Frenemies with Physicality: Manufacturing Manifold Metrics

TL;DR

This paper explores the complex and nuanced concept of physicality in the context of manifold metrics, emphasizing the need for flexible interpretations in modern physics including quantum and analogue models.

Contribution

It introduces new perspectives on physicality in manifold metrics, highlighting the importance of adaptable concepts in contemporary physics research.

Findings

Physicality manifests in multiple forms complicating metric analysis.

Traditional notions of physicality may not apply in quantum and analogue models.

Flexible frameworks are necessary for understanding physics with metrics.

Abstract

Physicality has the bad habit of sneaking up on unsuspecting physicists. Unfortunately, it comes in multitudinous incarnations, which will not always make sense in a given situation. Breaching a warp drive metric with physical arguments is all good, but often what counts as physicality here is but a mere mask for something else. In times of analogue space-times and quantum effects, a more open mind is needed. Not only to avoid using a concept of physicality out of its natural habitat, but also to find useful toy models for our enlarged phenomenology of physics with metrics. This journey is bound to be as vexing, confusing, and subtle as it (hopefully) will be illuminating, entertaining, and thought-provoking.