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