The quantum inequalities do not forbid spacetime shortcuts

Details The quantum inequalities do not forbid spacetime shortcuts The quantum inequalities do not forbid spacetime shortcuts

2002-07-15

arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/0207057v3

Phys.Rev. D67 (2003) 104013

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology

Minor corrections and additions

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevD.67.104013

A class of spacetimes (comprising the Alcubierre bubble, Krasnikov tube, and a certain type of wormholes) is considered that admits `superluminal travel' in a strictly defined sense. Such spacetimes (they are called `shortcuts' in this paper) were suspected to be impossible because calculations based on `quantum inequalities' suggest that their existence would involve Planck-scale energy densities and hence unphysically large values of the `total amount of negative energy' E_tot. I argue that the spacetimes of this type may not be unphysical at all. By explicit examples I prove that: 1) the relevant quantum inequality does not (always) imply large energy densities; 2) large densities may not lead to large values of E_tot; 3) large E_tot, being physically meaningless in some relevant situations, does not necessarily exclude shortcuts.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The quantum inequalities do not forbid spacetime shortcuts does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The quantum inequalities do not forbid spacetime shortcuts, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The quantum inequalities do not forbid spacetime shortcuts will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-42857