Energy localization in general relativity and Kerr-Newman fields

Date

1992

Authors

Richardson, Stephen Alan

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Abstract

In the theory of general relativity, a meaningful generally covariant expres­sion for energy density has not been found. It has been argued, however, that energy should be localizable, if not in general, then at least for spacetimes with specific symmetry properties. For example, in spherically symmetric spacetimes physically meaningful energy localizations have been constructed. This thesis explores the conjecture that meaningful localizations can be con­structed for certain classes of axially symmetric spacetimes, in particular, for Kerr-Newman spacetimes. The existing definitions of energy in general relativity are first reviewed. This review includes the canonical energy-momentum complexes and pseu­dotensors, various isolated system integrals, the symmetry method as well as several quasi-local approaches. Next, the properties of Kerr-Newman space­times are summarized. With this background established, various localization schemes are then applied to the Kerr-Newman fields. As a result, a new exact expression for localized Kerr-Newman energy is successfully derived.

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UN SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

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