Foundations of anisotropic relativistic mechanics
Abstract
We lay down the foundations of particle dynamics in mechanical theories that satisfy the relativity principle and whose kinematics can be formulated employing reference frames of the type usually adopted in special relativity. Such mechanics allow for the presence of anisotropy, both conventional (due to nonstandard synchronization protocols) and real (leading to detectable chronogeometrical effects, independent of the choice of synchronization). We give a general method for finding the fundamental dynamical quantities (Lagrangian, energy, and momentum) and write their explicit expression in all the kinematics compatible with the basic requirements. We also write the corresponding dispersion relations and outline a formulation of these theories in terms of a pseudo-Finslerian space-time geometry. Although the treatment is restricted to the case of one spatial dimension, an extension to three dimensions is almost straightforward.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Mathematical Physics
- Pub Date:
- April 2009
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.3104065
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0812.1294
- Bibcode:
- 2009JMP....50d2902S
- Keywords:
-
- 03.30.+p;
- 04.25.-g;
- 02.40.-k;
- Special relativity;
- Approximation methods;
- equations of motion;
- Geometry differential geometry and topology;
- General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology;
- Mathematical Physics;
- Physics - Classical Physics
- E-Print:
- 41 pages, 4 figures