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yicong2011
Mar11-11, 10:53 PM
What is Newman Penrose Formalism?

Are there any easy-to-read references? I find their original work on N-P Formalism, but only find it is a bit difficult for me...

Thank you.

Bill_K
Mar12-11, 06:32 AM
The N-P Formalism is a formulation of Einstein's equations based on a null tetrad, mainly useful for discussing radiation problems. What makes it seem so complicated is that instead of index notation, they assign a different Greek letter to each one of the Ricci rotation coeficients.

Naty1
Mar12-11, 08:27 AM
Some information here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newman-Penrose_formalism

Nothing here:
THE ROAD TO REALITY, Roger Penrose, 2004

George Jones
Mar12-11, 08:51 AM
What is Newman Penrose Formalism?

Are there any easy-to-read references?

I don't know if it is detailed enough, but you might try the treatment in Ryder's new book, Introduction to Relativity.

http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-General-Relativity-Lewis-Ryder/dp/0521845637/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1299940972&sr=8-1

yicong2011
Mar12-11, 09:14 PM
Thank you. But I do not find anything about NP Formalism in Ryder's Book...

George Jones
Mar13-11, 03:14 AM
Thank you. But I do not find anything about NP Formalism in Ryder's Book...

Look in section 7.8 Rotating Black Holes: Kerr Solution.