Remarks on antichains in the causality order of space-time

Abstract

The two closely related Lorentz-invariant partial orders of space-time are distinguished with respect to the existence of antichain cutsets and the possibility of grading. World lines of particles with or without mass are the maximal chains in the causality order of space-time, and antichain cutsets are the levels of the various gradings of the causality partial order. The maximal chains of the weaker, subluminal causality order need not be connected topologically, subluminal causality has no antichain cutsets and cannot be graded. Combinatorial characterizations of optical lines and hyperplanes, separation lines, inertia planes and lines, ultimately in terms of the causality order yield a simple proof of the Alexandrov-Zeeman Theorem.