Tagged Questions
1
vote
0answers
61 views
Do we expect that the universe is simply-connected? [duplicate]
I heard recently that the universe is expected to be essentially flat. If this is true, I believe this means (by the 3d Poincare conjecture) that the universe cannot be simply-connected, since the ...
3
votes
3answers
259 views
Could metric expansion create holes, or cavities in the fabric of spacetime?
Is it possible for metric expansion to create holes, or cavities in the fabric of spacetime?
According to the Schwarzschild metric, the metric expansion of space around a black hole goes to infinity ...
3
votes
1answer
318 views
Chern number in condensed matter physics
In mathematics, the Chern number is defined in terms of the Chern class of a manifold. What is the exact definition of Chern number in condensed matter physics, i.e. quantum hall system?
4
votes
0answers
141 views
7 sphere, is there any physical interpretation of exotic spheres?
Basically an exotic sphere is topologically a sphere, but doesn't look like a one. Or more accurately:
homeomorphic but not diffeomorphic to the standard Euclidean n-sphere
The first exotic ...
1
vote
1answer
113 views
what is wrong with the following argument about stokes law in compact universes?
I want to understand what is wrong with the following argument:
in a topologically compact spacetime, a closed 3D boundary separates the spacetime in two connected components, because of this ...
4
votes
3answers
182 views
What are some mechanics examples with a globally non-generic symplecic structure?
In the framework of statistical mechanics, in books and lectures when the fundamentals are stated, i.e. phase space, Hamiltons equation, the density etc., phase space seems usually be assumed to be ...
3
votes
4answers
477 views
Topology needed for Differential Geometry [duplicate]
I am a physics undergrad, and need to study differential geometry ASAP to supplement my studies on solitons and instantons. How much topology do I need to know. I know some basic concepts reading from ...
2
votes
0answers
129 views
What are the topics of string theory that are comprehensible with only a mathematical background on Manifolds and Algebraic Topology?
What are the topics of string theory that are comprehensible with only a mathematical background on manifolds and algebraic topology? Also, I have read only the first four chapters in Peskin & ...
4
votes
2answers
344 views
Does spacetime in general relativity contain holes?
Are there physical models of spacetimes, which have bounded (four dimensional) holes in them?
And do the Einstein equations give restrictions to such phenomena?
Here by holes I mean ...
8
votes
2answers
393 views
Is spacetime simply connected?
As I've stated in a prior question of mine, I am a mathematician with very little knowledge of Physics, and I ask here things I'm curious about/things that will help me learn.
This falls into the ...
8
votes
3answers
808 views
Can spacetime be non-orientable?
This question asks what constraints there are on the global topology of spacetime from the Einstein equations. It seems to me the quotient of any global solution can in turn be a global solution. In ...
29
votes
6answers
1k views
What is known about the topological structure of spacetime?
General relativity says that spacetime is a Lorentzian 4-manifold $M$ whose metric satisfies Einstein's field equations. I have two questions:
What topological restrictions do Einstein's equations ...
