Classification of Generalized Symmetries for the Vacuum Einstein Equations

dc.creatorAnderson, I. M.
dc.creatorTorre, C. G.
dc.date1994-04-14
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T11:46:22Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T11:46:22Z
dc.descriptionA generalized symmetry of a system of differential equations is an infinitesimal transformation depending locally upon the fields and their derivatives which carries solutions to solutions. We classify all generalized symmetries of the vacuum Einstein equations in four spacetime dimensions. To begin, we analyze symmetries that can be built from the metric, curvature, and covariant derivatives of the curvature to any order; these are called natural symmetries and are globally defined on any spacetime manifold. We next classify first-order generalized symmetries, that is, symmetries that depend on the metric and its first derivatives. Finally, using results from the classification of natural symmetries, we reduce the classification of all higher-order generalized symmetries to the first-order case. In each case we find that the generalized symmetries are infinitesimal generalized diffeomorphisms and constant metric scalings. There are no non-trivial conservation laws associated with these symmetries. A novel feature of our analysis is the use of a fundamental set of spinorial coordinates on the infinite jet space of Ricci-flat metrics, which are derived from Penrose's ``exact set of fields'' for the vacuum equations.
dc.description57 pages, plain TeX
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/9404030
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/gr-qc/9404030
dc.identifierCommun.Math.Phys.176:479-539,1996
dc.identifierdoi:10.1007/BF02099248
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/202201
dc.subjectGeneral Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
dc.titleClassification of Generalized Symmetries for the Vacuum Einstein Equations
dc.typetext

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