Waves and gravity - mathematical

formulations that allow reinterpretations and

openings in technology
Constantin Udriste, Florin Munteanu, Dorel Zugravescu
UNESCO Chair in Geodynamics, Sabba S. Stefanescu
Institute of Geodynamics, Romanian Academy
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is twofold: (i) a description of standing
waves, (ii) revealing the informational origin of gravity.
Waves are achieved by imposing a special form of solutions of the
system of partial differential equations (PDE) describing electromagnetic waves. One obtains a frequency dependent EDP system. This
system can be solved using two methods: (i) eigenvalues eigenvectors,
(ii) three-dimensional Fourier transform.
Information theory is a branch of applied mathematics, electrical engineering, bio-informatics, and computer science involving the
quantification of information. A key measure of information is entropy,
which is usually expressed by the average number of bits needed to
store or communicate one symbol in a message. Entropy quantifies
the uncertainty involved in predicting the value of a random variable.
Entropy is a measure of unpredictability or information content. From
entropy, energy and temperature we obtain the Newton Law, the Newton Law of Masses and informational origin of gravity since changes in
the amount of information, measured by entropy, can lead to a force.

Mathematics Subject Classification 2010: 74J99, 94A15.

Keywords: equilibrium wave distribution, information, gravity, Newton
Laws.

Systems optimization

The systems optimization is based on finding an alternative with the most or

highest achievable performance under the given constraints, by maximizing
desired factors and minimizing undesired ones. Particularly, the antenna optimization aims at creating advanced and complex electromagnetic devices
that must be competitive in terms of performance, serviceability, and cost
effectiveness. Our paper highlights the most controversial ideas (standing
waves, and passing from entropy to Newton Law) that can change the traditional technology into nano-technology. It is aimed at defining certain
technologies (ortho-technologies) based on control of quantum vacuum dynamics, using geometric control functions (patterns) resonant to the structure
induced in Dirac space (vacuum) [2], [4].

Time-independent wave PDE

Proposition The time waves are born on a bed of standing waves.

Proof via spatial solitons
(=) From time waves to steady-state waves
The propagation of the electromagnetic waves in a medium free of charges
and currents is described by the wave equation


2
2
(W )

 2 F (t, ~r) = 0
t
is the
on the Lorenz manifold (R4 , g11 = g22 = g33 = 1, g44 = 1). Here,
permeability and  is the permittivity of the medium and F (t, ~r) stands for
the electromagnetic fields, E(t, ~r) or B(t, ~r). The relative permeability and
the permittivity  are defined by
=


, = ,
0
0

where 0 0 = 1/c2 and c is the speed of light in free space.

The parameters and  are constants for a linear, homogeneous, isotropic
and non-dispersive medium. Generally, they are complex, space-dependent
and frequency-dependent corresponding to absorbing or active, non-uniform
and dispersive medium.
2

Imposing oscillatory electromagnetic fields of the form (spatial solitons)

F (t, ~r) = (~r)eit , || (~r)|| 0, when ||~r|| ,
as solutions of (W ), we obtain a time independent wave PDE, but a frequency
dependent PDE,


2
2
(SS)
+ (, ~r) (, ~r) 2 (~r) = 0.
c
It is known, and all calculations confirm this, that there is a discrepancy
between the time-dependent and the frequency-dependent solutions of the
wave equation in an active medium.
We add the hypothesis lim0 (~r) = 0 (~r), uniformly with respect
to ~r.
(i) Suppose the limit
= lim (, ~r) (, ~r)
0

2
c2

is a nonzero constant. Adding boundary conditions, we have a problem of

proper eigenvectors and eigenvalues of Laplacian:


(SS0 )
2 + 0 (~r) = 0.
The same problem appears if we assume that the permittivity and the permeability are piecewise constant.
(ii) If
2
lim (, ~r) (, ~r) 2 = 0,
0
c
we obtain the PDE (on the Riemannian manifold (R3 , g11 = g22 = g33 = 1))
(H)

2 0 (~r) = 0,

whose solutions are called steady-state solutions (harmonic functions). These

solutions represent the equilibrium wave distribution (they describes standing
waves that do not move at all).
(=) From harmonic functions to time waves (genesis of waves)
We start from the PDE (H) and we embed the Riemannian manifold
3
(R , g11 = g22 = g33 = 1) into the Lorenz manifold (R4 , g11 = g22 = g33 =
3

1, g44 = 1). The Riemannian Laplacian 2 is lifted to the Lorenz Lapla2

r) on R3 is extended
cian (DAlembertian) 2
 t
2 . The function 0 (~
to a function (~r), then to F (t, ~r) = (~r)eit , where F (t, ~r) on R4 is
solution of the PDE (W ). Consequently, starting from harmonic functions
(steady-state waves) and adding ingredients from differential geometry, we
create time waves.

2.1

Equivalence between PDE (SS) and frequency independent PDE (W), via Fourier transform

Suppose that the coefficients of the PDE (W ) depends only on ~r.

Let F (t, ~r) be a solution of Rthe equation (W ), which satisfies the condi
tions: (i) the improper integral |F (t, ~r)|dt is (uniformly) convergent and
(ii) lim|t| F (t, ~r) = 0. We use the time Fourier transform
Z

F (, ~r) =
F (t, ~r)eit dt, lim F (, ~r) = 0
||

and its inverse

1
F (t, ~r) =
2

F (, ~r)eit d.

The image function F (, ~r) verifies the PDE

2 +
 2 F (, ~r) = 0.
Conversely, for any solution F (, ~r) of this PDE, the inverse Fourier transform F (t, ~r) is solution of PDE (W ).

Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of

the Laplacian in a parallelepiped

In functional analysis one defines the spectrum of a linear operator T as the

set of all scalars for which the operator T I has no bounded inverse.
Thus the spectrum of an operator always contains all its eigenvalues, but is
not limited to them. When the eigenvectors are functions, the corresponding
eigenvalues are interpreted as energies of eigenfunctions.

In R2 , the Laplacian (Dirichlet) eigenvalues are the fundamental modes of

vibration of an idealized drum with a given shape. The problem of whether
one can hear the shape of a drum is: given the Laplacian eigenvalues, what
features of the shape of the drum can one deduce. Here a drum is thought
of as an elastic membrane, which is represented as a planar domain whose
boundary is fixed.
Let us explain what we understand by Laplacian eigenvalues and eigenvectors in a parallelepiped ([6]). In other words, we analyze the PDE
u(x, y, z) + u(x, y, z) = 0
on the parallelepiped
: 0 x a1 , 0 y a2 , 0 z a3 .
To understand this problem, we remark that for each natural number n,
the function
nx
un (x) = sin
a
satisfies the second order ODE
n2 2
un (x) = 0
a2
with the boundary condition un (0) = un (a) = 0. It follows that the functions
n2 y
n3 z
n1 x
sin
sin
, A = const
un1 n2 n3 (x, y, z) = A sin
a1
a2
a3
u00n (x) +

satisfy the PDE

u(x, y, z) + u(x, y, z) = 0, =

n21 n22 n23

+ 2+ 2
a21
a2
a3

and vanish on the boundary of the parallelepiped . In this way, the triple
sequence of functions un1 n2 n3 (x, y, z) are eigenvectors, and the numbers
 2

n1 n22 n23
2
n1 n2 n3 =
+ 2+ 2
a21
a2
a3
are eigenvalues for the Dirichlet problem attached to the Laplace operator
on the parallelepiped . The system un1 n2 n3 (x, y, z) is orthogonal in L2 ();
it is also orthonormal if we select
3
1
A = 22
.
a1 a2 a3
5

Moreover, our system is complete in L2 ().

Laplacian eigenfunctions appear as vibration modes in acoustics, as electron wave functions in quantum waveguides, as natural basis for constructing
heat kernels in the theory of diffusion, etc [Grebenkov].
In the foregoing theory (x, y, z) are variables and (a1 , a2 , a3 ) are parameters. Our aim is to interchange their role, in order to find qualitative properties of Laplacian eigenvalues and eigenvectors.
Proposition The eigenvalue n1 n2 n3 as function of a1 , a2 , a3 is a convex
one.
Proof The first order differential is

 2
n22
n23
n1
2
da1 + 3 da2 + 3 da3 .
dn1 n2 n3 = 2
a31
a2
a3
Then the second order differential

 2
n1 2 n22 2 n23 2
2
2
da +
da +
da
d n1 n2 n3 = 6
a41 1 a42 2 a43 3
is positive definite.
Proposition The Gauss curvature K of the constant level surface
n21 n22 n23
M : 2 + 2 + 2 =1
a1
a2
a3
verifies the condition dK4 (vol())4 = 9 n21 n22 n23 , where d is the distance from
the origin to the tangent plane to surface at a generic point.
Proof Let us compute the curvature of the surface M . We introduce the
P n2
function g = 3i=1 a2i and we use the (nonvanishing) normal vector field
i

X n2
1
i
Z = g =
U.
3 i
2
a
i=1 i
P
P n2 v
If V = 3i=1 vi Ui is a tangent vector field on M , then V Z = 3 3i=1 ai 4 i Ui .
i
Similar computations for
another
tangent
vector
field
W
,
and
using
the
poP3
sition vector field X = i=1 ai Ui , yield


n22
n23 
 n21

3

a32
a33 
 n2av11

2v
2v
n
n
2
2
3
1
Z (V Z W Z) =  3 a4
3 a4
3 a4 3 
2
3
2
2
 n21 w1 1

 3 a4 3 n2aw4 2 3 n3aw4 3 
1

n21 n22 n23

a41 a42 a43



 a1

a
a
2
3
2 2 2


 3v1 3v2 3v3  = 9 n1 n2 n3 X (V W ).


a41 a42 a43
 3w1 3w2 3w3 

Now we select V and W so that V W = Z. Then

X ni
= 1.
X (V W ) = X Z =
a2i
Applying the formula
K=

Z (V Z W Z)
,
||Z||4

we find

n21 n22 n23 1

a41 a42 a43 ||Z||4
(surface with negative Gauss curvature). On the other hand, we have




Z
= 1 .
d = |X N | = X
||Z||  ||Z||
K = 9

Constant proper value surfaces are really creations of nature, of the natural world of mathematical objects, which mathematicians just endeavor to
discover. Let us plot a constant proper value surface (algebraic surface, sextic, Figure 1)
> with(plots);
> implicitplot3d(y 2 z 2 +4x2 z 2 +9x2 y 2 = x2 y 2 z 2 , x = 10..10, y = 20..20,
z = 30..30)
In projection on R2 , now let us plot some curves that appear in kaleidoscopic variations of nodal lines on thin vibration plates used in the construction of musical instruments (Chladni figures, Figure 2).
> with(plots);
> implicitplot3d(y 2 + 4x2 = x2 y 2 , x = 10..10, y = 10..10)
Theorem: Let n1 , n2 , n3 be fixed integers. The minimum value of the
eigenvalue
n21 n22 n23
1
n n n = 2 + 2 + 2 ,
2 1 2 3
a1
a2
a3
at constant volume (Tzitzeica surface) a1 a2 a3 =
value is attained for the edge lengths
ai =

2ni
1

(n1 n2 n3 ) 3 A 3
7

23
,
A2

, i = 1, 2, 3.

is 34 (n1 n2 n3 ) 3 A 3 . This

Hint. AM-GM inequality.

Corollary: All eigenvalues kn1 ;kn2 ;kn3 , k N are minimized via the
previous theorem.
Consider two different parallelepipeds
a : 0 x a1 , 0 y a2 , 0 z a3 , a = (a1 , a2 , a3 ).
and
b : 0 x b1 , 0 y b2 , 0 z b3 , b = (b1 , b2 , b3 ).
Let n1 n2 n3 be the eigenvalues of the Laplacian on a and 0n1 n2 n3 be the
eigenvalues of the Laplacian on b .
Proposition (i) If a = (a1 , a2 , a3 ) < b = (b1 , b2 , b3 ), then n1 n2 n3 >
0n1 n2 n3 .
(ii) If n1 n2 n3 = 0n1 n2 n3 , (n1 , n2 , n3 ) N 3 (i.e., both domains are isospectral), then a = b .
(iii) For each triplet (n1 , n2 , n3 ) and n1 n2 n3 0n1 n2 n3 , there exists a
rotation R such that

 

n1 n2 n3
n1 n2 n3

RT .
, ,
, ,
a1 a2 a3
b1 b2 b3

Figure 1: Constant proper value surface

For a fixed point (x, y, z), the proper vector un1 n2 n3 may be consider as
function of (a1 , a2 , a3 ).
Proposition Let us consider the transformation (change of variables)
T :x=

1
1
1
,y = ,z = .
a1
a2
a3

(i) The surface T (M ) is an ellipsoid (Tzitzeica surface).

(ii) In the space of C 2 functions, the proper vectors are fixed points of the
transformation T .
(iii) The functions
(a1 , a2 , a3 ) un1 n2 n3 (x, y, z) = A sin

n1 x
n2 y
n3 z
sin
sin
, A = ct
a1
a2
a3

are orthogonal, with weight a2 a12 a2 , on the octant [x, ) [y, ) [z, ).
1 2 3
(iv) The transformation T changes the Laplacian (x,y,z) into the Laplacian
3
3
X
X
2u
u
(a1 ,a2 ,a3 ) =
a4i 2 + 2
a3i
.
a
a
i
i
i=1
i=1
9

Proof (ii) The ratios ax1 , ay2 , az3 are invariants of the transformation T .
(iii) The transformation T changes the parallelipiped = [0, a1 ][0, a2 ]
[0, a3 ] into [x, ) [y, ) [z, ). If J is the Jacobian matrix of the transformation T , then | det J| = a2 a12 a2 . On the other hand the correspondence
1 2 3
(x, y, z) un1 n2 n3 (x, y, z) is changed into (a1 , a2 , a3 ) un1 n2 n3 (x, y, z).
(iv) The Euclidean metric = I is changed into g = J t IJ, where J is the
Jacobian matrix of the transformation T . The nonzero components of the
new metric are gii = a14 , i = 1, 2, 3. We find g ii = a4i and the nonzero conneci
tion components iii = a2i , i = 1, 2, 3. On the other hand, the Laplacian is
defined by

 2
u
k u
ij
ij
.
u = g
ai aj
ak

Three-temporal optimal control problem;

least square technique

Let us formulate and solve a three-temporal optimal control problem with

pointwise state constraints:
1
min
f ()
2

(u(x, y, z) (x, y, z)) dxdydz +

2
a
2

f 2 (x, y, z) dxdydz

subject to
u(x, y, z) + u(x, y, z) = f (x, y, z)
10

Figure 2: Constant proper value curve

(x, y, z) a ; u(x, y, z) = 0 for (x, y, z) a .
To solve this problem we apply the three-time maximum principle via
second order constraints, with the control f and evolution variables (x, y, z).
For that, we introduce the Lagrangian

1
L = (u(x, y, z) (x, y, z))2 f 2 (x, y, z)
2
2
+p(x, y, z)(u(x, y, z) + u(x, y, z) f (x, y, z)).
The adjoint PDE is
u(x, y, z) (x, y, z) + p(x, y, z) = 0, p|a = 0.
On the other hand, the critical point condition gives p(x, y, z) = f (x, y, z).
Suppose > 0.

Fourier Transform

The wave PDE can be solved using the Fourier transform. First and foremost,
a Fourier transform of a signal tells you what frequencies are present in your
11

signal and in what proportions [1].

5.1

From spatial variable to momentum

Let x = (x1 , ..., xn ) be a spatial variable and = ( 1 , ..., n ) as momentum (a

frequency variable). The Fourier transform of f (x), x Rn is the function
Ff (), or f(), defined by
Z
e2i<x,> f (x)dx.
Ff () =
Rn

The inverse Fourier transform of a function g(), Rn is

Z
1
e2i<x,> g()d.
F g(x) =
Rn

The Fourier transform, or the inverse transform, of a real-valued function is

(in general) complex valued.

5.2

From (spatial variable, time) to (momentum, angular frequency)

Let (x, t) be the pair (spatial variable,time) and (, ) the pair (momentum,
angular frequency). The Fourier transform of f (x, t), x Rn , t R is the
function Ff (, ), or f(, ), defined by
Z Z
e2i(<x,>+t) f (x, t)dx dt.
Ff (, ) =
R

Rn

The inverse Fourier transform of a function g(, ), Rn , R is

Z Z
1
F g(x, t) =
e2i(<x,>+t) g(, )d d.
R

Rn

The Fourier transform, or the inverse transform, of a real-valued function is

(in general) complex valued.

12

Using the Fourier Transform to solve a

wave PDE

Let u(x; t) be the displacement from equilibrium of a string at position x

and time t. If the string is undergoing small amplitude transverse vibrations,
then
2
2u
2 u
(x,
t)
=
c
(x, t),
t2
x2
for a constant c. We are now going to solve this PDE by the well-known
method of Fourier transform. By multiplying both sides with eikx and integrating with respect to x, that is, taking the Fourier transform
Z
u(k; t) =
u(x, t)eikx dx,

with respect to the spatial variable x, we find a considerable simplification

2 u
(k; t) = c2 k 2 u(k; t).
t2
We now have, for each fixed k, a constant coefficient, homogeneous, second
order ordinary differential equation with the unknown u(k; t). The general
solution
ikct

u(k; t) = F (k)eikct + G(k)e

To recover u(x; t) we just need to take the inverse Fourier transform, finding
u(x; t) = F (x ct) + G(x + ct).
This is called the DAlembert form of the solution of the wave equation.

From entropy to Newton Law

Information theory is a branch of applied mathematics, electrical engineering, bio-informatics, and computer science involving the quantification of
information. A key measure of information is entropy, which is usually expressed by the average number of bits needed to store or communicate one
symbol in a message. Entropy quantifies the uncertainty involved in predicting the value of a random variable. Entropy is a measure of unpredictability
or information content.
13

E. Verlinde ([3] put forward one such idea which has taken the world
of physics by storm. It suggested that gravity is merely a manifestation of
entropy in the Universe (see Fig. 3, a sphere around a black-hole). His
idea is based on the second law of thermodynamics, that entropy always
increases over time. It suggests that differences in entropy between parts
of the Universe generates a force that redistributes matter in a way that
maximizes entropy. This is the force we call gravity (see also, [5]).
Let us explain how the entropy S determines the Newton Law F = ma.
Postulate 1: The change S of the entropy S, associated to the information on the boundary, satisfies the equality
|S| = 2kB ,
when
||x||

~
.
mc

Postulate 2: The change in entropy near the screen is linear in the

displacement x, i.e.,
S = 2kB

mc
< e, x >,
~

where e is a versor of acceleration type.

It follows that maximum of the entropy is attained on boundary,
|S| 2kB .

14

Figure 3: Gravity Emerges from Quantum Information

Postulate 3: When a particle has an entropic reason to be on one side of
the membrane and the membrane carries a temperature T , it will experience
an effective force (entropic force) F such that
< F, x >= T S.
Postulate 4: The acceleration a and the temperature T are related by
kB T e =

1 ~
a.
2 c

Combining the previous postulates, it follows the Newton Law (vectorial

equation)
F = ma.

Informational Approach of
Newton Law of Gravity

From entropy, energy and temperature we obtain the Newton Law of masses
since changes in the amount of information, measured by entropy, can lead to
a force. The informational origin of gravity is justified adding the following
Postulates:
Postulate 5: The number N of bits is proportional to the area A, i.e.,
N=

Ac3
,
G~

15

where G is a new constant (Newton constant).

Postulate 6: The total energy E, the number N of bits and the temperature T are related by
1
E = N kB T.
2
Approximation The mass m from the Einstein formula E = mc2 is
connected to the Newton mass m0 by
m0
m= q
1

.
v2
c2

Since v  c, we approximate m ' m0 .

To find the Newton law of attraction, we insert area of the sphere
A = 4R2 .
It follows

1 Ac3
1
N kB T, mc2 =
kB T
2
2 G~
1 Ac
2R2 c
m=
kB T, m =
kB T
2 G~
G~
2ckB T
Mm
= M ||a|| = F.
G 2 =M
R
~
Consequently, we find the Newton law of attraction (scalar equation)
mc2 =

F =G

Mm
.
R2

Inertia and Newton Potential

Since each bit carries an energy 12 kB T , the number n of bits is obtained from
the relation
1
mc2 = nkB T.
2
As a consequence we find the variation of the entropy,
S
< a, x >
= kB
.
n
2c2
16

Principle: Inertia is a consequence of the fact that a particle in rest will

stay in rest because there are no entropy gradients.
Now, introducing a Newton potential , we write the acceleration vector
as a gradient
a = .
Since =< , x >, we find

S
= kB 2 .
n
2c
Acknowledgements We thank Prof. Dr. Ionel Tevy for stimulating
conversations as well as the manuscripts anonymous reviewers for constructive comments. Partially supported by University Politehnica of Bucharest,
by UNESCO Chair in Geodynamics, Sabba S. Stefanescu Institute of Geodynamics, Romanian Academy and by Academy of Romanian Scientists.

References
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Schrodinger equation with energy-dependent complex potential, INTERNET, 2013.
[3] E. Verlinde, On the origin of gravity and laws of Newton, JHEP04(2011)
029.
[4] T. E. Bearden, Extracting and using electromagnetic energy from the
active vacuum, CEO, CTEC, Inc.
[5] J.-W. Lee, H.-C. Kim, J. Lee, Gravity from Quantum Information,
arXiv:1001.5445v3 [hep-th] 13 Apr 2013.
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17

[8] A. Henrot, E. Oudet, Minimizing the second eigenvalue of the Laplace

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