# Warp drive aerodynamics

DOI:
10.1007/JHEP08(2022)288
Publication date:
08/08/2022
Main author:
Barceló, Carlos
IAA authors:
Barceló, Carlos
Authors:
Barceló, Carlos;Boyanov, Valentin;Garay, Luis J.;Martín-Martínez, Eduardo;Sánchez Velázquez, Jose M.
Journal:
Journal of High Energy Physics
Refereed:
Yes
Publication type:
Article
Volume:
2022
Pages:
288
Abstract:
In this work we analyse the potential for a warp drive spacetime to develop instabilities due to the presence of quantum matter. Particularly, we look for points of infinite blueshift (which are analogous to points of a black hole inner horizon, known for its semiclassical instability), and categorise them through the behaviour of geodesics in their vicinity. We find that warp-drive bubbles in dimension 2+1 or higher are in fact likely to be stable, as they generally contain only isolated points where divergences are approached, leading to a finite limit for the overall accumulation of destabilising energy. Furthermore, any semiclassical instabilities in the warp drive due to energy-density buildups can be further diminished with particular, more "aerodynamic" shapes and trajectories for the drive.
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