arXiv subjects

G. Dautcourt

Publications and source records attributed to G. Dautcourt.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Null hypersurfaces in general relativity: Intrinsic symmetries and differential invariants

This paper investigates intrinsic Killing symmetries of null hypersurfaces $\mathcal{N}_3$ within the framework of general relativity. To this end we consider $\mathcal{N}_3$ as detached from the embedding spacetime and equipped with a degenerate metric of signature (0,+,+). As geometrical tools we use a triad calculus and differential invariants. Extending prior work, we present a classification of null hypersurfaces according to groups of motion up to the fourth order. For each type certain normal forms of the metric are given, and their invariants are listed. A discussion of horizons - defined as null hypersurfaces with vanishing shear and divergence - is included.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

Vacuum gravitational fields with a null Killing vector

Vacuum gravitational fields admitting a light-like Killing field were systematically studied starting around 1960. Besides the already known plane waves, a second class of gravitational wave fields was found. In contrast to plane waves, their wave surfaces were not flat, but had a negative Gaussian curvature. Recently, such solutions found attention again as "twisted gravitational waves". In the paper we review and extend the earlier results. In suitable coordinates, the metric assumes a simple shape. The waves are then determined by a single function that satisfies a Laplace equation in cylindrical coordinates. The "twisted waves" prove to be a special case.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2010

The lightcone of Gödel-like spacetimes

A study of the lightcone of the Gödel universe is extended to the so-called Gödel-like spacetimes. This family of highly symmetric 4-D Lorentzian spaces is defined by metrics of the form $ds^2=-(dt+H(x)dy)^2+D^2(x)dy^2+dx^2+dz^2$, together with the requirement of spacetime homogeneity, and includes the Gödel metric. The quasi-periodic refocussing of cone generators with startling lens properties, discovered by Ozsváth and Schücking for the lightcone of a plane gravitational wave and also found in the Gödel universe, is a feature of the whole Gödel family. We discuss geometrical properties of caustics and show that (a) the focal surfaces are two-dimensional null surfaces generated by non-geodesic null curves and (b) intrinsic differential invariants of the cone attain finite values at caustic subsets.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2008

Race for the Kerr field

Roy P. Kerr has discovered his celebrated metric 45 years ago, yet the problem to find a generalization of the Schwarzschild metric for a rotating mass was faced much earlier. Lense and Thirring, Bach, Andress, Akeley, Lewis, van Stockum and others have tried to solve it or to find an approximative solution at least. In particular Achilles Papapetrou, from 1952 to 1961 in Berlin, was interested in an exact solution. He directed the author in the late autumn of 1959 to work on the problem. Why did these pre-Kerr attempts fail? Comments based on personal reminiscences and old notes.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2005

Revisiting the Light Cone of the Goedel Universe

The structure of a light cone in the Goedel universe is studied. We derive the intrinsic cone metric, calculate the rotation coefficients of the ray congruence forming the cone, determine local differential invariants up to second order, describe the crossover (keel) singularities and give a first discussion of its focal points. Contrary to many rotation coefficients, some inner differential invariants attain simple finite standard values at focal singularities.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1999

Detecting large-scale deviations from a FRW geometry with future CMB observations

We discuss the question to what degree the geometrical structure and the matter content of the universe at scales exceeding the present Hubble horizon is constrained by cosmological observations, in particular by measurements of the cosmic microwave background radiation. For an answer, a simple formalism is described, which goes back to a paper by Kristian and Sachs in 1966.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

Classical back reaction of low-frequency cosmic gravitational radiation

We study in a Brill-Hartle type of approximation the back reaction of a superposition of linear gravitational waves on the mean gravitational field up to second order in the wave amplitudes. The background field is taken as an Einstein-deSitter geometry. In order to follow inflationary scenarios, the wavelengths are allowed to exceed the temporary Hubble distance. As in optical coherence theory, the wave amplitudes are considered as random variables, which form a homogeneous and isotropic stochastic process, sharing the symmetries of the background metric. The effective stress-energy tensor for the random waves is calculated in terms of correlation functions and covers subhorizon as well as superhorizon modes, the latter give in many cases negative contributions to energy density and pressure. We discuss solutions of the second-order equations including pure gravitational radiation universes.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1998

On the Ultrarelativistic Limit of General Relativity

As is well-known, Newton's gravitational theory can be formulated as a four-dimensional space-time theory and follows as singular limit from Einstein's theory, if the velocity of light tends to the infinity. Here 'singular' stands for the fact, that the limiting geometrical structure differs from a regular Riemannian space-time. Geometrically, the transition Einstein to Newton can be viewed as an 'opening' of the light cones. This picture suggests that there might be other singular limits of Einstein's theory: Let all light cones shrink and ultimately become part of a congruence of singular world lines. The limiting structure may be considered as a nullhypersurface embedded in a five-dimensional spacetime. While the velocity of light tends to zero here, all other velocities tend to the velocity of light. Thus one may speak of an ultrarelativistic limit of General Relativity. The resulting theory is as simple as Newton's gravitational theory, with the basic difference, that Newton's elliptic differential equation is replaced by essentially ordinary differential equations, with derivatives tangent to the generators of the singular congruence. The Galilei group is replaced by the Carroll group introduced by Lévy-Leblond. We suggest to study near ultrarelativistic situations with a perturbational approach starting from the singular structure, similar to post-Newtonian expansions in the $c \to \infty$ case.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1997

Self-consistent solutions for low-frequency gravitational background radiation

We study in a Brill-Hartle type of approximation the back-reaction of a superposition of linear gravitational waves in an Einstein-de Sitter background up to the second order in the small wave amplitudes $h_{ik}$. The wave amplitudes are assumed to form a homogeneous and isotropic stochastic process. No restriction for the wavelengths is assumed. The effective stress-energy tensor $T^{e}_{μν}$ is calculated in terms of the correlation functions of the process. We discuss in particular a situation where $T^{e}_{μν}$ is the dominant excitation of the background metric. Apart from the Tolman radiation universe, a solution with the scale factor of the de Sitter universe exists with $p = -ρ$ as effective equation of state.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1996

Post-Newtonian extension of the Newton-Cartan theory

The theory obtained as a singular limit of General Relativity, if the reciprocal velocity of light is assumed to tend to zero, is known to be not exactly the Newton-Cartan theory, but a slight extension of this theory. It involves not only a Coriolis force field, which is natural in this theory (although not original Newtonian), but also a scalar field which governs the relation between Newtons time and relativistic proper time. Both fields are or can be reduced to harmonic functions, and must therefore be constants, if suitable global conditions are imposed. We assume this reduction of Newton-Cartan to Newton`s original theory as starting point and ask for a consistent post-Newtonian extension and for possible differences to usual post-Minkowskian approximation methods, as developed, for example, by Chandrasekhar. It is shown, that both post-Newtonian frameworks are formally equivalent, as far as the field equations and the equations of motion for a hydrodynamical fluid are concerned.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1996

Cosmological PPN Formalism and Non-Machian Gravitational Theories

By turning to a differential formulation, the post-Newtonian description of metric gravitational theories (PPN formalism) has been extended to include cosmological boundary conditions. The dimensionless expansion parameter is the ratio distance $L$ (measured from the center of a selected space region) to Hubble distance $c/H_0$. The aim was to explore the significance and applicability of a Newtonian cosmology and to clarify to some extent its relation to general-relativistic cosmology. It turns out that up to post-Newtonian order two classes of gravitational theories can be distinguished, here called Machian and non-Machian. In a non-Machian theory like General Relativity the dynamics of cosmic objects within a space region $L \ll c/H_0 $ is described by the usual PPN metric set up for the objects, without introducing time-dependent Newtonian potentials at the origin of the PPN coordinate system. Such potentials of obviously cosmological origin seem to be required for the majority of (by our definition) Machian gravitational theories (including, e.g., Brans-Dicke). Conditions for a theory to be Machian or non-Machian are given in terms of algebraic relations for the PPN parameters.

gr-qc↗