Published January 2018 | Version v1
Journal article

A discrete classical space-time could require 6 extra-dimensions

  • 1. Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, IUSTI UMR 7343, 5 rue Enrico Fermi, 13453 Marseille Cedex 13 (France)

Description

We consider a discrete space–time in which conservation laws are computed in such a way that the density of information is kept bounded. We use a 2D billiard as a toy model to compute the uncertainty propagation in ball positions after every shock and the corresponding loss of phase information. Our main result is the computation of a critical time step above which billiard calculations are no longer deterministic, meaning that a multiverse of distinct billiard histories begins to appear, caused by the lack of information. Then, we highlight unexpected properties of this critical time step and the subsequent exponential evolution of the number of histories with time, to observe that after certain duration all billiard states could become possible final states, independent of initial conditions. We conclude that if our space–time is really a discrete one, one would need to introduce extra-dimensions in order to provide supplementary constraints that specify which history should be played.

Availability note (English)

Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aop.2017.11.023

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1016/j.aop.2017.11.023;
PII
S000349161730338X;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Annals of Physics (New York)
Journal Volume
388
Journal Page Range
p. 428-442
ISSN
0003-4916
CODEN
APNYA6

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
51009849
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
CALCULATION METHODS; COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION; CONSERVATION LAWS; DENSITY; LIMITING VALUES; MANY-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS; QUANTUM MECHANICS; SPACE-TIME
Descriptors DEC
MECHANICS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; SIMULATION

Optional Information

Notes
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