Event

Geometrically-induced spin precession in Kerr geometry

Wednesday, December 2, 2015 13:45to15:30
Room 1025 - Lounge, Burnside Hall, CA, QC, Montreal, 805, Sherbrooke, CA


The Department of Mathematics and Statistics invites you to attend the Ph.D. Oral Defense of Mr. Anusar Farooqui.


ABSTRACT

We consider the effect of spacetime geometry on the intrinsic spin of test particles. Specifically, we isolate and study the transformation of the intrinsic spin of photons and Dirac particles as they propagate along geodesics in Kerr geometry. Reference frames play a crucial role in the definition and measurement of the intrinsic spin of test particles. We show how observers located in the outer geometry of Kerr black holes may exploit the symmetries of the geometry to set up reference frames using purely geometric, locally-available information. Armed with these geometrically-defined reference frames, we investigate the geometrically-induced precession of test particles in the outer geometry of Kerr black holes. We analyze the intrinsic spin of both photons propagating along null geodesics and Dirac particles propagating along timelike geodesics. 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chair
Professor David A. Stephens, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, McGill University

Supervisors   
Professor Niky Kamran, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, McGill University
Professor Prakash Panangaden, School of Computer Science, McGill University

Internal Examiner
Professor Jacques Hurtubise, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, McGill University

External Member
Professor Pavel Winternitz, Département de mathématiques et de statistique, Université de Montréal

Pro-Dean
TBA

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