On Types of Observables in Constrained Theories

Abstract

The Kuchar observables notion is shown to apply only to a limited range of theories. Relational mechanics, slightly inhomogeneous cosmology and supergravity are used as examples that require further notions of observables. A suitably general notion of A-observables is then given to cover all of these cases. `A' here stands for `algebraic substructure'; A-observables can be defined by association with each closed algebraic substructure of a theory's constraints. Both constrained algebraic structures and associated notions of A-observables form bounded lattices.

12 pages, including 5 figures

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• Constraints and gauge transformations: Dirac's theorem is not always valid
• Problem of Time and Background Independence: the Individual Facets
• Explicit partial and functional differential equations for beables or observables
• Configuration Spaces in Fundamental Physics
• Covariance and Time Regained in Canonical General Relativity
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