Related papers: Cosmology and Local Physics
We investigate a quasi-local energy naturally introduced by Kodama's prescription for a spherically symmetric space-time with a positive cosmological constant $\Lambda$. We find that this quasi-local energy is well behaved inside a…
We start with a brief account of the latest analysis of the Oklo phenomenon providing the still most stringent constraint on time-variability of the fine- structure constant $\alpha$. Comparing this with the recent result from the…
Existence of frame invariant, maximum, time interval $T$, length $L$, and mass $M$ is postulated. In the de Sitter universe - (1) the life span of universe, (2) the circumference of universe at the point of maximum expansion, and (3) the…
The dramatic confrontation between new observations and theories of the early and recent universe makes cosmology one of the most rapidly advancing fields in the physical sciences. The universe is a unique laboratory in which to probe…
These notes are intended as an introductory course for experimental particle physicists interested in the recent developments in astrophysics and cosmology. I will describe the standard Big Bang theory of the evolution of the universe, with…
Quantum mechanics forces us to reconsider certain aspects of classical causality. The 'central mystery' of quantum mechanics manifests in different ways, depending on the interpretation. This mystery can be formulated as the possibility of…
I address the question whether the origin of the observed arrow of time can be derived from quantum cosmology. After a general discussion of entropy in cosmology and some numerical estimates, I give a brief introduction into quantum…
In this paper we will discuss how cosmic strings can be used to bridge the gap between the local geometry of our spacetime model and the global topology. The primary tool is the theory of foliations and surfaces, and together with…
I discuss three connections between Dummett's writings about time and philosophical aspects of physics. The first connection (Section 2) arises from remarks of Dummett's about the different relations of observation to time and to space. The…
The familiar textbook quantum mechanics of laboratory measurements incorporates a quantum mechanical arrow of time --- the direction in time in which state vector reduction operates. This arrow is usually assumed to coincide with the…
I make a review on the aplications of the Bohm-De Broglie interpretation of quantum mechanics to quantum cosmology. In the framework of minisuperspaces models, I show how quantum cosmological effects in Bohm's view can avoid the initial…
Three related topics are discussed to show the "simplicity, harmony and beauty" of the theory of special relativity (SR): (1) How can de'Broglie discover his famous relation between the particle's momentum and a wave length -- a paradox…
The asymptotic behavior of the scalar field and its physical meaning are discussed for T=0 and T\neq 0 for the large enough coupling parameter \omega. The special character of the Brans-Dicke theory is also discussed for local and…
The cosmological principle says that the Universe is spatially homogeneous and isotropic. It predicts, among other phenomena, the cosmic redshift of light and the Hubble law. Nevertheless, the existence of structure in the Universe violates…
Following renewed interest, the problem of whether the cosmological expansion affects the dynamics of local systems is reconsidered. The cosmological correction to the equations of motion in the locally inertial Fermi normal frame (the…
An overview of the cosmological models with expansion, shear and rotation is presented. Problems of the rotating models are discussed, their general kinematic properties and dynamical realizations are described. A particular attention is…
In this paper we discuss the traditional approaches to the problem of the arrow of time. On the basis of this discussion we adopt a global and non-entropic approach, according to which the arrow of time has a global origin and is an…
Ideas of Statistical Physics are very relevant for cosmic structures especially considering that the field is undergoing a period of exceptional development with many new data appearing on a monthly basis. In the past years we have focused…
Scientists continue to wrestle with the enigma of time. Is time a dynamic or a fundamental property of spacetime? Why does it have an arrow pointing from past to future? Why are physical laws time-symmetric in a universe with broken…
We report on joint work, past and in progress, with K.Fredenhagen and with J.E,Roberts, on the quantum structure of spacetime in the small which is dictated by the principles of Quantum Mechanics and of General Relativity; we comment on how…