Skip to main content
Log in

The development of ideas in twistor theory

  • Published:
International Journal of Theoretical Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents a review of the main concepts of twistor theory. The emphasis is on the evolution of the subject from the original motivating ideas to the more recent work. In particular the physical and philosophical reasoning behind the use of the various mathematical structures is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Eastwood, M. G., Penrose, R., and Wells, R. O., Jr. (1981).Communications of Mathematical Physics,78, 305–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughston, L. P., and Ward, R. S., eds. (1979).Advances in Twistor Theory. Pitman, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ko, M., Ludvigsen, M., Newman, E. T., and Tod, K. P. (1979). The theory ofH-space,Physics Reports,71, 51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penrose, R. (1965). Zero rest-mass fields including gravitation: asymptotic behaviour,Proceedings of the Royal Society of London,A284, 159–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penrose, R. (1967). Twistor algebra,Journal of Mathematical Physics,8, 345–366.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penrose, R. (1968a). Structure of space-time, inBattelle Rencontres, C. M. DeWitt and J. A. Wheeler, eds., pp. 121–235. Benjamin, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penrose, R. (1968b). Twistor quantisation and curved space-time,International Journal of Theoretical Physics,1, 61–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penrose, R. (1971). Angular momentum: An approach to combinatorial space-time, inQuantum Theory and Beyond, T. Bastin, ed., pp. 151–180. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penrose, R. (1972a). On the nature of quantum geometry, inMagic without Magic: J. A. Wheeler, J. R. Klander, ed., pp. 333–354. Freeman, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penrose, R. (1972b). The geometry of impulsive gravitational waves, inGeneral relativity: papers in honour of J. L. Synge, L. O'Raifeartaigh, ed., pp. 101–115. Clarendon Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penrose, R. (1974). Relativistic symmetry groups, inGroup theory in non-linear problems, A. O. Barut, ed., pp. 1–58. D. Reidel, Dordrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penrose, R. (1976). Nonlinear gravitons and curved twistor theory,General Relativity Gravitation,7, 31–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penrose, R. (1980). Null hypersurface initial data for classical fields of arbitrary spin and for general relativity,General Relativity and Gravitation,12, 225–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penrose, R. (1981). Physical left-right symmetry and googlies, inTwistor newsletter 12, Oxford: preprint.

  • Penrose, R., and Ward, R. S. (1980). Twistors for flat and curved space-time, inGeneral Relativity and Gravitation, One Hundred Years after the Birth of Albert Einstein, A. Held, ed. Plenum Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, I. (1961). Null electromagnetic fields,Journal of Mathematical Physics,2, 290–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, I., and Trautman, A. (1962). Some spherical gravitational waves in general relativity,Proceedings of the Royal Society of London,A265, 463–473.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, R. S. (1977). Curved twistor spaces, Oxford, D. Phil. thesis.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Huggett, S.A. The development of ideas in twistor theory. Int J Theor Phys 24, 391–400 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00670806

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00670806

Keywords

Navigation