University of Connecticut | Department of Physics
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Particles, Astrophysics, and Nuclear Physics Seminar
Mr.
Douglas
Urban
Department of Physics,
Tufts University
Averaged null energy condition violation in a conformally flat spacetime
We show that the averaged null energy condition can be violated by a conformally coupled scalar field in a conformally flat spacetime in 3+1 dimensions. The violation is dependent on the quantum state and can be made as large as desired. It does not arise from the presence of anomalies, although anomalous violations are also possible. Since all geodesics in conformally flat spacetimes are achronal, the achronal averaged null energy condition is likewise violated.