vi
Preface
on tensor calculus, we make extensive use of the theory of bivectors (or skewsymmetric tensors) in general relativity and thus an early chapter is devoted to
them. An application of the time-like congruences is provided by the construction
of models of Bateman electromagnetic and gravitational waves in the linear
approximation using the gauge invariant and covariant formalism demonstrating
that the gravitational waves exist owing to the acquisition of shear or distortion
by the t-lines. There follows, interspersed with the provocative examples mentioned
above, studies of gravitational radiation in the context of de Sitter (or anti-de Sitter)
cosmology and the gravitational compass or clock compass (general relativistic
gradiometers) for providing an operational way of measuring a gravitational field.
Finally we should point out that among the relativists with whom one or other of
us has collaborated are J.L. Synge, I. Robinson, A. Trautman, G.F.R. Ellis, W. Israel,
Y.N. Obukhov and F.W. Hehl, and there are identifiable threads running through the
text which reflect their influence upon us.
Dublin, Ireland
Peter A. Hogan
Bremen, Germany
Dirk Puetzfeld 1
October 2020
1 D.P. acknowledges the support by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) through the grant
PU 461/1-2 project number 369402949.
Preface
on tensor calculus, we make extensive use of the theory of bivectors (or skewsymmetric tensors) in general relativity and thus an early chapter is devoted to
them. An application of the time-like congruences is provided by the construction
of models of Bateman electromagnetic and gravitational waves in the linear
approximation using the gauge invariant and covariant formalism demonstrating
that the gravitational waves exist owing to the acquisition of shear or distortion
by the t-lines. There follows, interspersed with the provocative examples mentioned
above, studies of gravitational radiation in the context of de Sitter (or anti-de Sitter)
cosmology and the gravitational compass or clock compass (general relativistic
gradiometers) for providing an operational way of measuring a gravitational field.
Finally we should point out that among the relativists with whom one or other of
us has collaborated are J.L. Synge, I. Robinson, A. Trautman, G.F.R. Ellis, W. Israel,
Y.N. Obukhov and F.W. Hehl, and there are identifiable threads running through the
text which reflect their influence upon us.
Dublin, Ireland
Peter A. Hogan
Bremen, Germany
Dirk Puetzfeld 1
October 2020
1 D.P. acknowledges the support by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) through the grant
PU 461/1-2 project number 369402949.