Phase space for GR (1 Viewer)

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

shoehorn

In the 3+1 formulation of GR we have the following basic variables:

$$g_{ij} = \textrm{metric on a spatial surface}$$
$$\pi^{ij} = \textrm{momentum conjugate to }g_{ij}$$
$$N^i = \textrm{shift vector}$$
$$N = \textrm{lapse function}$$

Both $N$ and $$N^i[/itex] are purely gauge variables, so are essentially unimportant. This means that the phase space for GR is essentially the space of pairs $(g_{ij},\pi^{ij})$ over a given spatial manifold $\Sigma$. (I know this isn't really the phase space since GR has constraints, but that's irrelevant for my current question.) The point is that, in most treatments of which I am aware, the spatial manifold $\Sigma$ is taken to be closed, i.e., compact and without boundary. However, if we extend these ideas by setting $\partial\Sigma\ne0$ then we know that the action for GR also requires a boundary term. Does this then imply that the phase space for GR should be extended to the set [tex]\{g_{ij},\pi^{ij},\gamma_{AB},p^{AB}\}$$

where $\gamma^{AB}$ is a two-dimensional metric on $\partial\Sigma$ and $p^{AB}$ is its conjugate momentum?

The Physics Forums Way

We Value Quality
• Topics based on mainstream science
• Proper English grammar and spelling
We Value Civility
• Positive and compassionate attitudes
• Patience while debating
We Value Productivity
• Disciplined to remain on-topic
• Recognition of own weaknesses
• Solo and co-op problem solving