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An interpretation of Robinson-Trautman type N solutions

J. B. Griffiths·J. Podolsky·P. Docherty
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Abstract

The Robinson-Trautman type N solutions, which describe expanding gravitational waves, are investigated for all possible values of the cosmological constant Lambda and the curvature parameter epsilon. The wave surfaces are always (hemi-)spherical, with successive surfaces displaced in a way which depends on epsilon. Explicit sandwich waves of this class are studied in Minkowski, de Sitter or anti-de Sitter backgrounds. A particular family of such solutions which can be used to represent snapping or decaying cosmic strings is considered in detail, and its singularity and global structure is presented.

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J. B. Griffiths, J. Podolsky, P. Docherty. 2002-08-08. An interpretation of Robinson-Trautman type N solutions. https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381%2F19%2F18%2F302

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