Understanding Admit & Adapt: Timelike Killing Vector Field

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In summary, a space-time is considered to be stationary if it has a timelike Killing vector field. This means that there exists a coordinate system in which the Killing vector field is parallel to the timelike basis, such as in Schwarzschild coordinates. However, other coordinate choices are possible, such as in Kruskal-Szekeres coordinates where the Killing field forms hyperbolas.
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GR191511
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"A space-time is said to be stationary if and only if it admits a timelike Killing vector field"
"...given a a timelike Killing vector field,then there always exists a coordinate system which is adapted to the Killing vector field##X^a##,that is,in which##X^a=\delta^a_0##holds..."
How to understand "admit"and"adapt"?Does it mean that ##X^a=\delta^a_0## may not hold even if there exists a timelike Killing vector field?Thanks!
 
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Admits, in this context, is a fancy way of saying "has". Stationary spacetimes are those that have a timelike Killing vector field.

"Adapted to" means "well matched to". You can always pick a coordinate system with a timelike basis parallel to the Killing field. It's often a good idea because then your definition of space can be independent of time, and Schwarzschild coordinates are an example of this. But as always with coordinates you are free to make any choice you like. In Kruskal-Szekeres coordinates, for example, the integral curves of the Killing vector field form hyperbolas. You don't even have to have a timelike basis vector if you don't want to.
 
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1. What is a timelike killing vector field?

A timelike killing vector field is a mathematical concept used in the study of spacetime in general relativity. It is a vector field that satisfies certain conditions and represents the existence of a symmetry in the spacetime, specifically a symmetry related to time translation.

2. How does the concept of a timelike killing vector field relate to Admit & Adapt?

The concept of a timelike killing vector field is important in understanding the Admit & Adapt approach, which is a method used to study the dynamics of spacetime in the presence of black holes. The timelike killing vector field represents a symmetry that can be used to simplify the equations and calculations involved in this approach.

3. What is the significance of understanding timelike killing vector fields in black hole physics?

Timelike killing vector fields are important in black hole physics because they allow us to understand the symmetries present in the spacetime around a black hole. This understanding is crucial in making predictions and calculations about the behavior of matter and energy near a black hole.

4. Can timelike killing vector fields be observed or measured?

No, timelike killing vector fields are a mathematical concept and cannot be directly observed or measured. However, they can be used to make predictions and calculations about the behavior of matter and energy in spacetime.

5. Are there any practical applications of understanding timelike killing vector fields?

Yes, understanding timelike killing vector fields has practical applications in fields such as astrophysics and cosmology. It allows us to make predictions and calculations about the behavior of matter and energy in extreme environments, such as near black holes, which can help us better understand the universe.

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