Characterization of some causality conditions through the continuity of the Lorentzian distance

Abstract

A classical result in Lorentzian geometry states that a strongly causal spacetime is globally hyperbolic if and only if the Lorentzian distance is finite valued for every metric choice in the conformal class. It is proven here that a non-total imprisoning spacetime is globally hyperbolic if and only if for every metric choice in the conformal class the Lorentzian distance is continuous. Moreover, it is proven that a non-total imprisoning spacetime is causally simple if and only if for every metric choice in the conformal class the Lorentzian distance is continuous wherever it vanishes. Finally, a strongly causal spacetime is causally continuous if and only if there is at least one metric in the conformal class such that the Lorentzian distance is continuous wherever it vanishes.

14 pages, 2 figure. v2: Added material on global hyperbolicity. The title has changed. Previous title: Characterization of causal simplicity and causal continuity through the continuity of the Lorentzian distance. v3: Some misprints fixed. Final version