Effective speed approach for modified scalar field propagation

Abstract

We study the propagation of a constant-speed Gaussian scalar field wave packet (GWP) in Minkowski space, showing that the energy conditions are violated for superluminal speeds. We then apply the effective speed approach to the GWP propagation, deriving the corresponding effective metric, effective Lagrangian and effective stress-energy tensor, and test the energy conditions defined in terms of the effective metric. We study the nature of the effective source driving the speed modification, and find that it corresponds to a perfect fluid with negative equation of state.

13 pages, 4 figs