Maxwellian theory of gravitational waves and their mechanical properties

Barnett, S.M. (2014) Maxwellian theory of gravitational waves and their mechanical properties. New Journal of Physics, 16(2), Art. 023027. (doi: 10.1088/1367-2630/16/2/023027)

[img]
Preview
Text
91906.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

464kB

Abstract

We present a theory in Maxwellian form for gravitational waves in a flat background. This requires us to identify the gravitational analogues of the electric and magnetic fields for light. An important novelty, however, is that our analogues are not vector fields but rather rank-two tensor fields; in place of a three-component vector at each point in space, as in electromagnetism, our fields are three by three symmetric matrices at each point. The resulting Maxwell-like equations lead directly to a Poynting theorem for the local energy density associated with a gravitational wave and to associated local properties including densities of momentum and angular momentum.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Barnett, Professor Stephen
Authors: Barnett, S.M.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:New Journal of Physics
Publisher:Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd.
ISSN:1367-2630
ISSN (Online):1367-2630
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2014 The Author
First Published:First published in New Journal of Physics 16(2): 023027
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
549871Challenges in Orbital Angular MomentumMiles PadgettEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/I012451/1P&A - PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY