Twisting type-N vacuum fields with a group H2H_2

We derive the equations corresponding to twisting type-N vacuum gravitational fields with one Killing vector and one homothetic Killing vector by using the same approach as that developed by one of us in order to treat the case with two non-commuting Killing vectors. We study the case when the homothetic parameter $\phi$ takes the value -1, which is shown to admit a reduction to a third-order real ordinary differential equation for this problem, similar to that previously obtained by one of us when two Killing vectors are present.Comment: LaTeX, 11 pages. To be published in Classical and Quantum Gravit

New first integral for twisting type-N vacuum gravitational fields with two non-commuting Killing vectors

A new first integral for the equations corresponding to twisting type-N vacuum gravitational fields with two non-commuting Killing vectors is introduced. A new reduction of the problem to a complex second-order ordinary differential equation is given. Alternatively, the mentioned first integral can be used in order to provide a first integral of the second-order complex equation introduced in a previous treatment of the problem.Comment: 7 pages, LaTeX, uses ioplppt.sty and iopl12.sty; to be published in Class. Quantum Gra

The odd side of torsion geometry

We introduce and study a notion of `Sasaki with torsion structure' (ST) as an odd-dimensional analogue of K\"ahler with torsion geometry (KT). These are normal almost contact metric manifolds that admit a unique compatible connection with 3-form torsion. Any odd-dimensional compact Lie group is shown to admit such a structure; in this case the structure is left-invariant and has closed torsion form. We illustrate the relation between ST structures and other generalizations of Sasaki geometry, and explain how some standard constructions in Sasaki geometry can be adapted to this setting. In particular, we relate the ST structure to a KT structure on the space of leaves, and show that both the cylinder and the cone over an ST manifold are KT, although only the cylinder behaves well with respect to closedness of the torsion form. Finally, we introduce a notion of `G-moment map'. We provide criteria based on equivariant cohomology ensuring the existence of these maps, and then apply them as a tool for reducing ST structures.Comment: 34 pages; v2: added a small generalization (Proposition 3.6) of the cone construction; two references added. To appear on Ann. Mat. Pura App

Magnetic Surfaces in Stationary Axisymmetric General Relativity

In this paper a new method is derived for constructing electromagnetic surface sources for stationary axisymmetric electrovac spacetimes endowed with non-smooth or even discontinuous Ernst potentials. This can be viewed as a generalization of some classical potential theory results, since lack of continuity of the potential is related to dipole density and lack of smoothness, to monopole density. In particular this approach is useful for constructing the dipole source for the magnetic field. This formalism involves solving a linear elliptic differential equation with boundary conditions at infinity. As an example, two different models of surface densities for the Kerr-Newman electrovac spacetime are derived.Comment: 15 page

New Non-Diagonal Singularity-Free Cosmological Perfect-Fluid Solution

We present a new non-diagonal G2 inhomogeneous perfect-fluid solution with barotropic equation of state p=rho and positive density everywhere. It satisfies the global hyperbolicity condition and has no curvature singularity anywhere. This solution is very simple in form and has two arbitrary constants.Comment: Latex, no figure

On some geometric features of the Kramer interior solution for a rotating perfect fluid

Geometric features (including convexity properties) of an exact interior gravitational field due to a self-gravitating axisymmetric body of perfect fluid in stationary, rigid rotation are studied. In spite of the seemingly non-Newtonian features of the bounding surface for some rotation rates, we show, by means of a detailed analysis of the three-dimensional spatial geodesics, that the standard Newtonian convexity properties do hold. A central role is played by a family of geodesics that are introduced here, and provide a generalization of the Newtonian straight lines parallel to the axis of rotation.Comment: LaTeX, 15 pages with 4 Poscript figures. To be published in Classical and Quantum Gravit

New Techniques for Analysing Axisymmetric Gravitational Systems. 1. Vacuum Fields

A new framework for analysing the gravitational fields in a stationary, axisymmetric configuration is introduced. The method is used to construct a complete set of field equations for the vacuum region outside a rotating source. These equations are under-determined. Restricting the Weyl tensor to type D produces a set of equations which can be solved, and a range of new techniques are introduced to simplify the problem. Imposing the further condition that the solution is asymptotically flat yields the Kerr solution uniquely. The implications of this result for the no-hair theorem are discussed. The techniques developed here have many other applications, which are described in the conclusions.Comment: 30 pages, no figure

Exterior Differential System for Cosmological G2 Perfect Fluids and Geodesic Completeness

In this paper a new formalism based on exterior differential systems is derived for perfect-fluid spacetimes endowed with an abelian orthogonally transitive G2 group of motions acting on spacelike surfaces. This formulation allows simplifications of Einstein equations and it can be applied for different purposes. As an example a singularity-free metric is rederived in this framework. A sufficient condition for a diagonal metric to be geodesically complete is also provided.Comment: 27 pages, 0 figures, LaTeX2e, to be published in Classical and Quantum Gravit

Multi-temporal unmixing analysis of Hyperion images over the Guanica Dry Forest

This paper presents a methodology to analyze time-series data from Hyperion to study seasonal vegetation dynamics on the Guánica Dry Forest in Puerto Rico. Unmixing analysis is performed over ten near-cloud-free Hyperion images collected in different months in 2008. Abundance maps and endmembers estimated from the unmixing procedure are used to analyze the seasonal changes in the forest. Results from the analysis are compared with published knowledge of the Guanica Forest phenology