Published May 7, 2014 | Version v1
Journal article

Faster than light motion does not imply time travel

  • 1. Alfréd Rényi Institute of Mathematics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Reáltanoda utca 13-15, H-1053, Budapest (Hungary)
  • 2. Department of Computer Science, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 211 Portobello, Sheffield S1 4DP (United Kingdom)

Description

Seeing the many examples in the literature of causality violations based on faster than light (FTL) signals one naturally thinks that FTL motion leads inevitably to the possibility of time travel. We show that this logical inference is invalid by demonstrating a model, based on (3+1)-dimensional Minkowski spacetime, in which FTL motion is permitted (in every direction without any limitation on speed) yet which does not admit time travel. Moreover, the Principle of Relativity is true in this model in the sense that all observers are equivalent. In short, FTL motion does not imply time travel after all. (paper)

Availability note (English)

Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381/31/9/095005

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Classical and Quantum Gravity
Journal Volume
31
Journal Issue
9
Journal Page Range
[11 p.]
ISSN
0264-9381
CODEN
CQGRDG

INIS

Country of Publication
United Kingdom
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
46047406
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
CAUSALITY; MINKOWSKI SPACE; SIGNALS; VELOCITY; VISIBLE RADIATION
Descriptors DEC
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; MATHEMATICAL SPACE; RADIATIONS; SPACE