What is Newman Penrose Formalism?

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In summary, Newman Penrose Formalism is a formulation of Einstein's equations that uses a null tetrad and is particularly useful for discussing radiation problems. It can seem complicated due to the use of Greek letters instead of index notation for the Ricci rotation coefficients. Some easy-to-read references for this concept include the Wikipedia page and the book "Introduction to Relativity" by Ryder. However, there may be more detailed information on NP Formalism in section 7.8 of Ryder's book, specifically in the discussion of rotating black holes.
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yicong2011
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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.
 
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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.
 
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Thank you. But I do not find anything about NP Formalism in Ryder's Book...
 
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yicong2011 said:
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.
 

1. What is Newman Penrose Formalism?

Newman Penrose Formalism is a mathematical framework used to describe the mathematical properties of spacetime in general relativity. It is based on the use of spinors and tensors to describe the curvature of spacetime and its effects on matter and energy.

2. Who developed Newman Penrose Formalism?

Newman Penrose Formalism was developed by mathematicians and physicists Roy Kerr, Ezra Newman, Roger Penrose, and Ted Newman in the 1960s. They aimed to develop a more elegant and powerful approach to solving the Einstein field equations in general relativity.

3. How is Newman Penrose Formalism different from other approaches in general relativity?

Newman Penrose Formalism is different from other approaches in general relativity because it uses spinors and tensors to describe the properties of spacetime, rather than traditional methods such as tensors and matrices. This allows for a more compact and elegant formulation of the equations, making it easier to analyze and solve complex problems.

4. What are the main applications of Newman Penrose Formalism?

Newman Penrose Formalism has been used in a variety of applications in general relativity, including the study of black holes, gravitational waves, and cosmology. It has also been used in other areas of physics, such as quantum gravity and high-energy physics.

5. Is Newman Penrose Formalism still used today?

Yes, Newman Penrose Formalism is still used today in various areas of physics and mathematics. It is considered to be a powerful and elegant tool for studying the properties of spacetime and its effects on matter and energy. It continues to be a subject of research and development, with new applications and advancements being made in the field.

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