Pseudo-timelike loops in signature changing semi-Riemannian manifolds with a transverse radical

In 1983, Hartle and Hawking proposed the no-boundary proposal, suggesting that the universe has no beginning in the sense of a spacetime singularity or boundary. Nevertheless, there is an origin of time. Mathematically, this involves signature-type changing manifolds in which a Riemannian region smoothly transitions to a Lorentzian region across the hypersurface H where time begins.We develop a coherent framework for signature changing manifolds with a degenerate yet smooth metric. Established Lorentzian tools and results are then adapted to this setting, and new definitions are introduced that carry unforeseen causal implications. A noteworthy consequence is the presence of locally time-reversing loops through every point on the hypersurface. Imposing global hyperbolicity on the Lorentzian region, we prove that for every point p∈M there exists a pseudo-timelike loop self-intersecting at p. Equivalently, M always admits a closed pseudo-timelike path around which the time direction reverses, preventing any consistent distinction between future- and past-directed vectors. To an observer near H, such loops may appear as the creation of a particle–antiparticle pair at two distinct points.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Results in Physics
Published
2025-10-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinp.2025.108478
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Advanced Differential Geometry Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.15
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Pseudo-timelike loops in signature changing semi-Riemannian manifolds with a transverse radical

Nathalie Rieger, W. Hasse
1 citations
Results in Physics
Advanced Differential Geometry Research
1.15
article

Pseudo-timelike loops in signature changing semi-Riemannian manifolds with a transverse radical

Nathalie Rieger, W. Hasse
article en
1 citations

Abstract

In 1983, Hartle and Hawking proposed the no-boundary proposal, suggesting that the universe has no beginning in the sense of a spacetime singularity or boundary. Nevertheless, there is an origin of time. Mathematically, this involves signature-type changing manifolds in which a Riemannian region smoothly transitions to a Lorentzian region across the hypersurface H where time begins.We develop a coherent framework for signature changing manifolds with a degenerate yet smooth metric. Established Lorentzian tools and results are then adapted to this setting, and new definitions are introduced that carry unforeseen causal implications. A noteworthy consequence is the presence of locally time-reversing loops through every point on the hypersurface. Imposing global hyperbolicity on the Lorentzian region, we prove that for every point p∈M there exists a pseudo-timelike loop self-intersecting at p. Equivalently, M always admits a closed pseudo-timelike path around which the time direction reverses, preventing any consistent distinction between future- and past-directed vectors. To an observer near H, such loops may appear as the creation of a particle–antiparticle pair at two distinct points.

Results in PhysicsVol. 78
Openalex Percentile: Top 16%
Advanced Differential Geometry Research
1.15
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.