On the fundamental groups of space-times in general relativity

It is shown that there are upper bounds on the first and second betti numbers of compact space-times or space-times with Cauchy surfaces whose fundamental groups are abelian. Homological classifications of compact space-times and space-times with compact Cauchy surfaces are given.     

Spherically symmetric space-times transparent to scalar multipole waves

Using nonscattering potentials of Chang and Janis, a large class of spherically symmetric space-times is constructed on which all multipole solutions to the minimally coupled scalar wave equation are expressible in terms of characteristic data functions in essentially as simple a fashion as for flat space-time. The space-times are transparent to multipole waves in the same sense that flat space-time is. Both conformally flat and not conformally flat space-times are obtained. Some examples are discussed which show that the variety of transparent space-times is large even within the class of Robertson-Walker spaces.     

Conformal Killing vectors and FRW spacetimes

Fluid space-times which admit a conformal Killing vector (CKV) are studied. It is shown that even in a perfect fluid space-time a conformal motion will not, in general, map the fluid flow lines onto fluid flow lines; consequently, perfect fluid space-times and, in particular, the simplest perfect fluid space-times known to admit a CKV, namely the Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) space-times, are studied. A direct proof that there do not exist any special CKV in FRW space-times will be given, thereby motivating the study of the physically more relevant proper CKV. Indeed, one of the principal motivations of the present work is the study of the symmetry inheritance problem for proper CKV. Since the FRW metric can, in general, satisfy the Einstein field equations for a non-comoving imperfect fluid, the relationship between the FRW models (and in particular the standard comoving perfect fluid models) and the conditions under which conformal motions (and in addition homothetic motions) map fluid flow lines onto fluid flow lines are investigated. Finally, further properties of fluid space-times which admit a proper CKV, and in particular space-times in which the CKV is parallel to the fluid four-velocity, are discussed.     

Ghost neutrinos as test fields in curved space-time

Without restricting to empty space-times, it is shown that ghost neutrinos (their energy-momentum tensor vanishes) can only be found in algebraically special space-times with a neutrino flux vector parallel to one of the principal null vectors of the conformal tensor. The optical properties are studied. There are no ghost neutrinos in the Kerr-Newman and in spherically symmetric space-times. The example of a non-vacuum gravitational pp-wave accompagnied by a ghost neutrino pp-wave is discussed.     

Grand Canonical Ensembles in General Relativity

We develop a formalism for general relativistic, grand canonical ensembles in space-times with timelike Killing fields. Using that, we derive ideal gas laws, and show how they depend on the geometry of the particular space-times. A systematic method for calculating Newtonian limits is given for a class of these space-times, which is illustrated for Kerr space-time. In addition, we prove uniqueness of the infinite volume Gibbs measure, and absence of phase transitions for a class of interaction potentials in anti-de Sitter space.     

Neutrino radiation fields in general relativity

All space-times admitting a neutrino radiation field are obtained. Three classes of such space-times exist, characterised by the Weyl tensor being of type D, N (or O) or III.     

Some dynamical properties of Einstein space-times admitting a Gaussian foliation

We investigate the behavior of curves in the space of Riemannian metrics which corresponds to Einstein space-times admitting a Gaussian foliation. Different types of variational principles are formulated and some global dynamical properties of these space-times are obtained.Alexander-von-Humboldt-Fellow.     

Construction of Hadamard States by Pseudo-Differential Calculus

We give a new construction based on pseudo-differential calculus of quasi-free Hadamard states for Klein–Gordon equations on a class of space-times whose metric is well-behaved at spatial infinity. In particular on this class of space-times, we construct all pure Hadamard states whose two-point function (expressed in terms of Cauchy data on a Cauchy surface) is a matrix of pseudo-differential operators. We also study their covariance under symplectic transformations. As an aside, we give a new construction of Hadamard states on arbitrary globally hyperbolic space-times which is an alternative to the classical construction by Fulling, Narcowich and Wald.     

Master equation for some gauge invariant gravitational perturbations

Gerlach and Sengupta derived a master equation for arbitrary odd-parity gravitational perturbations of spherically symmetrical space-times. In this paper we show that for radiative purely gravitational perturbations of Robertson-Walker space-times the same equation governs the evenparity perturbations as well.     

Simply-transitive homothety groups

In this paper the spin-coefficient formalism of Penrose and Rindler is applied to the problem of finding space-times that admit a simply-transitive group of homotheties. The method is illustrated by an application to algebraically special vacuum space-times. Vacuum metrics with a fivedimensional homothety group are also considered.     

Characterization of locally rotationally symmetric space-times

We give a simple characterization of locally rotationally symmetric space-times in terms of the existence of a canonical null tetrad or canonical orthonormal tetrad. The result is applied to space-times which satisfy the Einstein field equations with a perfect fluid or electromagnetic field as source.     

An Entropy Functional for Riemann-Cartan Space-Times

By viewing space-time as a continuum elastic medium and introducing an entropy functional for its elastic deformations, T. Padmanabhan has shown that general relativity emerges from varying the functional and that the latter suggests holography for gravity and yields the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy formula. In this paper we extend this idea to Riemann-Cartan space-times by constructing an entropy functional for the elastic deformations of space-times with torsion. We show that varying this generalized entropy functional permits to recover the full set of field equations of the Cartan-Sciama-Kibble theory. Our generalized functional shows that the contributions to the on-shell entropy of a bulk region in Riemann-Cartan space-times come from the boundary as well as the bulk and hence does not suggest that holography would also apply for gravity with spin in space-times with torsion. It is nevertheless shown that for the specific cases of Dirac fields and spin fluids the system does become holographic. The entropy of a black hole with spin is evaluated and found to be in agreement with Bekenstein-Hawking formula.     

On certain timelike symmetry properties and the evolution of matter field space-times that admit them

This paper treats matter field space-times admitting timelike conformai motions and timelike members of the family of contracted Ricci collineations (FCRC). The physical properties of these timelike symmetries in relation to the time development of relativistic matter field space-times are developed in terms of a number of specific theorems. Insofar as possible, the similarities and differences of the timelike conformal motions and the FCRC are discussed in some detail. Special applications are given that illustrate the possible value of the present considerations and related conservation expressions in relation to the Cauchy problem of matter field space-times admitting timelike symmetry properties.     

Relation between quasirigidity andL-rigidity in space-times of constant curvature and weak fields

The relation between quasirigidity andL-rigidity in space-times of constant nonzero curvature and in space-times with small curvature (weak fields) is studied. The covariant expansion of bitensors about a point is considered. We obtain an increase in the order of magnitude, underL-rigidity conditions, of the rate of change with respect to a comoving orthonormal frame of the linear momentum, angular momentum, and reduced multipole moments of the energy-momentum tensor. Thus,L-rigidity leads to quasirigidity in such space-times.     

Stationary vacuum fields with a conformally flat three-space. III. Complete solution

It is shown that stationary vacuum space-times having a conformally flat 3-space are always characterized by a functional relationship between the real and imaginary parts of the Ernst potential. This result is based on a new formulation of Einstein's equation, and it completes the investigation of vacuum space-times with conformally flat spaces.     

Conformally flat space-times of locally constant connection. I

Conformally flat space-times of locally constant connection are studied. The constant connection defines a global vector field which is assumed timelike. The general solution of the geodesic equations is presented and several theorems characterizing the geometry of such space-times are proved.     

Ricci recurrent space-times with torsion

A Ricci recurrent space-time with covariantly constant stress tensor is an Einstein space-time. We extend this result to Ricci recurrent space-times with torsion. The result is applied to the case of Riemann-Cartan space-times with spin density.