Variational methods and gravitational waves
Abstract
A method used to obtain approximate solutions to the Einstein field equations which can be interpreted as containing high-frequency gravitational waves is reviewed. It involves applying Whitham's technique for dealing with the 'two-timing' approximation scheme by means of an averaged Lagrangian. The method is also applied in a somewhat different form in the present work. The problems that arise when it is not assumed that the unperturbed metric is slowly varying are discussed in connection with this application.
- Publication:
-
Gravitational Waves and Radiations
- Pub Date:
- 1974
- Bibcode:
- 1974gwr..conf...57T
- Keywords:
-
- Einstein Equations;
- Gravitational Waves;
- Plane Waves;
- Variational Principles;
- Wave Propagation;
- Approximation;
- Calculus Of Variations;
- Dependent Variables;
- Differential Equations;
- Euler-Lagrange Equation;
- High Frequencies;
- Perturbation Theory;
- Space-Time Functions;
- Stress Tensors;
- Astrophysics