Conformally covariant systems of wave equations and their equivalence to Einstein's field equations

Author(s)
Tim-Torben Paetz
Abstract

We derive, in 3 + 1 spacetime dimensions, two alternative systems of quasi-linear wave equations, based on Friedrich’s conformal field equations. We analyse their equivalence to Einstein’s vacuum field equations when appropriate constraint equations are satisfied by the initial data. As an application, the characteristic initial value problem for the Einstein equations with data on past null infinity is reduced to a characteristic initial value problem for wave equations with data on an ordinary light-cone.

Organisation(s)
Gravitational Physics
Journal
Annales Henri Poincare
Volume
16
Pages
2059-2129
No. of pages
71
ISSN
1424-0637
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00023-014-0359-8
Publication date
09-2014
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103028 Theory of relativity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Statistical and Nonlinear Physics, Mathematical Physics
Portal url
https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/conformally-covariant-systems-of-wave-equations-and-their-equivalence-to-einsteins-field-equations(6191cfb7-26c3-442a-bd7f-c32e31a18f26).html