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Logarithmic ambiguities in the description of spatial infinity

  • Part I. Invited Papers Dedicated To Peter G. Bergmann
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Abstract

Logarithmic ambiguities in the choice of asymptotically Cartesian coordinates at spatial infinity are discussed. It is shown that they do not affect the definitions of energy-momentum and angular momentum at i°. Thus, from a physical viewpoint, the ambiguities are “pure gauge.” A prescription is given for fixed this gauge freedom for the class of space-times in which the leading-order part of the Weyl tensor satisfies a certain reflection symmetry. This class admits, in all (relatively boosted) rest frames at infinity, a one-parameter family of asymptotically distinct 3-surfaces (generalized 3-planes) on which the trace of the extrinsic curvature falls off faster than usual.

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Dedicated to Peter Bergmann on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow.

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Ashtekar, A. Logarithmic ambiguities in the description of spatial infinity. Found Phys 15, 419–431 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01889278

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01889278

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