Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Colliding Plane Waves in Einstein–Maxwell Theory

  • Published:
Letters in Mathematical Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Recently, a simple solution of the vacuum Einstein–Maxwell field equations was given describing a plane electromagnetic shock wave sharing its wave front with a plane gravitational impulse wave. We present here an exact solution of the vacuum Einstein–Maxwell field equations describing the head-on collision of such a wave with a plane gravitational impulse wave. The solution has the Penrose–Khan solution and a solution obtained by Griffiths as separate limiting cases.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hogan, P. A.: Plane gravitational waves and Bertotti–Robinson spacetimes, Preprint, University College Dublin, 1997.

  2. Chandrasekhar, S. and Xanthopoulos, B. C.: Proc. Royal Soc. A 398 (1997), 223.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kramer, D., Stephani, H., MacCallum, M. A. H. and Herlt, E.: Exact Solutions of Einstein' Equations, VEB Deutscher Verlag der Wissenschaften, Berlin, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Griffiths, J. B.: Colliding Plane Waves in General Relativity, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  5. O'Brien, S. and Synge, J. L.: Comm. Dublin Inst. Adv. Stud. A, No. 9, 1952.

  6. Penrose, R. and Khan, K. A.: Nature 229 (1971), 185.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Griffiths, J. B.: Phys. Lett. A 54 (1975), 269.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mathematical Physics Department, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

    P. A. Hogan

  2. Physics Department, UFR Sciences, Université de Tours, 37200, France

    C. Barrabès & G. F. Bressange

Authors
  1. P. A. Hogan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. Barrabès
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. F. Bressange
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hogan, P.A., Barrabès, C. & Bressange, G.F. Colliding Plane Waves in Einstein–Maxwell Theory. Letters in Mathematical Physics 43, 263–265 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007484800963

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007484800963

Search

Navigation