# Towards a regular type N vacuum gravitational field

## Abstract

An exact twisting type N vacuum solution is found. It has gauge and curvature invariants which are regular in the angular coordinates and decays to flat spacetime for big retarded times.

04.20J

The study of gravitational radiation far away from bounded sources becomes more and more important. It is governed by the Petrov type N part of the Riemann tensor and exact expanding vacuum solutions of type N seem to play fundamental role in the understanding of this phenomenon. All non-twisting solutions are known  but have singularities which extend to spatial infinity (singular pipes). This is a typical feature of the class of Robinson-Trautman solutions . For the twisting case only the Hauser solution is known  but it is singular too . A linearised twisting solution also possesses singular pipes , but a third and fourth order iterations of it turn out to be regular . However, higher orders become singular again  and even the third order iteration leads to singularities in the recently discovered curvature invariant .

In this work we present an exact twisting solution which satisfies the existing criteria for regularity. We shall work in the tetrad and coordinate system used in . The metric is

$$ds^2=\frac{2d\zeta d\overline{\zeta }}{\rho \overline{\rho }P^2}2\mathrm{\Omega }\left(dr+Wd\zeta +\overline{W}d\overline{\zeta }+N\mathrm{\Omega }\right)$$
(1)   
$`\mathrm{\Omega }=du+Ld\zeta +\overline{L}d\overline{\zeta }`$

where $`r`$ is the coordinate along a null congruence, $`u`$ is the retarded time and $`\zeta `$ is connected to the usual spherical angles by

$$\zeta =\sqrt{2}\mathrm{tan}\frac{\theta }{2}e^{i\phi }$$
(2)   
The metric components are determined by a real function $`P`$ and a complex function $`L`$ which are $`r`$-independent:

$$\rho =\left(r+i\mathrm{\Sigma }\right)^1$$
(3)   
$$W=\rho ^1L_u+i\mathrm{\Sigma }$$
(4)   
$$N=r\left(\mathrm{ln}P\right)_u+K/2$$
(5)   
where $`=_\zeta L_u`$ and the gauge invariants $`\mathrm{\Sigma }/r`$ and $`K/r^2`$ will be written out later, after their simplification. The basic functions $`P`$ and $`L`$ satisfy the field equation

$$Im\overline{}\overline{}V=0$$
(6)   
where $`V_u=P`$ and the condition that the third Weyl scalar $`\mathrm{\Psi }_3`$ vanishes and hence the solution is of type N or higher:

$$\psi ^1=0$$
(7)   
$$\psi ^1=P^1\left(\overline{}\overline{}V\right)_u$$
(8)   
We shall use an adaptation of Stephani’s method  which was proposed originally for type II solutions. Let us choose as a basic element the complex potential $`\psi (\zeta ,\overline{\zeta },u)`$ which satisfies $`\psi =0`$. This immediately gives

$$L=\psi _\zeta /\psi _u$$
(9)   
and $`\psi `$ may be taken as an arbitrary function $`\psi =\psi (\zeta ,\overline{\zeta },u)`$. This relation can be inverted to obtain $`u=u(\zeta ,\overline{\zeta },\psi )`$. This allows to consider $`V`$ as a function of $`\zeta ,\overline{\zeta }`$ and $`\psi `$, $`V=V(\zeta ,\overline{\zeta },u(\zeta ,\overline{\zeta },\psi ))=V(\zeta ,\overline{\zeta },\psi )`$. Then $`V=V_\zeta `$ and $`[,_\psi ]=0`$. Eqs. (7) and (8) become

$$\overline{\psi }H_{\zeta \zeta }=H$$
(10)   
$$P=i\psi _uH$$
(11)   
where $`iH=V_\psi `$. In order to simplify Eqs. (6) and (10) we discuss the subclass of functions $`\psi `$ with $`u`$-independent real part:

$$\psi =q(\zeta ,\overline{\zeta })ih(\zeta ,\overline{\zeta },u)$$
(12)   
$`\overline{\psi }=2q(\zeta ,\overline{\zeta })\psi `$

Then Eq. (11) shows that $`H`$ is real and replacing $`\overline{\psi }`$ from Eq. (12) into Eq. (10) we can determine $`H=H(\zeta ,\overline{\zeta },\psi )`$. Eqs. (9) and (11) give $`P`$ and $`L`$ . A non-trivial $`P`$ demands $`H0,`$ $`h_u0`$. Eq. (12) also gives $`\overline{}V=V_{\overline{\zeta }}+2q_{\overline{\zeta }}V_\psi `$. Applying the commutator $`[,\overline{}]=2Q_\psi `$, where $`Q=q_{\zeta \overline{\zeta }}`$, to Eq. (6) one obtains

$$2Q\left(H_{\zeta \overline{\zeta }}+QH_\psi +2q_{\overline{\zeta }}H_{\psi \zeta }\right)+Q_{\overline{\zeta }}H_\zeta +Q_\zeta H_{\overline{\zeta }}+2q_{\overline{\zeta }}Q_\zeta H_\psi +\frac{1}{2}Q_{\zeta \overline{\zeta }}H=0$$
(13)   
The twist $`\mathrm{\Sigma }`$ and the other gauge invariant $`K`$ (since we always take $`r`$ as directly given and independent of $`\zeta `$ ) read

$$\mathrm{\Sigma }=h_uH^2Q$$
(14)   
$$K=h_u^2H\left(\overline{}+\overline{}\right)\mathrm{ln}H$$
(15)   
We must ensure that $`Q0`$ for a non-zero twist. The only non-trivial Weyl scalar is

$$\mathrm{\Psi }_4=i\rho h_u^3H^2\psi ^2$$
(16)   
The non-vanishing of $`h_u`$ and $`H`$ guarantees that $`\mathrm{\Psi }_40`$ and the solution is of type N. The true curvature invariant $`I`$ of Bičák and Pravda  reads

$$\sqrt{I}=48\left(\rho \overline{\rho }\right)^2\mathrm{\Psi }_4\overline{\mathrm{\Psi }}_4$$
(17)   
Instead of Eqs. (6) and (7) we have derived a system of two linear second order with respect to $`H`$ equations (10) and (13). The procedure of finding a solution is the following. We fix $`q`$ and take an arbitrary $`h`$. $`L`$ is given by Eq. (9). We substitute from Eq. (12) $`\overline{\psi }(\zeta ,\overline{\zeta },\psi )`$ in Eq. (10) and solve it for $`H,`$ $`\psi `$ being treated as a parameter. Then we try to satisfy Eq. (13). $`P`$ is found from Eq. (11). A possible problem is the reality of $`H`$. The system (10) and (13) is simpler than the numerous non-linear high order equations found for $`L`$ in the gauge $`P=1`$ when Killing or homothetic Killing vectors are present \[13-16\].

Let us find next a solution $`H(x,u)`$, where $`x=\zeta +\overline{\zeta }`$, possessing the simplest possible twist $`Q=Q_0=const,`$ $`q=Q_0x^2/2`$. Eq. (10) becomes

$$\left(Q_0x^2\psi \right)H_{xx}=H$$
(18)   
Introduction of the variable $`z=Q_0x^2/\psi `$ transforms Eq. (18) into

$$z\left(1z\right)H_{zz}+\frac{1}{2}\left(1z\right)H_z+H/4Q_0=0$$
(19)   
This is a hypergeometric equation and one of its fundamental solutions is $`F(a,b,c,z)`$ where $`a\left(1+2a\right)=1/2Q_0,`$ $`b=a1/2,`$ $`c=1/2`$. We must make $`H`$ real, having in mind that $`\overline{z}=z/\left(z1\right)`$ and $`\overline{\psi }=\psi \left(z1\right)`$. The necessary linear transformations of $`F`$ exist when $`c=2b`$, which means $`Q_0=4/3`$ . Then

$$H_1=\left(i\psi \right)^{3/4}F(\frac{3}{4},\frac{1}{4},\frac{1}{2},z)$$
(20)   
$$z=4x^2/3\psi $$
(21)   
$$\psi =\frac{2}{3}x^2ih$$
(22)   
is one real solution of Eq. (19). The expressions $`ca`$ and $`cb`$ are not integers and the second real solution is

$$H_2=x\left(i\psi \right)^{1/4}F(\frac{1}{4},\frac{3}{4},\frac{3}{2},z)$$
(23)   
Both solutions may be expressed also by Legendre functions because $`c=2b`$ . They satisfy an identity which follows from Eq. (21):

$$\frac{3}{4}H=\psi H_\psi +\frac{1}{2}xH_x$$
(24)   
When $`Q=Q_0`$ and $`_\zeta =_x`$ Eq. (13) becomes

$$H_{xx}+Q_0H_\psi +2Q_0xH_{\psi x}=0$$
(25)   
Exploiting Eqs. (18) and (24) we see that $`H_{1,2}`$ satisfy Eq. (25) for $`Q_0=4/3`$. In total, we have found two type N solutions depending on an arbitrary real function $`h(x,u)`$ and given by

$$P_{1,2}=h_uH_{1,2}$$
(26)   
$$L=4ix/3h_u+h_x/h_u$$
(27)   
The function $`h`$ may be chosen in such a way that $`\mathrm{\Sigma },`$ $`K,`$ $`\mathrm{\Psi }_4`$ and $`I`$ remain regular in $`x`$ for $`\mathrm{}x\mathrm{}`$, i.e. possess no singular pipes. Namely, let us take

$$h=g\left(u\right)\left(1+x^4\right)^1$$
(28)   
where $`g0`$ and is bounded, but otherwise arbitrary function. Then

$$\mathrm{\Sigma }=4H^2g_u/3\left(1+x^4\right)$$
(29)   
$$K=2H_x\left(H_x+8xH_\psi /3\right)\left(1+x^4\right)^8g_u^2$$
(30)   
$$\sqrt{I}=48H^4g_u^6\left(r^2+\mathrm{\Sigma }^2\right)^3\left(1+x^4\right)^2\left[4x^4\left(1+x^4\right)^2/9+g^2\right]^2$$
(31)   
Eqs. (21) and (22) show that $`z`$ is always complex and $`z2`$. Hence, $`F`$ in Eqs. (20) and (23) is regular in $`x`$. Singular pipes do not arise in Eqs. (29), (30) and (31) even when $`x\mathrm{}`$ because $`Hx^{3/2},`$ $`H_xx^{1/2}`$ and $`H_\psi x^{1/2}`$. The condition $`g0`$ prevents the appearance of singularity in $`I`$ at $`x=0`$. Thus the gauge invariants $`\mathrm{\Sigma }`$ and $`K`$ and the true coordinate invariant $`I`$ are regular for any $`x`$ i.e. on the two-dimensional sphere. The function $`g\left(u\right)`$ is characteristic for gravitational radiation since it may bring ”news”. If $`g\left(u\right)=1+k\left(u\right)`$ and $`k_u0`$ when $`u\mathrm{}`$, the three invariants vanish for large retarded times.

Finally, let us make connection with previous results about twisting type N fields. The even Hauser solution  separates variables in the present coordinates :

$$L_H=2\left(u+i\right)/x$$
(32)   
$$P_H=x^{7/2}f\left(u\right)$$
(33)   
$$f\left(u\right)=F(\frac{1}{8},\frac{3}{8},\frac{1}{2},u^2)$$
(34)   
Eq. (32) leads to the potential

$$\psi _H=Q_0x^2\left(1iu\right)/2$$
(35)   
It falls within the subclass we are discussing. A combination of linear and quadratic transformations applied to $`f\left(u\right)`$ yields

$$P_H=AP_1+BP_2$$
(36)   
where $`A`$ and $`B`$ are constants and $`h=2ux^2/3`$. The result for the odd solution is similar. This is not surprising because a linear combination of solutions of the linear equations (10) and (25) is also a solution if $`\psi `$ is the same. Eq. (36) fixes $`Q_0=4/3`$ in Eq. (35).

Formulae (29-31) are replaced by

$$\mathrm{\Sigma }_H=2x^5f$$
(37)   
$$K_H=\frac{8}{9}x^5S\left(u\right)$$
(38)   
$$\sqrt{I_H}=108f^4x^{10}\left(1+u^2\right)^2\left(r^2+4f^4x^{10}\right)^3$$
(39)   
where $`S\left(u\right)`$ $`=\left(9f/43uf_u\right)^2+9f_u^2`$. It is clearly seen that $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_H`$ and $`K_H`$ have singular pipes at $`x=\mathrm{}`$. Quite interestingly, $`I_H`$ is regular in $`x`$. When $`u\mathrm{},`$ $`fu^{3/4}`$ and $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_H`$ and $`K_H`$ diverge, but $`I_H0`$.

There are other solutions of Eq. (10) with $`L`$ given by Eq. (32) and $`\psi `$ given by Eq. (35). They correspond to rational degenerations of the hypergeometric function for certain values of $`Q_0`$. When $`Q_0=1/2`$ and $`Q_0=1/6`$ Eq. (19) yields the solutions

$$P_{C1}=2^6x^6\left(u^2+1\right)$$
(40)   
$$P_{C2}=12^{7/2}x^7\left(u^2+1\right)$$
(41)   
respectively. The constants in the above equations are irrelevant since $`P`$ is determined up to a multiplicative constant. These are the Collinson’s semi-solutions , because they do not satisfy the constraint equation (25).

This work was supported by the Bulgarian National Fund for Scientific Research under contract F-632.