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Title: Conservation laws and stress-energy-momentum tensors for systems with background fields

Abstract

This article attempts to delineate the roles played by non-dynamical background structures and Killing symmetries in the construction of stress-energy-momentum tensors generated from a diffeomorphism invariant action density. An intrinsic coordinate independent approach puts into perspective a number of spurious arguments that have historically lead to the main contenders, viz the Belinfante-Rosenfeld stress-energy-momentum tensor derived from a Noether current and the Einstein-Hilbert stress-energy-momentum tensor derived in the context of Einstein's theory of general relativity. Emphasis is placed on the role played by non-dynamical background (phenomenological) structures that discriminate between properties of these tensors particularly in the context of electrodynamics in media. These tensors are used to construct conservation laws in the presence of Killing Lie-symmetric background fields. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The role of background fields in diffeomorphism invariant actions is demonstrated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Interrelations between different stress-energy-momentum tensors are emphasised. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The Abraham and Minkowski electromagnetic tensors are discussed in this context. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Conservation laws in the presence of nondynamic background fields are formulated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The discussion is facilitated by the development of a new variational calculus.

Authors:
 [1]
  1. Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YB (United Kingdom)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22157106
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Annals of Physics (New York)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 327; Journal Issue: 10; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0003-4916
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; CONSERVATION LAWS; COORDINATES; ELECTRODYNAMICS; GENERAL RELATIVITY THEORY; MINKOWSKI SPACE; SYMMETRY; TENSORS; VARIATIONAL METHODS

Citation Formats

Gratus, Jonathan, The Cockcroft Institute, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD, Obukhov, Yuri N., E-mail: yo@thp.uni-koeln.de, Tucker, Robin W., E-mail: r.tucker@lancaster.ac.uk, and The Cockcroft Institute, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD. Conservation laws and stress-energy-momentum tensors for systems with background fields. United States: N. p., 2012. Web. doi:10.1016/J.AOP.2012.07.006.
Gratus, Jonathan, The Cockcroft Institute, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD, Obukhov, Yuri N., E-mail: yo@thp.uni-koeln.de, Tucker, Robin W., E-mail: r.tucker@lancaster.ac.uk, & The Cockcroft Institute, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD. Conservation laws and stress-energy-momentum tensors for systems with background fields. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AOP.2012.07.006
Gratus, Jonathan, The Cockcroft Institute, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD, Obukhov, Yuri N., E-mail: yo@thp.uni-koeln.de, Tucker, Robin W., E-mail: r.tucker@lancaster.ac.uk, and The Cockcroft Institute, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD. 2012. "Conservation laws and stress-energy-momentum tensors for systems with background fields". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AOP.2012.07.006.
@article{osti_22157106,
title = {Conservation laws and stress-energy-momentum tensors for systems with background fields},
author = {Gratus, Jonathan and The Cockcroft Institute, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD and Obukhov, Yuri N., E-mail: yo@thp.uni-koeln.de and Tucker, Robin W., E-mail: r.tucker@lancaster.ac.uk and The Cockcroft Institute, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD},
abstractNote = {This article attempts to delineate the roles played by non-dynamical background structures and Killing symmetries in the construction of stress-energy-momentum tensors generated from a diffeomorphism invariant action density. An intrinsic coordinate independent approach puts into perspective a number of spurious arguments that have historically lead to the main contenders, viz the Belinfante-Rosenfeld stress-energy-momentum tensor derived from a Noether current and the Einstein-Hilbert stress-energy-momentum tensor derived in the context of Einstein's theory of general relativity. Emphasis is placed on the role played by non-dynamical background (phenomenological) structures that discriminate between properties of these tensors particularly in the context of electrodynamics in media. These tensors are used to construct conservation laws in the presence of Killing Lie-symmetric background fields. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The role of background fields in diffeomorphism invariant actions is demonstrated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Interrelations between different stress-energy-momentum tensors are emphasised. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The Abraham and Minkowski electromagnetic tensors are discussed in this context. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Conservation laws in the presence of nondynamic background fields are formulated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The discussion is facilitated by the development of a new variational calculus.},
doi = {10.1016/J.AOP.2012.07.006},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22157106}, journal = {Annals of Physics (New York)},
issn = {0003-4916},
number = 10,
volume = 327,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012},
month = {Mon Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012}
}