Killing vector tangents to geodesics

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the properties of null Killing vectors in the context of general relativity, specifically when the norm of a Killing vector is null, indicating it is also a null geodesic. It is established that the integral curves of a null Killing field, denoted as ##\xi^{\mu}##, are null geodesics due to the relationship ##\xi^{\nu}\nabla_{\nu}\xi^{\mu} = -\xi^{\nu}\nabla^{\mu}\xi_{\nu} = 0##. The text "Exact Solutions of Einstein's Field Equations" by Stephani et al. is recommended for further exploration of the myriad properties of such spacetimes.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of null geodesics in general relativity
  • Familiarity with Killing vectors and their properties
  • Knowledge of covariant derivatives and their notation
  • Basic comprehension of Einstein's Field Equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of null Killing vectors in general relativity
  • Read "Exact Solutions of Einstein's Field Equations" by Stephani et al.
  • Explore the mathematical derivation of properties of Killing fields
  • Investigate the relationship between twist and null Killing fields
USEFUL FOR

The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, mathematicians specializing in differential geometry, and students of general relativity seeking to deepen their understanding of Killing vectors and their implications in spacetime geometry.

Andre' Quanta
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Suppose to have a killing vector that its norm is null, so at the same time is also a null geodesic.
Does the metric have special propierty? What can i say about the Killing vector and its proprierties?
 
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Andre' Quanta said:
Suppose to have a killing vector that its norm is null, so at the same time is also a null geodesic.

Why does the Killing vector being null imply that it's a null geodesic? Not all null curves are null geodesics.
 
PeterDonis said:
Why does the Killing vector being null imply that it's a null geodesic? Not all null curves are null geodesics.

Because ##\xi^{\nu}\nabla_{\nu}\xi^{\mu} = -\xi^{\nu}\nabla^{\mu}\xi_{\nu} = - \frac{1}{2}\nabla^{\mu}\xi^2 = 0## if ##\xi^{\mu}## is a null Killing field so the integral curves of ##\xi^{\mu}## are null geodesics.

To the OP, you need to be more specific. There is a myriad properties that such a space-time possesses, which you can find coherently interspersed throughout the text "Exact Solutions of Einstein's Field Equations" by Stephani et al.

As for the null Killing vector, the most important property is that ##\nabla_{[\mu}\omega_{\nu]} = 0 \Leftrightarrow \omega^{\mu} = 0## where ##\omega^{\mu}## is the twist of the null Killing field. I typed up a short calculation demonstrating the non-trivial direction; see the attached image.
 

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