Isolated systems in general relativity
Thesis/Dissertation
·
OSTI ID:5883748
This work comprises two parts. The first part examines radiation effects on composite isolated systems. The author starts by solving the nonlinear asymptotic vacuum field equations in the formalism of Newman and Penrose. He uses a spin weight spherical harmonics representation of the source. The coupling to matter and the equations of motion are obtained through the conservation laws. The results are then applied to the two body problem. Well known phenomena such as the energy and angular momentum loss of radiating systems are recovered. In addition, a new effect is determined whereby the center of mass of such systems is found to recoil. In favorable cases the recoil velocity can attain a few percent of the speed of light. Part two examines the concept of angular momentum for isolated systems in general relativity. It is argued that, on physical grounds, the definition of angular momentum in general relativity should stem from the expression of linear momentum in a way similar to the expression L = rxP used for theories in pseudo-Euclidian spaces. This idea is implemented for isolated systems where, in a sense, a flat background spacetime is available.
- Research Organization:
- Oregon Univ., Eugene (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5883748
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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