The Constraints in Spherically Symmetric General Relativity I --- Optical Scalars, Foliations, Bounds on the Configuration Space Variables and the Positivity of the Quasi-Local Mass

We examine the constraints of spherically symmetric general relativity with one asymptotically flat region, exploiting both the traditional metric variables and variables constructed from the optical scalars. With respect to the latter variables, there exist two linear combinations of the Hamiltonian and momentum constraints which are related by time reversal. We introduce a one-parameter family of linear extrinsic time foliations of spacetime. The values of the parameter yielding globally valid gauges correspond to the vanishing of a timelike vector in the superspace of spherically symmetric geometries. We define a quasi-local mass on spheres of fixed proper radius which we prove is positive when the constraints are satisfied. Underpinning the proof are various local bounds on the configuration variables. We prove that a reasonable definition of the gravitational binding energy is always negative. Finally, we provide a tentative characterization of the configuration space of the theory in terms of closed bounded trajectories on the parameter space of the optical scalars.Comment: 45 pages, Plain Tex, 1 figure available from the authors

Extended objects with edges

We examine, from a geometrical point of view, the dynamics of a relativistic extended object with loaded edges. In the case of a Dirac-Nambu-Goto [DNG] object with DNG edges, the worldsheet $m$ generated by the parent object is, as in the case without boundary, an extremal timelike surface in spacetime. Using simple variational arguments, we demonstrate that the worldsheet of each edge is a constant mean curvature embedded timelike hypersurface on $m$, which coincides with its boundary, $\partial m$. The constant is equal in magnitude to the ratio of the bulk to the edge tension. The edge, in turn, exerts a dynamical influence on the motion of the parent through the boundary conditions induced on $m$, specifically that the traces of the projections of the extrinsic curvatures of $m$ onto $\partial m$ vanish.Comment: 13 pages, latex, published in Phys. Rev. D55, 2388 (1997

Hamilton's equations for a fluid membrane

Consider a homogenous fluid membrane described by the Helfrich-Canham energy, quadratic in the mean curvature of the membrane surface. The shape equation that determines equilibrium configurations is fourth order in derivatives and cubic in the mean curvature. We introduce a Hamiltonian formulation of this equation which dismantles it into a set of coupled first order equations. This involves interpreting the Helfrich-Canham energy as an action; equilibrium surfaces are generated by the evolution of space curves. Two features complicate the implementation of a Hamiltonian framework: (i) The action involves second derivatives. This requires treating the velocity as a phase space variable and the introduction of its conjugate momentum. The canonical Hamiltonian is constructed on this phase space. (ii) The action possesses a local symmetry -- reparametrization invariance. The two labels we use to parametrize points on the surface are themselves physically irrelevant. This symmetry implies primary constraints, one for each label, that need to be implemented within the Hamiltonian. The two lagrange multipliers associated with these constraints are identified as the components of the acceleration tangential to the surface. The conservation of the primary constraints imply two secondary constraints, fixing the tangential components of the momentum conjugate to the position. Hamilton's equations are derived and the appropriate initial conditions on the phase space variables are identified. Finally, it is shown how the shape equation can be reconstructed from these equations.Comment: 24 page

Sufficient Conditions for Apparent Horizons in Spherically Symmetric Initial Data

We establish sufficient conditions for the appearance of apparent horizons in spherically symmetric initial data when spacetime is foliated extrinsically. Let $M$ and $P$ be respectively the total material energy and the total material current contained in some ball of radius $\ell$. Suppose that the dominant energy condition is satisfied. We show that if $M- P \ge \ell$ then the region must possess a future apparent horizon for some non -trivial closed subset of such gauges. The same inequality holds on a larger subset of gauges but with a larger constant of proportionality which depends weakly on the gauge. This work extends substantially both our joint work on moment of time symmetry initial data as well as the work of Bizon, Malec and \'O Murchadha on a maximal slice.Comment: 16 pages, revtex, to appear in Phys. Rev.