Recast of a conformal line element

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  • #1
silverwhale
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TL;DR Summary
In Birrell an dDavies QFT on CS a rewrite of a conformal line element is done. But this recasting seems to me not to be correct.
Hello PhysicsForums-Readers,

On page 59 of Birrells and Davies QFT on CS, the line element ##ds^2 = dt^2 - a(t)^2 dx^2##, where ##a(t)## is some conformal factor defined as ##a({\eta}) = dt/d{\eta}##.
Then in 3.83 the equation is rewritten to ##ds^2 = a(\eta)^2 (d^2 \eta - dx^2)##. IMHO this cannot be true.
But how can the author recast eqaution 3.81 (mentioned above) to this one? maybe because the map is a conformal map??

Can anyone enlighten me on this rewrite? Thank you!
Silverwhale
 
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  • #2
silverwhale said:
On page 59 of Birrells and Davies QFT on CS, the line element ##ds^2 = dt^2 - a(t)^2 dx^2##, where ##a(t)## is some conformal factor defined as ##a({\eta}) = dt/d{\eta}##.
No, ##\eta## is defined by this relation.
silverwhale said:
Then in 3.83 the equation is rewritten to ##ds^2 = a(\eta)^2 (d^2 \eta - dx^2)##. IMHO this cannot be true.
You just make a change of variables, instead of ##t## use ##\eta##. Substituting ##dt = a(\eta)d\eta## in the first equation, gives you this.
 
  • #3
martinbn said:
No, ##\eta## is defined by this relation.

You just make a change of variables, instead of ##t## use ##\eta##. Substituting ##dt = a(\eta)d\eta## in the first equation, gives you this.
Thank you martinbn for your answer.

In page 59, the definition is ##d \eta = dt/a##, that I do know; from which ##a(\eta) * d\eta = dt## follows (which I wrote), right?

Before I start explaining my problem (I hope this time better), We should not forget that the factor ##a(t)## depends on the variable ##t## as does ##dt^2##.

Now, If we change the variable ##t## by ##\eta## in the line element, then we should get: $$ds^2 = d\eta^2 - a^2(\eta) dx^2.$$
That is not 3.83..

Next, If we subsitute in 3.81 ##dt## by ## a(\eta) d\eta##, then $$ ds^2 = a^2(\eta) d\eta^2 - a^2(t) dx^2.$$ the problematic factor ##a^2(t)## still appears.

Last, if we take each term by itself in 3.81 and make a change of variables just in the second term, and substitute in the first, then yes we get 3.83, but that contradicts IMHO the definition 3.81 of the conformal line element ##ds^2## where ##a(t)## changes, when ##dt## changes in the coordinate axis..
Finally, saying ##a(t)## is the same as ##a(\eta)## does not make sense to me as ##a## should note the same map..
Silverwhale
 
  • #4
No, i am not saying replace the letter ##t## with the letter ##\eta##, that would be usleless. The relation ##d\eta=\frac{dt}a## gives you, if you integrate it, each of the ##t## and ##\eta## as a function of the other, say ##t=f(\eta)##. Then you make this change of variables. You keep the ##x## and you change ##t## to ##\eta## using ##t=f(\eta)##.
 
  • #5
Yes, I do get your point.
But then, I get ##a(f(\eta))## which ist not equivalent (as a function) to ## a(\eta)## That is my problem. Both are called ##a##, but they are two different functions..
 

FAQ: Recast of a conformal line element

What is a conformal line element?

A conformal line element is a differential element of length in a space where the metric is scaled by a factor that can vary from point to point. In other words, it represents a small segment of a curve in a geometry where angles are preserved but distances can be stretched or shrunk by a scaling factor known as the conformal factor.

Why is the recast of a conformal line element important?

The recast of a conformal line element is important because it allows for the simplification and better understanding of complex geometries. By transforming the line element into a more manageable form, researchers can more easily analyze and interpret the properties of the space, such as curvature and topology, and apply these insights to fields like general relativity, quantum field theory, and string theory.

How is a conformal transformation applied to a line element?

A conformal transformation is applied to a line element by multiplying the metric tensor by a conformal factor, which is a smooth, non-zero function. Mathematically, if the original line element is given by ds² = gij dxi dxj, the conformal line element is ds'² = Ω²(x) gij dxi dxj, where Ω(x) is the conformal factor that depends on the coordinates x.

What are some applications of conformal line elements in physics?

Conformal line elements have several applications in physics, particularly in areas where the geometry of space-time is crucial. In general relativity, they are used to study the properties of black holes and cosmological models. In quantum field theory, conformal invariance helps in understanding the behavior of fields at different scales. Additionally, in string theory, conformal transformations are essential for analyzing the worldsheet of strings.

What challenges arise when working with conformal line elements?

One of the main challenges when working with conformal line elements is determining the appropriate conformal factor for a given problem, as this factor can significantly complicate the equations involved. Additionally, ensuring that the conformal transformation preserves the desired physical and geometric properties can be non-trivial. Another challenge is interpreting the physical meaning of quantities in the transformed geometry, as the scaling can obscure or distort certain features.

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