Muzikayise E. Sikhonde

arXiv2026

Scalar Laplace-Beltrami harmonics and curvature-induced radial mode mixing in Friedmann-like cosmologies

We develop a harmonic framework for spherically symmetric Friedmann-like geometries with constant scalar curvature but non-zero trace-free Ricci curvature. This preserves Friedmann-type isotropic expansion while introducing a radially varying tidal field and supporting anisotropic stress. We formulate the scalar Laplace-Beltrami operator as a Sturm-Liouville problem and establish its self-adjoint domains and regularity at minimal spheres. Robertson-Walker harmonics are recovered in the maximally symmetric limit. Trace-free curvature terms are expressed as spectral projection kernels. Rotational symmetry preserves angular labels and parity, while the tidal profile couples different radial eigenmodes. A finite-shell calculation displays this off-diagonal structure, verifies consistency between radial representations, and confirms the expected weak-field scaling. A minimally coupled scalar field remains diagonal in the exact basis, indicating operator-dependent mixing rather than mixing solely due to inhomogeneity. We formulate transverse-traceless kernels, whose dynamical application requires a specified model for the supporting anisotropic matter. This converts curvature-induced mode mixing into a spectral problem for perturbations beyond maximally symmetric cosmologies.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Reviving The Shear-Free Perfect Fluid Conjecture In General Relativity

Employing a Mathematica symbolic computer algebra package called xTensor, we present $(1+3)$-covariant special case proofs of the shear-free perfect fluid conjecture in General Relativity. We first present the case where the pressure is constant, and where the acceleration is parallel to the vorticity vector. These cases were first presented in their covariant form by Senovilla et. al. We then provide a covariant proof for the case where the acceleration and vorticity vectors are orthogonal, which leads to the existence of a Killing vector along the vorticity. This Killing vector satisfies the new constraint equations resulting from the vanishing of the shear. Furthermore, it is shown that in order for the conjecture to be true, this Killing vector must have a vanishing spatially projected directional covariant derivative along the velocity vector field. This in turn implies the existence of another \textit{basic} vector field along the direction of the vorticity for the conjecture to hold. Finally, we show that in general, there exist a \textit{basic} vector field parallel to the acceleration for which the conjecture is true.

gr-qc↗