Energy in gravitational theories: definition, positivity theorems, and stability

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5806348

Deser, S

The physical meaning of energy in generally covariant gravitational models is analyzed and shown to lead to a simple invariant formal definition. The derivation of the recent positive energy and stability theorems for Einstein and supergravities with arbitrary cosmological constant are derived. Other models, such as tensor-scalar and higher derivative gravity, are briefly considered, as are semiclassical stability and Kaluza-Klein theory. It is concluded that energy is unique, well-defined, and has all the desirable stability properties for physically relevant solutions in most gravitational models with or without cosmological constant. It is positive-definite for all classical solutions of Einstein's equations asymptotic to the appropriate vacuum-Minkowski or de Sitter spaces. Energy positivity also holds, at least formally, in all supergravities with arbitrary N. 31 references.

• Research Organization: Brandeis Univ., Waltham, MA
• OSTI ID: 5806348
• Report Number(s): CONF-821227-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.; (United States) Journal Volume: 422
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640106* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmology
657003 -- Theoretical & Mathematical Physics-- Relativity & Gravitation
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMOLOGY
EINSTEIN FIELD EQUATIONS
ENERGY SPECTRA
EQUATIONS
FIELD EQUATIONS
FIELD THEORIES
GENERAL RELATIVITY THEORY
GRAVITATION
SPACE-TIME
SPECTRA
SUPERGRAVITY
UNIFIED-FIELD THEORIES