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Raychaudhuri equation in quantum gravitational optics

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Abstract

The equation of Raychaudhuri is one of the key concepts in the formulation of the singularity theorems introduced by Penrose and Hawking. In the present article, taking into account QED vacuum polarization, we study the propagation of a bundle of rays in a background gravitational field through the perturbative deformation of Raychaudhuri’s equation. In a sense, this could be seen as another semiclassical study in which geometry is treated classically but matter (which means the photon here) is allowed to exhibit quantum characteristics that are encoded in its coupling to the background curvature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Tehran, North Karegar Ave., Tehran, 14395-547, Iran

    N. Ahmadi & M. Nouri-Zonoz

  2. Institute for Studies in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics, P.O. Box 19395-5531, Tehran, Iran

    M. Nouri-Zonoz

Authors
  1. N. Ahmadi
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  2. M. Nouri-Zonoz
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Ahmadi, N., Nouri-Zonoz, M. Raychaudhuri equation in quantum gravitational optics. Pramana - J Phys 69, 147–157 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12043-007-0116-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12043-007-0116-3

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