Related papers: Light cones in relativity: Real, complex and virtu…
We show that, though they are rare, there are asymptotically flat space-times that possess null geodesic congruences that are both asymptotically shear- free and twist-free (surface forming). In particular, we display the class of…
Homogeneous gravitational wave backgrounds arise as infinite momentum limits of many geometries with a well-understood holographic description. General global aspects of these geometries are discussed. Using exact CFT techniques, strings in…
Gravity in $4d$ asymptotically flat spacetime constitutes the archetypal example of a gravitational system with leaky boundary conditions. Pursuing our analysis of [1], we argue that the holographic description of such a system requires the…
Given a constant vector field $Z$ in Minkowski space, a timelike surface is said to have a canonical null direction with respect to $Z$ if the projection of $Z$ on the tangent space of the surface gives a lightlike vector field. In this…
We reformulate the standard local equations of general relativity for asymptotically flat spacetimes in terms of two non-local quantities, the holonomy $H$ around certain closed null loops on characteristic surfaces and the light cone cut…
Linear perturbations on Minkowski space are used to probe numerically the remote region of an asymptotically flat space-time close to spatial infinity. The study is undertaken within the framework of Friedrich's conformal field equations…
In asymptotically Minkowski space-times, one finds a surprisingly rich interplay between geometry and physics in both the classical and quantum regimes. On the mathematical side it involves null geometry, infinite dimensional groups,…
Minkowski space is a physically important space-time for which the finding an adequate holographic description is an urgent problem. In this paper we develop further the proposal made in hep-th/0303006 for the description as a duality…
We show that (specifically scaled) equations of shear-free null geodesic congruences on the Minkowski space-time possess intrinsic self-dual, restricted gauge and algebraic structures. The complex eikonal, Weyl 2-spinor, $SL(2,\mathbb C)$…
We develop the framework that reveals the intrinsic conserved stress tensor and current associated with the null infinity of a three-dimensional ($3d$) asymptotically flat spacetime. These are, respectively, canonical conjugates of…
It was shown that the Lie algebra underlying higher-spin holography admits a contraction including a Poincar\'e subalgebra in any space-time dimensions. The associated curvatures, however, do not reproduce upon linearisation those that are…
4-dimensional spaces equipped with 2-dimensional (complex holomorphic or real smooth) completely integrable distributions are considered. The integral manifolds of such distributions are totally null and totally geodesics 2-dimensional…
We present a "holographic" reconstruction of bulk spacetime geometry using correlation functions of a massless field living at the "future boundary" of the spacetime, namely future null infinity $\mathscr{I}^+$. It is holographic in the…
Gravity is uniquely situated in between classical topological field theories and standard local field theories. This can be seen in the the quasi-local nature of gravitational observables, but is nowhere more apparent than in gravity's…
We review and further analyze Penrose's 'light cone at infinity' - the conformal closure of Minkowski space. Examples of a potential confusion in the existing literature about it's geometry and shape are pointed out. It is argued that it is…
It is shown that the space of null geodesics of a star-shaped causally simple subset of Minkowski space is contactomorphic to the canonical contact structure in the spherical cotangent bundle of $\mathbb{R}^n$. In the $3$-dimensional case…
We discuss plane wave backgrounds of string theory and their relation to Goedel-like universes. This involves a twisted compactification along the direction of propagation of the wave, which induces closed timelike curves. We show, however,…
In the Minkowski space-time, a world hyper-sheet is a timelike hypersurface consisting of a one-parameter family of spacelike submanifolds. Recently, Bousso and Randall introduced the notion of caustics of world hyper-sheets in order to…
A comprehensive analysis of general relativistic spacetimes which admit a shear-free, irrotational and geodesic timelike congruence is presented. The equations governing the models for a general energy-momentum tensor are written down.…
The Spi framework provides a 4-dimensional approach to investigate the asymptotic properties of gravitational fields as one recedes from isolated systems in any space-like direction, without reference to a Cauchy surface. It is well suited…