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On Witten's proof of the positive energy theorem

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Abstract

This paper gives a mathematically rigorous proof of the positive energy theorem using spinors. This completes and simplifies the original argument presented by Edward Witten. We clarify the geometric aspects of this argument and prove the necessary analytic theorems concerning the relevant Dirac operator.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics, Harvard University, 02138, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Thomas Parker

  2. Department of Physics, Harvard University, 02138, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Clifford Henry Taubes

Authors
  1. Thomas Parker
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  2. Clifford Henry Taubes
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Additional information

Communicated by A. Jaffe

Supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant PHY79-16812

Junior Fellow, Harvard University Society of Fellows

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Parker, T., Taubes, C.H. On Witten's proof of the positive energy theorem. Commun.Math. Phys. 84, 223–238 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01208569

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01208569

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