Classification of the Weyl tensor in higher dimensions and applications (original) (raw)

Algebraic Classification of the Weyl Tensor

Alignment classification of tensors on Lorentzian manifolds of arbitrary dimension is summarized. This classification scheme is then applied to the case of the Weyl tensor and it is shown that in four dimensions it is equivalent to the well known Petrov classification. The approaches using Bel-Debever criteria and principal null directions of the superenergy tensor are also discussed.

Refinements of the Weyl tensor classification in five dimensions

Classical and Quantum Gravity, 2012

We refine the null alignment classification of the Weyl tensor of a five-dimensional spacetime. The paper focusses on the algebraically special alignment types N, III, II and D, while types I and G are briefly discussed. A first refinement is provided by the notion of spin type of the components of highest boost weight. Second, we analyze the Segre types of the Weyl operator acting on bivector space and examine the intersection with the spin type classification. We present a full treatment for types N and III, and illustrate the classification from different viewpoints (Segre type, rank, spin type) for types II and D, paying particular attention to possible nilpotence, which is a new feature of higher dimensions. We also point out other essential differences with the four-dimensional case. In passing, we exemplify the refined classification by mentioning the special subtypes associated to certain important spacetimes, such as Myers-Perry black holes, black strings, Robinson-Trautman spacetimes, and purely electric/magnetic type D spacetimes.

Higher dimensional bivectors and classification of the Weyl operator

Classical and Quantum Gravity, 2009

We develop the bivector formalism in higher dimensional Lorentzian spacetimes. We define the Weyl bivector operator in a manner consistent with its boost-weight decomposition. We then algebraically classify the Weyl tensor, which gives rise to a refinement in dimensions higher than four of the usual alignment (boost-weight) classification, in terms of the irreducible representations of the spins. We are consequently able to define a number of new algebraically special cases. In particular, the classification in five dimensions is discussed in some detail. In addition, utilizing the (refined) algebraic classification, we are able to prove some interesting results when the Weyl tensor has (additional) symmetries.

ALIGNMENT AND ALGEBRAICALLY SPECIAL TENSORS IN LORENTZIAN GEOMETRY

International Journal of Geometric Methods in Modern Physics, 2005

We develop a dimension-independent theory of alignment in Lorentzian geometry, and apply it to the tensor classification problem for the Weyl and Ricci tensors. First, we show that the alignment condition is equivalent to the PND equation. In 4D, this recovers the usual Petrov types. For higher dimensions, we prove that, in general, a Weyl tensor does not possess aligned directions. We then go on to describe a number of additional algebraic types for the various alignment configurations. For the case of second-order symmetric (Ricci) tensors, we perform the classification by considering the geometric properties of the corresponding alignment variety.

Algebraic classification of higher dimensional spacetimes based on null alignment

Classical and Quantum Gravity, 2013

We review recent developments and applications of the classification of the Weyl tensor in higher dimensional Lorentzian geometries. First, we discuss the general setup, i.e. main definitions and methods for the classification, some refinements and the generalized Newman-Penrose and Geroch-Held-Penrose formalisms. Next, we summarize general results, such as a partial extension of the Goldberg-Sachs theorem, characterization of spacetimes with vanishing (or constant) curvature invariants and the peeling behaviour in asymptotically flat spacetimes. Finally, we discuss certain invariantly defined families of metrics and their relation with the Weyl tensor classification, including: Kundt and Robinson-Trautman spacetimes; the Kerr-Schild ansatz in a constant-curvature background; purely electric and purely magnetic spacetimes; direct and (some) warped products; and geometries with certain symmetries. To conclude, some applications to quadratic gravity are also overviewed.

Electric and Magnetic Weyl Tensors in Higher Dimensions

Springer Proceedings in Physics, 2014

Recent results on purely electric (PE) or magnetic (PM) spacetimes in n dimensions are summarized. These include: Weyl types; diagonalizability; conditions under which direct (or warped) products are PE/PM.

Weyl compatible tensors

International Journal of Geometric Methods in Modern Physics, 2014

We introduce the new algebraic property of Weyl compatibility for symmetric tensors and vectors. It is strictly related to Riemann compatibility, which generalizes the Codazzi condition while preserving much of its geometric implications. In particular, it is shown that the existence of a Weyl compatible vector implies that the Weyl tensor is algebraically special, and it is a necessary and sufficient condition for the magnetic part to vanish. Some theorems (Derdziński and Shen [11], Hall [15]) are extended to the broader hypothesis of Weyl or Riemann compatibility. Weyl compatibility includes conditions that were investigated in the literature of general relativity (as in McIntosh et al. [16, 17]). A simple example of Weyl compatible tensor is the Ricci tensor of an hypersurface in a manifold with constant curvature.

Spacetimes of Weyl and Ricci type N in higher dimensions

Classical and Quantum Gravity, 2016

We study the geometrical properties of null congruences generated by an aligned null direction of the Weyl tensor (WAND) in spacetimes of the Weyl and Ricci type N (possibly with a non-vanishing cosmological constant) in an arbitrary dimension. We prove that a type N Ricci tensor and a type III or N Weyl tensor have to be aligned. In such spacetimes, the multiple WAND has to be geodetic. For spacetimes with type N aligned Weyl and Ricci tensors, the canonical form of the optical matrix in the twisting and non-twisting case is derived and the dependence of the Weyl and the Ricci tensors and Ricci rotation coefficients on the affine parameter of the geodetic null congruence generated by the WAND is obtained.

On Algebraic Computations of Electric and Magnetic Parts of the Weyl Tensor

Electromagnetic field theory is an established theory and the characteristic of electric and magnetic fields are well understood. Motivated by electromagnetic field theory, the Weyl tensor which represents pure gravitational field in general relativity, is decomposed into electric and magnetic part. The analysis of electric and magnetic parts of the Weyl tensor becomes important to understand gravitational field it represents. The computations in general relativity are known to be complicated as the tensors involved are up to rank-4; and they are obtained using second order partial derivatives of metric tensor and their combinations. This task can be handled efficiently by computers. The present paper describes a Mathematica program written for the computations of electric and magnetic parts of the Weyl Tensor. Index Terms—General relativity, electric and magnetic parts of the Weyl tensor, algebraic computations.