Geometric Algebra, Gravity and Gravitational Waves


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Authors
Lasenby, Anthony N.  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8208-6332
Abstract

Abstract: We discuss an approach to gravitational waves based on Geometric Algebra and Gauge Theory Gravity. After a brief introduction to Geometric Algebra (GA), we consider Gauge Theory Gravity, which uses symmetries expressed within the GA of flat spacetime to derive gravitational forces as the gauge forces corresponding to making these symmetries local. We then consider solutions for black holes and plane gravitational waves in this approach, noting the simplicity that GA affords in both writing the solutions, and checking some of their properties. We then go on to show that a preferred gauge emerges for gravitational plane waves, in which a ‘memory effect’ corresponding to non-zero velocities left after the passage of the waves becomes clear, and the physical nature of this effect is demonstrated. In a final section we present the mathematical details of the gravitational wave treatment in GA, and link it with other approaches to exact waves in the literature. Even for those not reaching it via Geometric Algebra, we recommend that the general relativity metric-based version of the preferred gauge, the Brinkmann metric, be considered for use more widely by astrophysicists and others for the study of gravitational plane waves. These advantages are shown to extend to a treatment of joint gravitational and electromagnetic plane waves, and in a final subsection, we use the exact solutions found for particle motion in exact impulsive gravitational waves to discuss whether backward in time motion can be induced by strongly non-linear waves.

Description
Keywords
Article, AGACSE 2018 IMECC - UNICAMP, Relativity, Geometric algebra, Gravitational waves, General relativity, Clifford algebra, Primary 83-XX, 83C35, 83C40, Secondary 83Dxx, 83Cxx, 15A66
Journal Title
Advances in Applied Clifford Algebras
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
0188-7009
1661-4909
Volume Title
29
Publisher
Springer International Publishing