Related papers: Continuous space-time transformations
The Stokes parameters form a Minkowskian four-vector under various optical transformations. As a consequence, the resulting two-by-two density matrix constitutes a representation of the Lorentz group. The associated Poincare sphere is a…
We study massive and massless conical defects in Minkowski and de Sitter spaces in various spacetime dimensions. The energy-momentum of a defect, considered as an (extended) relativistic object, is completely characterized by the holonomy…
This work provides a smooth and everywhere well-defined extension of Bondi-Metzner-Sachs (BMS) supertranslations into the bulk of Minkowski space. The supertranslations lead to physically distinct spacetimes, all isometric to Minkowski…
Contrary to what is often stated, a fundamental spacetime discreteness need not contradict Lorentz invariance. A causal set's discreteness is in fact locally Lorentz invariant, and we recall the reasons why. For illustration, we introduce a…
The conventional discussion of apparent distortions of space and time in Special Relativity (the Lorentz-Fitzgerald Contraction and Time Dilatation) is extended by considering observations of : (i) moving objects of limited lifetime in…
In 1908, Minkowski put forward the idea that invariance under what we call today the Lorentz group, $GL(1,3, {\bf R})$, would be more meaningful in a four-dimensional space-time continuum. This suggestion implies that space and time are…
In the derivation of Lorentz transformation, linear transformation between inertial frames is one of the most important steps. In teaching special relativity, we usually use the homogeneity and isotropy of spacetime to argue that the…
While conformal transformations of the plane preserve Laplace's equation, Lorentz-conformal mappings preserve the wave equation. We discover how simple geometric objects, such as quadrilaterals and pairs of crossing curves, are transformed…
In this paper we address the existence and uniqueness of entire spacelike hypersurfaces in the Lorentz--Minkowski space $\mathbb{L}^{m+1}$ with prescribed mean curvature that are star-shaped with respect to a point and asymptotic to a light…
Assume that arc length is measured with the flat spacetime metric. Then, for the most general Poincare group representation for translating 4-vectors, curves with parallel translated tangent vectors must have accelerations that are the…
A crucial step in the history of General Relativity was Einstein's adoption of the principle of general covariance which demands a coordinate independent formulation for our spacetime theories. General covariance helps us to disentangle a…
We prove that the only entrywise transforms of rectangular matrices which preserve total positivity or total non-negativity are either constant or linear. This follows from an extended classification of preservers of these two properties…
The Lorentz Transformation is traditionally derived requiring the Principle of Relativity and light-speed universality. While the latter can be relaxed, the Principle of Relativity is seen as core to the transformation. The present letter…
It is commonly assumed that if the optical metric of a dielectric medium is identical to the metric of a vacuum space-time then light propagation through the dielectric mimics light propagation in the vacuum. However, just as the curved…
In this work we find all helicoidal surfaces in Minkowski space with constant mean curvature whose generating curve is a the graph of a polynomial or a Lorentzian circle. In the first case, we prove that the degree of the polynomial is $0$…
Minkowski diagrams in 1+1 dimensional flat space-time are given a strictly geometric derivation, directly from two gedanken experiments incorporating the principle of the constancy of the velocity of light and the principle of (special)…
In this paper shall we endeavour to substantiate that the evolution of the Riemann- Christoffel tensor or curvature tensor can be expressed entirely by an arbitrary timelike vector field and that the curvature tensor returns to its initial…
An extended object is considered on the Minkowski background in the form of a space-time bag, which is bounded by a certain surface confining an internal substance. An internal metric is built starting from the symmetry principles rather…
We study a higher order conformally coupled scalar tensor theory endowed with a covariant geometric constraint relating the scalar curvature with the Gauss-Bonnet scalar. It is a particular Horndeski theory including a canonical kinetic…
Fields of Lorentz transformations on a space--time are related to tangent bundle self isometries. In other words, a gauge transformation with respect to the Minkowski metric on each fibre. Any such isometry can be expressed, at least…