Perturbative Construction of General Relativity

In summary, There is a method for constructing General Relativity from the Linear Field Equations by generating a stress energy pseudo-tensor for the Linear Field Approximation of the gravitational field and using it to generate a higher level gravitational field. This method was proposed by Weinberg, but it is not clear if it is valid due to the construction of the stress-energy pseudo-tensors. Including the stress-energy due to curvature may violate the Einstein Equivalence Principle.
  • #1
ApplePion
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I remember reading a long time ago that there was a straightforward (but operationally difficult) way of constructing General Relativity from the Linear Field Equations. Essentially you start with the Linear Field Equations solution and then generate a stress energy pseudo-tensor for this Linear Field Approximation of the gravitational field, and use that stress-energy pseudo-tensor to generate a second level gravitational field. Then you use the stress energy pseudo-tensor the second level gravitational field to get to the third level etc. Eventually it converges to General Relativity.

This seems at first to be easy, but it is not clear that it is. The stress energy pseudo-tensors of the gravitational field are constructed solely such that the divergence of the sum of {the gravitational field stress-energy pseudo-tensor plus the stress-energy of matter} is zero. I am not sure the standard gravitational field pseudo-tensors ones will work on this procedure in the gauge that is used.

It was Weinberg that did this. If anyone can provide me with the Weinberg reference I would be very grateful.
 
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  • #2
That sounds kind of weird to me because the SET on the RHS of Einstein's field equations should only be the SET for matter...if you included the SET due to curvature, wouldn't that be "curvature coupling" and therefore forbidden by the Einstein Equivalence Principle?
 

What is perturbative construction of General Relativity?

The perturbative construction of General Relativity is a mathematical framework used to study the behavior of the theory of General Relativity in situations where the gravitational effects are small compared to other forces. It involves expanding the equations of General Relativity in a series of terms and solving them iteratively to approximate the behavior of the theory.

Why is perturbative construction important in studying General Relativity?

Perturbative construction is important because it allows us to study the behavior of General Relativity in situations where the full theory cannot be applied. For example, in situations where the gravitational effects are weak, such as in our Solar System, perturbative methods can provide accurate predictions without the need for solving the full equations of General Relativity.

How is perturbative construction used in cosmology?

Perturbative construction is used in cosmology to study the evolution of the universe on large scales. It is particularly useful in analyzing the formation of large-scale structures, such as galaxies and galaxy clusters, and in understanding the overall expansion of the universe. By perturbing the equations of General Relativity, we can study the effects of small fluctuations in the matter and energy distribution on the large-scale behavior of the universe.

What are the limitations of perturbative construction in General Relativity?

Perturbative construction is limited to situations where the gravitational effects are small compared to other forces. This means that it cannot be applied in extreme situations, such as near black holes or during the early stages of the Big Bang. In these cases, the full theory of General Relativity must be used.

What are some applications of perturbative construction in General Relativity?

Perturbative construction has many applications in astrophysics and cosmology. It is used to study the behavior of gravitational waves, the formation of galaxies and galaxy clusters, and the overall evolution of the universe. It is also used in precision tests of General Relativity and in developing new theoretical models that can better explain observational data.

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