Alcubierre warp drive

1. History

2. Topology

The Alcubierre warp drive spacetime has the topology $\mathbb{R^n}$.

3. Metrics and coordinates

Alcubierre coordinates

The original coordinates of the Alcubierre metric are taken from the point of view off an observer outside the bubble.

$$ds^2 = -dt^2 + (dx - v_s(t) f(r_s)) + dy^2 + dz^2$$

With some curve $x_s(t)$, which defines the following :

$$v_s(t) = \frac{dx_s(t)}{dt}$$ $$r_s(t) = [(x - x_s(t))^2 + y^2 + z^2]^{\frac 12}$$

Hiscock coordinates

$$ds^2 = -A(r) (dt - \frac{v_0 (1 - f(r))}{A(r)} dr)^2 + \frac{dr^2}A(r){}$$

4. Tensor quantities

5. Symmetries

6. Stress-energy tensor

7. Curves

8. Equations

9. Causal structure

The Alcubierre warp drive is globally hyperbolic and does not have any singularities.

10. Asymptotic structure

11. Energy conditions

12. Limits and related spacetimes

13. Misc.

Bibliography