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On the role of a limiting velocity in constructive spacetime axiomatics
Author(s) -
Schelb U.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
annalen der physik
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1521-3889
pISSN - 0003-3804
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1521-3889(199812)7:7/8<748::aid-andp748>3.0.co;2-9
Subject(s) - superluminal motion , spacetime , causality (physics) , causal sets , stationary spacetime , physics , limiting , causal structure , theoretical physics , constructive , classical mechanics , background independence , quantum field theory in curved spacetime , computer science , quantum mechanics , quantum gravity , quantum , mechanical engineering , process (computing) , engineering , operating system
The issue of superluminal velocities is looked at from the point of view of a spacetime axiomatics. Such theories construct the relativistic spacetime picture from simple, empirically based postulates. One important task is the convincing introduction of coordinates in spacetime, to which end “radar coordinates” are used. For this the existence of a finite limiting velocity of signals is absolutely necessary, but it may be superluminal without producing conflicts with causality on this level.