Volume elements of space-time and a quartet of scalar fields

Dec, 1997
7 pages
Published in:
  • Phys.Rev.D 58 (1998) 084021
e-Print:

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Abstract: (arXiv)
Starting with a `bare' 4-dimensional differential manifold as a model of spacetime, we discuss the options one has for defining a volume element which can be used for physical theories. We show that one has to prescribe a scalar density \sigma. Whereas conventionally \sqrt{|\det g_{ij}|} is used for that purpose, with g_{ij} as the components of the metric, we point out other possibilities, namely \sigma as a `dilaton' field or as a derived quantity from either a linear connection or a quartet of scalar fields, as suggested by Guendelman and Kaganovich.
Note:
  • 7 pages RevTEX, submitted to Phys. Rev. D
  • space-time: measure
  • differential geometry
  • field theory: scalar
  • dilaton