English

Do electromagnetic waves always propagate along null geodesics?

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2017-10-25 v3

Abstract

We find exact solutions to Maxwell equations written in terms of four-vector potentials in non--rotating, as well as in G\"odel and Kerr spacetimes. We show that Maxwell equations can be reduced to two uncoupled second-order differential equations for combinations of the components of the four-vector potential. Exact electromagnetic waves solutions are written on given gravitational field backgrounds where they evolve. We find that in non--rotating spherical symmetric spacetimes, electromagnetic waves travel along null geodesics. However, electromagnetic waves on G\"odel and Kerr spacetimes do not exhibit that behavior.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1608.06572,
  title  = {Do electromagnetic waves always propagate along null geodesics?},
  author = {Felipe A. Asenjo and Sergio A. Hojman},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1608.06572},
  year   = {2017}
}

Comments

Accepted in Classical and Quantum Gravity

R2 v1 2026-06-22T15:28:15.240Z