Équation d'Einstein | EPFL Graph Search

vignette|Équation sur un mur à Leyde. L’'équation d'Einstein ou équation de champ d'Einstein' (en anglais, Einstein field equation ou EFE), publiée par Albert Einstein, pour la première fois le , est l'équation aux dérivées partielles principale de la relativité générale. C'est une équation dynamique qui décrit comment la matière et l'énergie modifient la géométrie de l'espace-temps. Cette courbure de la géométrie autour d'une source de matière est alors interprétée comme le champ gravitationnel de cette source. Le mouvement des objets dans ce champ est décrit très précisément par l'équation de sa géodésique. Histoire Léquation d'Einstein est l'équation fondamentale de la relativité générale. Elle généralise l'équation de Poisson, forme locale de la loi de Newton. Elle consiste en une équation tensoriellenote|groupe=N|texte=En conséquence, l'équation est aussi connue comme l'équation tensorielle d'Einstein'. qui relie deux tenseurs dont elle exprime la proportionna

Topological defects and gravity in theories with extra dimensions

Ewald Rössl

Recent proposals of large and infinite extra dimensions triggered a strong research activity in theories in which our universe is considered as a sub-manifold of some higher-dimensional space-time, a so-called 3-brane. In this context, it is generally assumed that some mechanism is at work which binds Standard Model particles to the 3-brane, an effect often referred to as the localization of matter on the brane. Gravity, however, is allowed to propagate in general also in the extra dimensions. As demonstrated by Randall and Sundrum in 1999, it is also possible to localize gravity itself on a 3-brane. In the setup they proposed. the 3-brane is realized as a singular domain wall separating two patches of 3-dimensional anti-de-Sitter (AdS5) space-time. The potential between two test masses on the brane at distances larger than the AdS5-radius was shown to be the usual 4-dimensional Newtonian 1/r potential with strongly suppressed corrections. The model of Randall and Sundrum, usually referred to as the Randall-Sundrum II setup, constitutes the center of interest for this thesis. The main goal of this work is to find possible generalizations to higher dimensions of the simple setup considered by Randall and Sundrum. One of the motivations for such a generalization is that a realistic theory should possibly be able to explain the chiral nature of 4-dimensional fermions on the brane. One way to explain chiral fermions from higher dimensions is to consider 3-braves identified with the cores of topological defects located in a higher-dimensional transverse space. Naturally a richer topological structure of the field configuration in transverse space provides the possibility of a more realistic spectrum of chiral fermions localized on the 3-brane. After two introductory chapters on extra dimensions and non-factorizable geometries which are relevant for the Randall-Sundrum II model, we briefly discuss basics of topological defects in the following third chapter. In the rest of the third chapter we consider various solutions to higher-dimensional Einstein equations coupled to a series of physically different sources and discuss their properties of localization of gravity. Due to their asymptotic nature, these solutions are only valid far from the cores of the defects in transverse space. Therefore, it seems reasonable to complement the consideration by presenting a particular numerical example of a solution to the Einstein equations coupled to a set of scalar and gauge fields: this solution describes a 3-brave realized as a 't Hooft-Polyakov monopole residing in the 3-dimensional transverse space of a 7-dimensional space-time. The last chapter of this work is dedicated to the study of a modification of the original Randall-Sundrum II model of another kind. The motivation is given by the geodesic incompleteness of the latter scenario with respect to time-like and light-like geodesics. We will describe a model which resembles the Randall-Sundrurn II model with respect to its properties of gravity localization but with the advantage that the underlying space-time manifold is geodesically complete. Parts of the calculations related to the properties of gravity at low energies in this model are rather technical in nature and we therefore preferred to assemble them in several appendices. We finally add some concluding remarks and discuss possible further developments.

EPFL2004

Simulation numérique des phénomènes thermiques et magnétohydrodynamiques dans une cellule de Hall-Héroult

Yasser Safa

This work is concerned with a numerical simulation of the thermal behaviour of an electrolysis cell for the production of the aluminium. Aluminium is produced by an electrolytic reduction of alumina dissolved in a bath of molten cryolite. In this reduction process, called Hall-Héroult process, the metal is produced at about 965 °C. A frozen bath layer, called ledge, arises in the boundary region and protects the side walls of the cell from corrosive electrolyte. This ledge may change the magnetohydrodynamical equilibrium of the cell and reduce the heat loss through the walls. The ledge is thus playing a significant role in both the thermal and magnetohydrodynamical behaviour of the cell. A precise knowledge of the ledge is thus an imporant ingredient in the optimization process of the cell. The temperature field and the ledge shape in a whole smelter are obtained by simultaneously solving the system of equations formed by: a non-linear convection-diffusion heat equation, which can be considered as a Stephan problem in enthalpy and temperature in the domain of the cell occupied by fluids and ledge, Navier-Stokes equations with a free interface in the fluid domains and Maxwell equations in the whole space. The source term of the heat equation results from the Joule effect due to the electrical current crossing the cell. A Chernoff scheme is used to numerically solve Stephan problem. Three dimensional numerical calculations showing ledge shape, temperature and velocity fields as well as electrical potential for an operating cell are obtained. The effect of thermal field on the electrical current and the effect of fluid motions on the ledge shape in the aluminium cells are presented.

EPFL2005

Topological defects and gravity in theories with extra dimensions

Ewald Rössl

EPFL2004