The need for a nonlocal expansion in general relativity
Abstract
Motivated by known facts about effective field theory and non-Abelian gauge theory, we argue that the post-Newtonian approximation might fail even in the limit of weak fields and small velocities for wide-extended rotating bodies, where angular momentum spans significant spacetime curvature. We construct a novel dimensionless quantity that samples this breakdown, and we evaluate it by means of existing analytical solutions of rotating extended bodies and observational data. We give estimates for galaxies and binary systems, as well as our home in the Cosmos, Laniakea. We thus propose that a novel effective field theory of general relativity might be needed to account for the onset of nonlocal angular momentum effects.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2411.11990,
title = {The need for a nonlocal expansion in general relativity},
author = {Marco Galoppo and Giorgio Torrieri},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2411.11990},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
Version accepted for publication, Annals of Physics Discussion extended, new data comparisons added, abstract and title changed for clarity. Physics discussion and conclusions unchanged