Revisiting observables in generally covariant theories in the light of gauge fixing methods

Journal Article · Thu Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2009 · Physical Review. D, Particles Fields

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVD.80.084015· OSTI ID:21325359

Pons, J M; Salisbury, D C; Sundermeyer, K A ^[1]

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1. Departament d'Estructura i Constituents de la Materia and Institut de Ciencies del Cosmos, Universitat de Barcelona, Diagonal 647, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia (Spain)

We derive for generally covariant theories the generic dependency of observables on the original fields, corresponding to coordinate-dependent gauge fixings. This gauge choice is equivalent to a choice of intrinsically defined coordinates accomplished with the aid of spacetime scalar fields. With our approach we make full contact with, and give a new perspective to, the 'evolving constants of motion' program. We are able to directly derive generic properties of observables, especially their dynamics and their Poisson algebra in terms of Dirac brackets, extending earlier results in the literature. We also give a new interpretation of the observables as limits of canonical maps.

• OSTI ID: 21325359
• Journal Information: Physical Review. D, Particles Fields, Vol. 80, Issue 8; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.80.084015; (c) 2009 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0556-2821
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
COORDINATES
GAUGE INVARIANCE
QUANTUM OPERATORS
SCALAR FIELDS
SPACE-TIME