The Alcubierre Warp Drive in Higher Dimensional Spacetime

"Originally an experimental craft to test the new "Diametric Induction Drive", the XCC-05 was later sold to a multi-national consortium of asteroid prospectors, and christened the "Earth Space Ship Lewis & Clark." With its new propulsion this ship was able to reach and survey the "Transition Zone" at the extreme boundaries of the Solar System. Fifteen months into its survey mission it transmitted the following message: 'Long range scans indicate an unidentified ship beyond 175 AU. Definitely a maneuvering ship. Setting course to investigate, will advise.'" It was never heard from again." -- Fictional vehicle, Marc Millis Design, courtesy of NASA

H. G. White1 and E. W. Davis2

2

5231 Pilgrim Oaks Lane, League City, TX 77573, USA Inst. for Advanced Studies at Austin, 4030 W. Braker Ln., Ste. 300, Austin, TX 78759, USA 1 thewhites@houston.rr.com

Introduction
The objective of this presentation is to discuss the implications of expanding an inflation-based metric (Alcubierre metric) into a higher dimensional manifold (Chung-Freese metric).
Although initial objective was to explore mathematical behavior, findings may mitigate negative energy requirement

Outline of Presentation
Introduction to the Alcubierre metric Introduction to the Chung Freese metric Comparisons between models Dark Energy equation of state derivation Potential Lab experiments

Inflation: Alcubierre Metric

In 1994, Alcubierre published a paper1 exploring the consequences of inflation within the context of General Relativity.
Paper derived inflation-based metric allowing for rapid transit times between points without locally violating the speed of light. Working mechanism was proposed to be the York Time (inflation). Alcubierre metric requires a halo of negative energy density which violates several energy conditions and is considered to be classically non-physical. Energy Density symmetric about the equator of the spherical region (y-z plane)
1. Alcubierre, M., The warp drive: hyper-fast travel within general relativity, Class. Quant. Grav. 11, L73-L77 (1994).

Inflation: Alcubierre Metric

Warp Drive Metric: York Time:
2 2 2

ds = dt + (dx vs f (rs )dt ) + dy + dz

2 2

= vs

vs =
f (rs ) =

dxs (t ) dt

xs df (rs ) rs drs

tanh ( (rs + R ) ) tanh ( (rs R ) ) 2 tanh(R )

rs (t ) =

(x xs (t ) )2 + y 2 + z 2
Space expansion behind ship Location of ship proper

Space contraction in front of ship

Inflation: Alcubierre Metric

Energy Density:

1 00 1 vs2 y 2 + z 2 G = 2 8 8 4rs

) df (r )
dr s
s

Symmetry Surface
Gedanken experimental NASA golf ball ship. Illustrative Purposes Only

+x?

+x?

Energy density toroid profile revolve around x-axis

Inflation: Alcubierre Metric, Canonical Form

In 2003, this author published a paper1 that derived the canonical form of the Alcubierre metric allowing for a better understanding of the physical nature, and how it might be manifested (at least mathematically).
Canonical form mitigated energy density symmetry paradox and showed that working mechanism might be the boost sphere (resulting from halo) acting on initial velocity (e.g boost = 2, initial v = 27,500mph, apparent v = 55,000mph). Boost is something that can be readily engineered, while the notion of inflation is less tangible. This model by itself was still a mathematical toy, unless the need for negative energy density issue could be addressed.

1.

White, H., A Discussion on space-time metric engineering, Gen. Rel. Grav. 35, 2025-2033 (2003).

Inflation: Alcubierre Metric, Canonical Form

Canonical Form of Alcubierre metric:
v f (r ) 2 ds 2 = vs f (rs ) 2 1 dt 2 s s2 dx dx 2 + dy 2 + dz 2 vs f (rs ) 1 2 ds 2 = dt 2 + (dx vs f (rs )dt ) + dy 2 + dz 2

Boost Field:

Since the equation is now in canonical form, we can extract the boost:

2 c2

= vs f (rs ) 2 1
2

]
]

Or taking c = 1 =

1 2 ln 1 vs f (rs ) 2 2

We will then use the following identity to extract the Lorentz Transform equation for the field:

= cosh( )

Inflation: Alcubierre metric verbal illustration

To help drive the point home, let us consider a Gedanken NASA golf ball experiment If we could give a NASA golf ball an initial velocity vi less than c and then speed up its local time rate, its final velocity to observers here on earth could be made to appear arbitrarily large.
However, if we put an astronaut inside of the LARGE golf ball, he/she would similarly experience the rapid time rate and thusly get no net benefit in terms of getting to Alpha Centauri in less than the minimum of 4.3 years.

What if we could speed up the outside surface of the NASA golf ball and not the inside?
That way the astronaut might benefit from the field existing only on the golf ball surface (or just outside) and appear to make it to Alpha Centauri in less than 4.3 years maybe even a few days. Being buried inside the golf balls warp field, the astronaut would be at rest with respect to the golf ball, so he/she would have the exact same velocity as the golf ball vi. Since vi is always less than c, he/she never locally breaks the speed of light and follows his/her own light cone. Gedanken experimental However, he/she can still be made to see a trip time to NASA golf ball ship. Alpha Centauri of less than 4.3 light years say even as little as 5 days (the time is arbitrary).

This is exactly what we just showed mathematically on the previous slides.

Boost Shell

Brane Cosmology: Chung-Freese metric

In 2000, Chung and Freese published a paper1 that mapped a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) metric into a higher dimensional manifold to address the cosmological horizon problem (e.g. COBE sphere smoothness).
In this model, our 3 + 1 universe exists as a brane imbedded in a higher dimensional bulk. By considering the null solutions for the metric (e.g. light rays), thermodynamic information can be communicated over vast distances without violating causality by means of transiting through the bulk. Model can be generalized to represent an n-dimensional space, and compactification can be included if desired.

1.

Chung, D. J. H., and Freese, K., Can geodesics in extra dimensions solve the cosmological horizon problem?, Phys. Rev. D 62, 063513 (2000).

Brane Cosmology: Chung-Freese metric

Chung Freese metric:

a 2 (t ) ds 2 = c 2 dt 2 + 2 kU dX 2 + dU 2 e
The above equation is a modified Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) metric dX2 term represents our normal affine space (on the brane) dU2 term represents the bulk with our brane being located at U = 0 As a mental construct to aid in visualization, consider 2-dimensional (2D) affine surface and label it as a brane upon which 2D Earthlings live their 2D lives. In this scenario, the x- and y-axes make up the x-y plane which will be labeled the brane. Thus dx2 + dy2 would be the dX2 in above. The remaining z-axis would be the axis pointing normal to the x-y plane (or brane) and hence into the bulk. Here, dz2 would be the equivalent to dU2 in above. To say that one has a non-zero off-brane bulk coordinate in this case would simply mean that the z-coordinate would be non-zero.

Comparison of null geodesics (e.g. light rays)

dX cekU dU 2 = 1 2 2 dt a(t ) c dt
dX/dt is the speed of a photon in coordinate space. For U = 0, dX/dt = 1 as expected For all other U, a photon will have the appearance of going faster than c, although it will not leave its own local light cone. In Alcubierre model, the boost serves a similar role for photon world lines

eU

Thermodynamics (Carroll & Ostlie method)

We will now reconsider the Alcubierre metric using the Carroll and Ostlie method to illustrate the notion of a false vacuum. From the First Law of Thermodynamics, with no heat flow, we have: Reconsider the Alcubierre sphere of constant potential identified by use of the canonical form dE = ps dV already discussed: We can replace dE with sdV which is the total energy change (recall we restricted the problem to state that the potential did not change, hence the energy density did not change during the expansion). Expand This leads to the following relationship between horizon the energy density and pressure

s = ps
If we constrain the problem to require that the potential remain the same as viewed by an external observer during expansion (e.g. boost stays the same), then what are the equations of state? This means that if the energy density is negative, the pressure is positive. The more interesting conclusion is the converse relation where a positive energy density corresponds to a negative pressure.

Thermodynamics (Carroll & Ostlie method)

So we have a horizon that encompasses an amount of matter where a toroidal ring of positive energy density will result in an apparent negative pressure.

Further, if we invoke that a boost is a scalar simplification for offbrane matter as previously hypothesized, then all matter within the sphere has a non-zero U value and will not be photonically interactive with matter here on brane.

These are the characteristics of what we currently would describe as Dark Energy. QED

Potential Interferometer Experiment

Since we know how to make a large spacetime expansion boost value, a test configuration could be invoked conceptually as shown. The figure depicts a modified MichelsonMorley Interferometer setup that makes use of a 1 cm diameter toroidal-ring of positive energy density on one leg of the interferometer. A He-Ne laser beam ( = 633 nm) is split allowing one part of the beam to pass through the center of the ring and hence the spherical warp field region. This warp field region will induce a relative phase shift between the split beams that could be detectable provided the magnitude of the phase shift is sufficient. If the desired phase shift goal were set to be roughly 1/4th wavelength (reasonable expectation), then the necessary boost field is on the order of 1.0000001 to 1.0000002.

From a purely Special Relativistic perspective, this equates to a velocity of ~ 0.0004c which could be achieved potentially with a toroidal ring of plasma. Additionally, we could take the route of acting on the boost by means of the potential or gauge, = cosh(). In this scenario, we would employ a ring of capacitors driven at high voltage and moderately high frequencies to act on the potential () of the ions within the dielectric. Work on this front is currently ongoing to develop system specific parameters such as RF amplifier power requirements, capacitor size, tank circuit details, and more. This last method may also be augmented with a B field orthogonal to the E field to produce off-brane plasma drift, and hence local thrust (a useable Casimir Force).

Questions?

rendition, by artist Les Bossinas found at http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/bpp/BPP_Art.htm

Appendix: General Relativity Least Action Principle Tutorial

Least Action Principle to find circular orbits for the Schwarzschild Metric
We will begin by recalling the Schwarzschild metric for a non-rotating black hole:
1 2m 2 ds = 1 dt r 1 2m r
2

dr 2 r 2 d 2 + sin 2 d 2

(1)

We have invoked natural units where G = c = 1. One method to determine all orbits for this metric would be to consider the following solution:

= xi + ijk x j x k

(2)

This would be very hard. Instead, we will use Lagrangian and Least Action principle. We will consider planar orbits. For convenience and without loss of generality, we choose =/2 (symmetry surface). Point in fact, geodesics in planes are also geodesics in the parent space meaning all orbits must planar. There is a more formal proof for this statement, but we will not pursue that here. Here is the metric for the special subcase:

1 2m 2 ds = 1 dt r 1 2m r
2

dr 2 r 2 d 2

(3)

Least Action Principle to find circular orbits for the Schwarzschild Metric
One might ask, for a curvillinear metric such as the above, what is the Lagrangian? The Lagrangian is the length of a tangent vector (to the geodesic) squared at a given point along a geodesic.

Figure 1: Geodesic Tangent Vector This can be stated mathematically as follows:

L = g ij x i x j = x

(4)

There are three cases for the Lagrangian, L = 1 for spacelike or timelike geodesics, and L = 0 for the null geodesic (i.e. photons).

Least Action Principle to find circular orbits for the Schwarzschild Metric
For the simplified Schwarzschild case, we have:
2 1 2m dt L = 1 r ds 1 2m r 2 dr 2 r 2 d ds ds

(5)

Or rather:
1 2m 2 L = 1 dt r 1 2m r dr 2 r 2 d 2

(5a)

We now need to apply the least action principle:

d L L i i =0 ds x x

(6)

Least Action Principle to find circular orbits for the Schwarzschild Metric
Case 1, xi = t The second term is zero, leaving only:
d 2m 2t 1 = 0 ds r

(7)

Which simplifies to the following after integration:

2m t 1 =k r This equation shows that the specific energy is constant (energy/unit mass), or rather conservation of energy.
Case 2, xi = For this case we have:

(7a)

d 2r 2 = 0 ds Which simplifies to the following after integration:

(8)

r 2 = kh

(8a)

This equation shows that the specific angular momentum is constant, or rather conservation of angular momentum.

Least Action Principle to find circular orbits for the Schwarzschild Metric
Case 3, xi = r For this case we have:

1 d 2r 1 2m ds r

2m 2 d 1 t + r 2 dr 1 2m r

r 2 + 2r 2 = 0

(8)

This is not as trivial as the last two relationships. Let us now just consider the subcase for circular orbits, or mathematically stated as the case where:
r= dr =0 ds

(9)

We can use (9) with (8) to arrive at a more simplified equation given below:
2m 2r 2 = 2 t 2 r

d 2 d m = 2 = ds = = 2 r3 t dt ds dt
2 2

m = 2 3 r

(10a) (10b) (10c)

This last equation is Keplers 3rd law. We can take (10b) along with the simplification for simple orbits, (9), and plug back into (3) to get:
2m 2 2 m 2 ds 2 = 1 dt r 3 dt r r 3m 2 ds = 1 dt r
2

(11a) (11b)

Least Action Principle to find circular orbits for the Schwarzschild Metric
What this equation now says is that if ds2 > 0 (any particles), then stable orbits can only exist if r > 3m. Further, if r = 3m then ds2 = 0. This means than only photons can orbit the black hole at r = 3m. Any photon that transits near the black hole in an azimuthal direction where the closest approach comes within 3m, then the photon will fall into the black hole. Another interesting consequence is that the outer apparent diameter of the hole is 3m, not the typically referred to 2m. As an observer falls into the black hole, he/she sees the black hole surrounded by an annulus edge of lensed light. As the observer hits the 3m position, the black circular hole now is an apparent flat black plane with no observable curvature whatsoever. As the observer crosses the 3m threshold, he/she sees a shrinking circle of starts behind until it becomes a pinprick of light at the actual event horizon at r = 2m.