Self-forces on static bodies in arbitrary dimensions

ORAL

Abstract

I will present exact expressions for the scalar and electromagnetic self-forces and self-torques acting on arbitrary static extended bodies in arbitrary static spacetimes with any number of dimensions. Non-perturbatively, these results are identical in all dimensions. Meaningful point particle limits are quite different, however. I will discuss how such limits are defined and evaluated, resulting in simple ``regularization algorithms'' which can be used in concrete calculations. In them, self-interaction is shown to be progressively less important in higher numbers of dimensions, generically competing in magnitude with increasingly high-order extended-body effects. Conversely, self-interaction effects can be relatively large in $1+1$ and $2+1$ dimensions. It will further be shown that there is considerable freedom to use different ``effective fields'' in the laws of motion. Different choices give rise to different inertias, gravitational forces, and electromagnetic or scalar self-forces. However, the particular combinations of these quantities which are observable remain invariant under all possible field redefinitions.

Authors

  • Peter Taylor

    • University College Dublin
  • Abraham Harte

    • University College Dublin
  • E\'anna Flanagan

    • University College Dublin