English

Non-linear conformally invariant generalization of the Poisson equation to D>2 dimensions

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2009-10-30 v1 Condensed Matter High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

I propound a non-linear generalization of the Poisson equation describing a "medium" in D dimensions with a "dielectric constant" proportional to the field strength to the power D-2. It is the only conformally invariant scalar theory that is second order, and in which the scalar phiphi couples to the sources ρ\rho via a ϕρ\phi\rho contact term. The symmetry is used to generate solutions for the field for some non-trivial configurations (e.g. for two oppositely charged points). Systems comprising N point charges afford further application of the symmetry. For these I derive e.g. exact expressions for the following quantities: the general two-point-charge force; the energy function and the forces in any three-body configuration with zero total charge; the few-body force for some special configurations; the virial theorem for an arbitrary, bound, many-particle system relating the time-average kinetic energy to the particle charges. Possible connections with an underlying conformal quantum field theory are mentioned.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.gr-qc/9705003,
  title  = {Non-linear conformally invariant generalization of the Poisson equation to D>2 dimensions},
  author = {Mordehai Milgrom},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:gr-qc/9705003},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

Revtex, 16 pages. To be published in Phys. Rev. E