6) is inserted into is, according to Papapetrou, over "the three dimensional space ##t = \text{const.}##". Does this refer to an entire space-like hypersurface of space-time or just the intersection of the space-like hypersurface with the worldtube of the particle? If it is the former then I don't see how it is valid to insert (2.6) into the integrals given that the power series is only valid inside the worldtube whereas the integrals extend outside of it. If it is the latter then inserting (2.6) into the integrals would be valid but the equalities (2.4) and (2.5) themselves would not be valid for, considering for example (2.4), the equality only holds through the divergence theorem if ##T^{\alpha\beta}## has compact support on the integration domain which won't be true if the domain is the intersection of the space-like hypersurface with the particle worldtube: \frac{d}{dt}\int_{\Sigma} T^{\alpha 0}d^3 x = \int_{\Sigma} \partial_0 T^{\alpha 0}d^3 x = -\int \partial_i T^{\alpha i}d^3 x - \int_{\Sigma} \Gamma^{\alpha}_{\mu\nu}T^{\mu\nu}d^3 x = -\int_{\partial \Sigma} T^{\alpha i}n_i d^2 x - \int_{\Sigma} \Gamma^{\alpha}_{\mu\nu}T^{\mu\nu}d^3 x and ##\int_{\Sigma} T^{\alpha i}n_i d^2 x = 0## only if ##T^{\alpha\beta}## has compact support on ##\Sigma##.
 

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Ah that's perfect Sam, thank you! It looks like my issue was in interpreting the notation in Papapetrou's paper.

So just to clarify, ##\mathfrak{T}^{\alpha\beta}## is the tensor density ##\mathfrak{T}^{\alpha\beta} = \sqrt{-g}T^{\alpha\beta}## and not the energy-momentum tensor itself, yes?

And is the "small" 3-voulme ##V## of integration assumed to be small enough so that the series expansion for ##\Gamma^{\alpha}_{\beta\gamma}## about the central worldline ##X^{\alpha}## is valid inside the integral but large enough so that ##T^{\alpha\beta} = 0## on ##\partial V## so as to have compact support on ##V## for the divergence theorem?

I'll let you know if I have any more questions about the pole-dipole calculation in the Papapetrou paper, thanks.
 
WannabeNewton said:
Ah that's perfect Sam, thank you! It looks like my issue was in interpreting the notation in Papapetrou's paper.

So just to clarify, ##\mathfrak{T}^{\alpha\beta}## is the tensor density ##\mathfrak{T}^{\alpha\beta} = \sqrt{-g}T^{\alpha\beta}## and not the energy-momentum tensor itself, yes?

Yes, this is why you don't see a term with \Gamma^{a}_{ab} in it.

And is the "small" 3-voulme ##V## of integration assumed to be small enough so that the series expansion for ##\Gamma^{\alpha}_{\beta\gamma}## about the central worldline ##X^{\alpha}## is valid inside the integral but large enough so that ##T^{\alpha\beta} = 0## on ##\partial V## so as to have compact support on ##V## for the divergence theorem?
Yes, see the paragraph after equation (3).

Good Luck

Sam
 

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