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Tensor[AdaptedNullTetrad] - find a null tetrad which transforms the Newman-Penrose Weyl scalars to a standard form

Calling Sequences

     AdaptedNullTetrad(NT, PT, options )

     AdaptedNullTetrad(NT, PT, W, options )

     AdaptedNullTetrad(NT, PT, NP , options )

Parameters

    NT      - a null tetrad for the spacetime metric g

    PT      -  the Petrov type of g

    W       - (optional) the Weyl tensor of g

    NP      - (optional) the Newman-Penrose Weyl scalars

    options - one or more of the keyword arguments method and output

 

 

 

Description

Examples

Description

• 

 The Newman-Penrose Weyl scalars are a set of 5 complex scalars, labeled Ψ0, Ψ1, Ψ2, Ψ3, Ψ4 , and defined by certain components of the Weyl tensor with respect to a given null tetrad in a four dimensional spacetime of signature [1, -1, -1, -1]. Under local Lorentz transformations, the Newman-Penrose Weyl scalars transform among themselves in a natural way. Depending upon the Petrov type of the spacetime it is possible to transform the Newman-Penrose Weyl scalars to one of following normal forms. Below, η and χ are complex scalars. See NPCurvatureScalars, NullTetradTransformation.

Type I. Ψ0= 32 η χ , Ψ1 = 0, Ψ2=12η2 − χ, Ψ3 =0, Ψ4 = 32η χ .

Type II. Ψ0= 0, Ψ1= 0, Ψ2 =η, Ψ3=0,Ψ4 = 6 η.

Type III. Ψ0 = 0, Ψ1=0, Ψ2 =0, Ψ3=1, Ψ4 = 0.

Type D. Ψ0= 0, Ψ1 = 0, Ψ2 =η, Ψ3 = 0, Ψ4= 0.

Type N. Ψ0= 0, Ψ1 =0, Ψ2 = 0, Ψ3 = 0, Ψ4 = 1.

Type O. Ψ0= 0, Ψ1 = 0, Ψ2 =0, Ψ3 =0, Ψ4 = 0.

See Penrose and Rindle Vol. 2, Section 8.3.

• 

Null tetrads for which the Newman-Penrose Weyl scalars are in the above normal form are called adapted null tetrads. Calculations are often simplified by using an adapted null tetrad.

• 

The command AdaptedNullTetrad returns a null tetrad which will put the Newman-Penrose Weyl scalars in the above normal form.

• 

The procedure AdaptedNullTetrad first calculates the Weyl spinor and calls the procedure AdaptedSpinorDyad to find a spinor dyad which transforms the Weyl spinor to normal form. The adapted null tetrad is then constructed from the spinor dyad.

• 

The command AdaptedNullTetrad is part of the DifferentialGeometry:-Tensor package. It can be used in the form AdaptedNullTetrad(...) only after executing the commands with(DifferentialGeometry) and with(Tensor), but can always be used by executing DifferentialGeometry:-Tensor:-AdaptedNullTetrad(...).

Examples

> 

with⁡DifferentialGeometry:with⁡Tensor:

 

Set the global environment variable _EnvExplicit to true to insure that the adapted null tetrads are free of RootOf expressions.

> 

_EnvExplicit≔true:

 

Example 1. Type I

We calculate an adapted null tetrad for a type I spacetime. First define the coordinates to be used and then define the metric.

 

> 

DGsetup⁡t,x,y,z,M

frame name: M

(2.1)
M > 

g1≔evalDG⁡dt&tdt−t2⁢dx&tdx−x2⁢dy&tdy−dz&tdz

g1:=dt⁢dt−t2⁢dx⁢dx−x2⁢dy⁢dy−dz⁢dz

(2.2)

 

Here is an initial null tetrad.

> 

NT1≔evalDG⁡D_t+D_z,12⁢D_t−D_z,12⁢sqrt⁡2⁢D_xt+12⁢I⁢sqrt⁡2⁢D_yx,12⁢sqrt⁡2⁢D_xt−12⁢I⁢sqrt⁡2⁢D_yx

NT1:=D_t+D_z,12⁢D_t−12⁢D_z,22⁢t⁢D_x+I2⁢2x⁢D_y,22⁢t⁢D_x−I2⁢2x⁢D_y

(2.3)

 

We check that this is indeed a null tetrad for the given metric using GRQuery.

M > 

GRQuery⁡NT1,g1,NullTetrad

true

(2.4)

 

Compute the Newman-Penrose coefficients and check that the Petrov type is I. The coefficients are not in normal form for type I (for example, Ψ1 ≠ 0), so NT1 is not an adapted null tetrad.

M > 

NP1≔NPCurvatureScalars⁡NT1,output=WeylScalars

NP1:=tablePsi1=−14⁢2x⁢t2,Psi0=0,Psi2=0,Psi4=0,Psi3=−18⁢2x⁢t2

(2.5)
M > 

PetrovType⁡NP1

I

(2.6)

 

Calculate an adapted null tetrad and simplify.

> 

newNT1≔combine⁡AdaptedNullTetrad⁡NT1,I,symbolic

newNT1:=22⁢D_t−22⁢t⁢D_x,22⁢D_t+22⁢t⁢D_x,12+I2x⁢D_y+12−I2⁢D_z,12−I2x⁢D_y+12+I2⁢D_z

(2.7)

 

Calculate the Newman-Penrose coefficients for the new null tetrad. We obtain the correct normal form (with χ = 2)since Ψ1= Ψ3 = 0 and Ψ0= Ψ4.

M > 

newNP1≔NPCurvatureScalars⁡newNT1,output=WeylScalars

newNP1:=tablePsi1=0,Psi0=−12⁢It2⁢x,Psi2=0,Psi4=−12⁢It2⁢x,Psi3=0

(2.8)

 

Example 2. Type II

We calculate an adapted null tetrad for a type II spacetime. First define the coordinates to be used and then define the metric.

 

> 

DGsetup⁡r,u,x,y,M

frame name: M

(2.9)
M > 

g2≔evalDG⁡−2⁢r22⁢x3⁢dx&tdx+dy&tdy+2⁢du&sdr−3⁢2⁢x+2⁢mr⁢du&tdu

g2:=dr⁢du+du⁢dr−2⁢3⁢x⁢r+mr⁢du⁢du−r24⁢x3⁢dx⁢dx−r24⁢x3⁢dy⁢dy

(2.10)

 

Here is an initial null tetrad.

M > 

NT2≔evalDG⁡D_r,3⁢x⁢r+m⁢D_rr+D_u,I⁢sqrt⁡2⁢x32⁢D_xr+sqrt⁡2⁢x32⁢D_yr,−I⁢sqrt⁡2⁢x32⁢D_xr+sqrt⁡2⁢x32⁢D_yr

NT2:=D_r,3⁢x⁢r+mr⁢D_r+D_u,I⁢2⁢x32r⁢D_x+2⁢x32r⁢D_y,−I⁢2⁢x32r⁢D_x+2⁢x32r⁢D_y

(2.11)

 

We check that this is indeed a null tetrad for the given metric.

M > 

GRQuery⁡NT2,g2,NullTetrad

true

(2.12)

 

Compute the Newman-Penrose coefficients and check that the Petrov type is II. The coefficients are not in normal form for type II (for example, Ψ3 ≠ 0), so NT2 is not an adapted null tetrad.

M > 

NP2≔NPCurvatureScalars⁡NT2,output=WeylScalars

NP2:=tablePsi1=0,Psi0=0,Psi2=−mr3,Psi4=18⁢x2r2,Psi3=−3⁢I⁢2⁢x3/2r2

(2.13)
M > 

PetrovType⁡NP2

II

(2.14)

 

Calculate an adapted null tetrad. We use the third calling sequence so that the Weyl tensor, or equivalently, the Newman-Penrose Weyl scalars need not be computed. Moreover, all computations are then algebraic and we can use Maple's assuming feature to simplify all intermediate calculations.

> 

newNT2≔AdaptedNullTetrad⁡NT2&comma;II&comma;NP2assuming0<x,0<y,0<r,3⁢m−2⁢x⁢r<0,m<0

newNT2:=−r⁢2⁢x⁢r−3⁢m⁢xm⁢D_r&comma;−2⁢r3⁢x3+3⁢m2⁢r⁢x+m3r32⁢2⁢x⁢r−3⁢m⁢x⁢m⁢D_r−mr⁢2⁢x⁢r−3⁢m⁢x⁢D_u−4⁢x2r⁢2⁢x⁢r−3⁢m⁢D_x&comma;−I⁢2⁢x32⁢rm⁢D_r−I⁢2⁢x32r⁢D_x−2⁢x32r⁢D_y&comma;I⁢2⁢x32⁢rm⁢D_r+I⁢2⁢x32r⁢D_x−2⁢x32r⁢D_y

(2.15)

 

Calculate the Newman-Penrose coefficients for the new null tetrad. We obtain the correct normal form (with &eta; &equals; −mr3 ) since &Psi;0&equals; &Psi;1 &equals; &Psi;3 &equals; 0 and &Psi;2 &equals; &eta;&comma; &Psi;4 &equals; 6 &eta;.

M > 

newNP2≔NPCurvatureScalars⁡newNT2&comma;output=WeylScalars

newNP2:=tablePsi1&equals;0&comma;Psi0&equals;0&comma;Psi2&equals;−mr3&comma;Psi4&equals;−6⁢mr3&comma;Psi3&equals;0

(2.16)

 

Example 3. Type III

We calculate an adapted null tetrad for a type III spacetime. First define the coordinates to be used and then define the metric.

> 

DGsetup⁡r&comma;u&comma;x&comma;y&comma;M

frame name: M

(2.17)
M > 

g3≔evalDG⁡−r2x3⁢dx&tdx+dy&tdy+2⁢du&sdr−32⁢x⁢du&tdu

g3:=dr⁢du+du⁢dr−3⁢x2⁢du⁢du−r2x3⁢dx⁢dx−r2x3⁢dy⁢dy

(2.18)

 

Here is an initial null tetrad.

> 

NT3≔evalDG⁡38⁢x+12⁢D_r+12⁢D_u+12⁢sqrt⁡2⁢x32⁢D_yr&comma;38⁢x+12⁢D_r+12⁢D_u−12⁢sqrt⁡2⁢x32⁢D_yr&comma;−38⁢x+12⁢D_r−12⁢D_u+12⁢I⁢sqrt⁡2⁢x32⁢D_xr&comma;−38⁢x+12⁢D_r−12⁢D_u−12⁢I⁢sqrt⁡2⁢x32⁢D_xr

NT3:=3⁢x8+12⁢D_r+12⁢D_u+2⁢x322⁢r⁢D_y&comma;3⁢x8+12⁢D_r+12⁢D_u−2⁢x322⁢r⁢D_y&comma;−3⁢x8−12⁢D_r−12⁢D_u+I2⁢2⁢x32r⁢D_x&comma;−3⁢x8−12⁢D_r−12⁢D_u−I2⁢2⁢x32r⁢D_x

(2.19)

 

We check that this is indeed a null tetrad for the given metric.

M > 

GRQuery⁡NT3&comma;g3&comma;NullTetrad

true

(2.20)

 

Compute the Newman-Penrose coefficients and check that the Petrov type is III. The coefficients are not in normal form for type III (for example, &Psi;1 ≠ 0), so NT3 is not an adapted null tetrad.

M > 

NP3≔NPCurvatureScalars⁡NT3&comma;output=WeylScalars

NP3:=tablePsi1&equals;−332⁢2⁢I⁢2&plus;3⁢x⁢x3&sol;2r2&comma;Psi0&equals;332⁢x⁢4⁢I⁢2⁢x&plus;3⁢xr2&comma;Psi2&equals;932⁢x2r2&comma;Psi4&equals;−332⁢x⁢4⁢I⁢2⁢x−3⁢xr2&comma;Psi3&equals;332⁢2⁢I⁢2−3⁢x⁢x3&sol;2r2

(2.21)
> 

PetrovType⁡NP3

III

(2.22)

 

Calculate an adapted null tetrad.

> 

newNT3≔AdaptedNullTetrad⁡NT3&comma;III&comma;NP3assuming0<x

newNT3:=3⁢2⁢x328⁢r2⁢D_r&comma;11⁢2⁢r28⁢x⁢D_r+4⁢2⁢r23⁢x32⁢D_u+r⁢x⁢2⁢D_x&comma;3⁢2⁢x8⁢D_r+2⁢x322⁢r⁢D_x+I2⁢2⁢x32r⁢D_y&comma;3⁢2⁢x8⁢D_r+2⁢x322⁢r⁢D_x−I2⁢2⁢x32r⁢D_y

(2.23)

 

Calculate the Newman-Penrose coefficients for the new null tetrad. We obtain the correct normal form since &Psi;0 &equals; &Psi;1&equals; &Psi;2 &equals; &Psi;4 &equals;0 and &Psi;3&equals; 1 .

M > 

NPCurvatureScalars⁡newNT3&comma;output=WeylScalars

tablePsi1&equals;0&comma;Psi0&equals;0&comma;Psi2&equals;0&comma;Psi4&equals;0&comma;Psi3&equals;1

(2.24)

 

 

Example 4. Type D

We calculate an adapted null tetrad for a type D spacetime. First define the coordinates to be used and then define the metric.

> 

DGsetup⁡t&comma;x&comma;y&comma;z&comma;M

frame name: M

(2.25)
M > 

g4≔evalDG⁡−dx&tdx−dy&tdy−12⁢exp⁡2⁢x⁢dz&tdz+dt+exp⁡x⁢dz&sdt+exp⁡x⁢dz

g4:=dt⁢dt+&ExponentialE;x⁢dt⁢dz−dx⁢dx−dy⁢dy+&ExponentialE;x⁢dz⁢dt+&ExponentialE;2⁢x2⁢dz⁢dz

(2.26)

 

Here is an initial null tetrad.

> 

NT4≔evalDG⁡−12⁢sqrt⁡2⁢sqrt⁡2−1⁢D_t+exp⁡−x⁢D_z&comma;12⁢sqrt⁡2⁢1+sqrt⁡2⁢D_t−exp⁡−x⁢D_z&comma;12⁢sqrt⁡2⁢D_x+12⁢I⁢sqrt⁡2⁢D_y&comma;12⁢sqrt⁡2⁢D_x−12⁢I⁢sqrt⁡2⁢D_y

NT4:=−2⁢2−12⁢D_t+&ExponentialE;−x⁢D_z&comma;2⁢2+12⁢D_t−&ExponentialE;−x⁢D_z&comma;22⁢D_x+I2⁢2⁢D_y&comma;22⁢D_x−I2⁢2⁢D_y

(2.27)

 

We check that this is indeed a null tetrad for the given metric.

M > 

GRQuery⁡NT4&comma;g4&comma;NullTetrad

true

(2.28)

 

Compute the Newman-Penrose coefficients and check that the Petrov type is D. The coefficients are not in normal form for type D (for example, &Psi;0 ≠ 0), so NT4 is not an adapted null tetrad.

M > 

NP4≔NPCurvatureScalars⁡NT4&comma;output=WeylScalars

NP4:=tablePsi1&equals;0&comma;Psi0&equals;14&comma;Psi2&equals;112&comma;Psi4&equals;14&comma;Psi3&equals;0

(2.29)
M > 

PetrovType⁡NP4

D

(2.30)

 

Calculate an adapted null tetrad.

> 

newNT4≔AdaptedNullTetrad⁡NT4&comma;D

newNT4:=2⁢D_t−2⁢D_y&comma;24⁢D_t+24⁢D_y&comma;−I⁢D_t+22⁢D_x+I⁢&ExponentialE;−x⁢D_z&comma;I⁢D_t+22⁢D_x−I⁢&ExponentialE;−x⁢D_z

(2.31)

 

Calculate the Newman-Penrose coefficients for the new null tetrad. We obtain the correct normal form since &Psi;0&equals; &Psi;1 &equals; &Psi;3 &equals;&Psi;4 = 0.

M > 

newNP≔NPCurvatureScalars⁡newNT4&comma;output=WeylScalars

newNP:=tablePsi1&equals;0&comma;Psi0&equals;0&comma;Psi2&equals;−16&comma;Psi4&equals;0&comma;Psi3&equals;0

(2.32)

 

Example 5. Type N

We calculate an adapted null tetrad for a type N spacetime. First define the coordinates to be used and then define the metric.

> 

DGsetup⁡u&comma;x&comma;y&comma;z&comma;M

frame name: M

(2.33)
M > 

g5≔evalDG⁡exp⁡−2⁢z⁢du&tdx+exp⁡−2⁢z⁢dx&tdu+exp⁡z⁢dx&tdx−exp⁡−2⁢z⁢dy&tdy−dz&tdz

g5:=&ExponentialE;−2⁢z⁢du⁢dx+&ExponentialE;−2⁢z⁢dx⁢du+&ExponentialE;z⁢dx⁢dx−&ExponentialE;−2⁢z⁢dy⁢dy−dz⁢dz

(2.34)

 

Here is the initial null tetrad.

> 

NT5≔evalDG⁡−14⁢exp⁡3⁢z−2⁢exp⁡z⁢D_u+12⁢exp⁡z⁢D_x+12⁢sqrt⁡2⁢D_z&comma;−14⁢exp⁡3⁢z−2⁢exp⁡z⁢D_u+12⁢exp⁡z⁢D_x−12⁢sqrt⁡2⁢D_z&comma;14⁢exp⁡3⁢z+2⁢exp⁡z⁢D_u−12⁢exp⁡z⁢D_x+12⁢I⁢sqrt⁡2⁢exp⁡z⁢D_y&comma;14⁢exp⁡3⁢z+2⁢exp⁡z⁢D_u−12⁢exp⁡z⁢D_x−12⁢I⁢sqrt⁡2⁢exp⁡z⁢D_y

NT5:=−&ExponentialE;3⁢z−2⁢&ExponentialE;z4⁢D_u+&ExponentialE;z2⁢D_x+22⁢D_z&comma;−&ExponentialE;3⁢z−2⁢&ExponentialE;z4⁢D_u+&ExponentialE;z2⁢D_x−22⁢D_z&comma;&ExponentialE;3⁢z+2⁢&ExponentialE;z4⁢D_u−&ExponentialE;z2⁢D_x+I2⁢2⁢&ExponentialE;z⁢D_y&comma;&ExponentialE;3⁢z+2⁢&ExponentialE;z4⁢D_u−&ExponentialE;z2⁢D_x−I2⁢2⁢&ExponentialE;z⁢D_y

(2.35)

 

We check that this is indeed a null tetrad for the given metric.

M > 

GRQuery⁡NT5&comma;g5&comma;NullTetrad

true

(2.36)

 

Compute the Newman-Penrose coefficients and check that the Petrov type is N. The coefficients are not in normal form for type N (for example, &Psi;1 ≠ 0), so NT5 is not an adapted null tetrad.

M > 

NP5≔NPCurvatureScalars⁡NT5&comma;output=WeylScalars

NP5:=tablePsi1&equals;−38⁢&ExponentialE;3⁢z&comma;Psi0&equals;38⁢&ExponentialE;3⁢z&comma;Psi2&equals;38⁢&ExponentialE;3⁢z&comma;Psi4&equals;38⁢&ExponentialE;3⁢z&comma;Psi3&equals;−38⁢&ExponentialE;3⁢z

(2.37)
M > 

PetrovType⁡NP5

N

(2.38)

 

Calculate an adapted null tetrad.

> 

newNT5≔AdaptedNullTetrad⁡NT5&comma;N&comma;NP5assuming0<z

newNT5:=&ExponentialE;5⁢z2⁢62⁢D_u&comma;−6⁢&ExponentialE;3⁢z−2⁢&ExponentialE;−z26⁢D_u+&ExponentialE;−z2⁢63⁢D_x+2⁢3⁢&ExponentialE;−3⁢z23⁢D_z&comma;−&ExponentialE;z⁢D_u+I2⁢2⁢&ExponentialE;z⁢D_y−22⁢D_z&comma;−&ExponentialE;z⁢D_u−I2⁢2⁢&ExponentialE;z⁢D_y−22⁢D_z

(2.39)

 

Calculate the Newman-Penrose coefficients for the new null tetrad. We obtain the correct normal form since &Psi;0&equals; &Psi;1 &equals; &Psi;2 &equals;&Psi;3 = 0 and &Psi;4 &equals;1.

M > 

newNP5≔NPCurvatureScalars⁡newNT5&comma;output=WeylScalars

newNP5:=tablePsi1&equals;0&comma;Psi0&equals;0&comma;Psi2&equals;0&comma;Psi4&equals;1&comma;Psi3&equals;0

(2.40)

See Also

DifferentialGeometry

Tensor

AdaptedSpinorDyad

FactorWeylSpinor

NPCurvatureScalars

NullVector

PetrovType

WeylSpinor