The electric and magnetic fields of a pole-dipole singularity attributed to a point-electron-singularity in the Maxwell field are expressed in a Colombeau algebra of generalized functions. This enables one to calculate dynamical quantities quadratic in the fields which are otherwise mathematically ill-defined: The self-energy (i.e., `mass'), the self-angular momentum (i.e., `spin'), the self-momentum (i.e., `hidden momentum'), and the self-force. While the total self-force and self-momentum are zero, therefore insuring that the electron-singularity is stable, the mass and the spin are diverging integrals of delta-squared-functions. Yet, after renormalization according to standard prescriptions, the expressions for mass and spin are consistent with quantum theory, including the requirement of a gyromagnetic ratio greater than one. The most striking result, however, is that the electric and magnetic fields differ from the classical monopolar and dipolar fields by delta-function terms which are usually considered as insignificant, while in a Colombeau algebra these terms are precisely the sources of the mechanical mass and spin of the electron-singularity.
The objective of this introduction to Colombeau algebras of generalized-functions (in which distributions can be freely multiplied) is to explain in elementary terms the essential concepts necessary for their application to basic non-linear problems in classical physics. Examples are given in hydrodynamics and electrodynamics. The problem of the self-energy of a point electric charge is worked out in detail: The Coulomb potential and field are defined as Colombeau generalized-functions, and integrals of nonlinear expressions corresponding to products of distributions (such as the square of the…
The electromagnetic scattering of a spin-0 charged particle off a fixed center is calculated in first-order quantum perturbation theory. This implies evaluating the square of a `Dirac delta-function,' an operation that is not defined in Schwartz distribution theory, and which in elementary text-books is dealt with according to `Fermi's golden rule.' In this paper these conventional calculations are carefully reviewed, and their crucial parts reformulated in a Colombeau algebra -- in which the product of distributions is mathematically well defined. The conclusions are: (1) The Dirac delta-func…
In \cite{bf} Brézis and Friedman prove that certain nonlinear parabolic equations, with the $δ$-measure as initial data, have no solution. However in \cite{cl} Colombeau and Langlais prove that these equations have a unique solution even if the $δ$-measure is substituted by any Colombeau generalized function of compact support. Here we generalize Colombeau and Langlais their result proving that we may take any generalized function as the initial data. Our approach relies on resent algebraic and topological developments of the theory of Colombeau generalized functions and results from \cite{A}.
This is a gentle introduction to Colombeau nonlinear generalized functions, a generalization of the concept of distributions such that distributions can freely be multiplied. It is intended to physicists and applied mathematicians who prefer a `step-by-step approach' to a `top-down indoctrination.' No particular prerequisite knowledge is necessary -- and in less than one hour you should know everything you need to know and were afraid to ask about Colombeau algebras and their applications in physics... A selected bibliography is appended, giving examples of applications to partial differential…
The response of mechanical systems composed of springs and dashpots to a step input is of eminent interest in the applications. If the system is formed by linear elements, then its response is governed by a system of linear ordinary differential equations, and the mathematical method of choice for the analysis of the response of such systems is the classical theory of distributions. However, if the system contains nonlinear elements, then the classical theory of distributions is of no use, since it is strictly limited to the linear setting. Consequently, a question arises whether it is even po…
In global seismology Earth's properties of fractal nature occur. Zygmund classes appear as the most appropriate and systematic way to measure this local fractality. For the purpose of seismic wave propagation, we model the Earth's properties as Colombeau generalized functions. In one spatial dimension, we have a precise characterization of Zygmund regularity in Colombeau algebras. This is made possible via a relation between mollifiers and wavelets.
The electromagnetic field of the ultrarelativistic Reissner-Nordstrom solution shows the physically highly unsatisfactory property of a vanishing field tensor but a nonzero, i.e., delta-like, energy density. The aim of this work is to analyze this situation from a mathematical point of view, using the framework of Colombeau's theory of nonlinear generalized functions. It is shown that the physically unsatisfactory situation is mathematically perfectly defined and that one cannot aviod such situations when dealing with distributional valued field tensors.
This paper gives a comprehensive analysis of algebras of Colombeau-type generalized functions in the range between the diffeomorphism-invariant quotient algebra $\mathcal{G}^d = \mathcal{E}_M/\mathcal{N}$ introduced in part I and Colombeau's original algebra $\mathcal{G}^e$. Three main results are established: First, a simple criterion describing membership in $\mathcal{N}$ (applicable to all types of Colombeau algebras) is given. Second, two counterexamples demonstrate that $\mathcal{G}^d$ is not injectively included in $\mathcal{G}^e$. Finally, it is shown that in the range ``between'' $\mat…
The axiomatic formulation of quantum field theory (QFT) of the 1950's in terms of fields defined as operator valued Schwartz distributions is re-examined in the light of subsequent developments. These include, on the physical side, the construction of a wealth of (2-dimensional) soluble QFT models with quadratic exchange relations, and, on the mathematical side, the introduction of the Colombeau algebras of generalized functions. Exploiting the fact that energy positivity gives rise to a natural regularization of Wightman distributions as analytic functions in a tube domain, we argue that the …
Extending the construction of the (intrinsically defined) full algebra of scalar valued Colombeau functions on a smooth manifold M (Grosser et al., Adv. Math. 166 (2002), 179-206) we present a suitable basic space for eventually obtaining tensor valued generalized functions on M, via the usual quotient construction. This basic space canonically contains the tensor valued distributions and permits a natural extension of the classical Lie derivative. Its members are smooth functions depending - via a third slot - on so-called transport operators, in addition to slots one (smooth n-forms on M) an…
In arXiv:0806.4682 the self-energy and self-angular momentum (i.e., electromagnetic mass and spin) of a classical point-electron were calculated in a Colombeau algebra. In the present paper these quantities are calculated in the better known framework of `regularized distributions,' i.e., the customary setting used in field-theory to manipulate diverging integrals, distributions, and their products. The purpose is to compare these two frameworks, and to highlight the reasons why the Colombeau theory of nonlinear generalized functions could be the physically preferred setting for making these c…
We present the construction of an associative, commutative algebra $\hat {\mathcal G}$ of generalized functions on a manifold $X$ satisfying the following optimal set of permanence properties: (i)The space of distributions on $X$ is linearly embedded into $\hat {\mathcal G}$, $f(p)\equiv 1$ is the unity in the algebra. (ii) For every smooth vector field $ξ$ on $X$ there exists a derivation operator $\hat L_ξ: \hat {\mathcal G} \to \hat {\mathcal G}$ which is linear and satisfies the Leibniz rule. (iii) $L_ξ$ restricted to the space of distributions on $X$ is the usual Lie derivative. (iv) Mult…
We give an overview of the development of algebras of generalized functions in the sense of Colombeau and recent advances concerning diffeomorphism invariant global algebras of generalized functions and tensor fields. We furthermore provide a survey on possible applications in general relativity in light of the limitations of distribution theory.
This work reports on the construction of a nonlinear distributional geometry (in the sense of Colombeau's special setting) and its applications to general relativity with a special focus on the distributional description of impulsive gravitational waves.
We construct a diffeomorphism invariant (Colombeau-type) differential algebra canonically containing the space of distributions in the sense of L. Schwartz. Employing differential calculus in infinite dimensional (convenient) vector spaces, previous attempts in this direction are unified and completed. Several classification results are achieved and applications to nonlinear differential equations involving singularities are given.
In this article we investigate the existence of a solution to a semilinear, elliptic, partial differential equation with distributional coefficients and data. The problem we consider is a generalization of the Lichnerowicz equation that one encounters in studying the constraint equations in general relativity. Our method for solving this problem consists of solving a net of regularized, semilinear problems with data obtained by smoothing the original, distributional coefficients. In order to solve these regularized problems, we develop a priori pointwise bounds and sub- and super-solutions and…
We introduce a concept of causality in the framework of generalized pseudo-Riemannian Geometry in the sense of J.F. Colombeau and establish the inverse Cauchy-Schwarz inequality in this context. As an application, we prove a dominant energy condition for some energy tensors as put forward in Hawking and Ellis's book "The large scale structure of space-time". Our work is based on a new characterization of free elements in finite dimensional modules over the ring of generalized numbers.
The concept of generalized functions taking values in a differentiable manifold is extended to a functorial theory. We establish several characterization results which allow a global intrinsic formulation both of the theory of manifold-valued generalized functions and of generalized vector bundle homomorphisms. As a consequence, a characterization of equivalence that does not resort to derivatives (already known for the scalar-valued cases of Colombeau's construction) is achieved. These results are employed to derive a point value description of all types of generalized functions valued in man…
We present a geometric approach to defining an algebra $\hat{\mathcal G}(M)$ (the Colombeau algebra) of generalized functions on a smooth manifold $M$ containing the space ${\mathcal D}'(M)$ of distributions on $M$. Based on differential calculus in convenient vector spaces we achieve an intrinsic construction of $\hat{\mathcal G}(M)$. $\hat{\mathcal G}(M)$ is a{\em differential} algebra, its elements possessing Lie derivatives with respect to arbitrary smooth vector fields. Moreover, we construct a canonical linear embedding of ${\mathcal D}'(M)$ into $\hat{\mathcal G}(M)$ that renders ${\mat…
The new global version of the Cauchy-Kovalevskaia theorem presented here is a strengthening and extension of the regularity of similar global solutions obtained earlier by the author. Recently the space-time foam differential algebras of generalized functions with dense singularities were introduced. A main motivation for these algebras comes from the so called space-time foam structures in General Relativity, where the set of singularities can be dense. A variety of applications of these algebras have been presented elsewhere, including in de Rham cohomology, Abstract Differential Geometry, Q…
We present numerical techniques based on generalized functions adapted to nonlinear calculations. They concern main numerical engineering problems ruled by-or issued from-nonlinear equations of continuum mechanics. The aim of this text is to invite the readers in applying these techniques in their own work without significant prerequisites by presenting their use on a sample of elementary applications from engineering. Pure mathematicians can read it easily since the numerical techniques are fully recalled in a very simple way and these applied mathematics are indeed based on nonlinear pure ma…
A generalized nonlinear Schrödinger equation admits WTC formal solutions as was shown by Clarkson. We show that they are convergent and determine real-analytic solutions near a noncharacteristic, movable singularity manifold.
A class of generalized nonlinear Kolmogorov equations is investigated. We present the group classification of Lie symmetries of the class with respect to the group of equivalence transformations. We find a number of exact solutions of nonlinear Kolmogorov equations which has the maximal symmetry properties.
A simple 1-D relativistic model for a diatomic molecule with a double point interaction potential is solved exactly in a constant electric field. The Weyl-Titchmarsh-Kodaira method is used to evaluate the spectral density function, allowing the correct normalization of continuum states. The boundary conditions at the potential wells are evaluated using Colombeau's generalized function theory along with charge conjugation invariance and general properties of self-adjoint extensions for point-like interactions. The resulting spectral density function exhibits resonances for quasibound states whi…
The classical nonlinear oscillator, proposed by Mathews and Lakshmanan in 1974 and including a position-dependent mass in the kinetic energy term, is generalized in two different ways by adding an extra term to the potential. The solutions of the Euler-Lagrange equation are shown to exhibit richer behaviour patterns than those of the original nonlinear oscillator.
A two-dimensional generalized cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation with complex coefficients for the group dispersion and nonlinear terms is used to investigate the evolution of a finite-amplitude localized initial perturbation. It is found that modulation of the latter can lead to side-band formation, wave condensation, collapse, turbulence, and inverse cascade, although not all together nor in that order.
