Light-like parallel vector fields and Einstein’s equations of gravity
Abstract
We prove that, contrary to the situation with time-like and space-like parallel vector fields, there are real gravitational fields satisfying Einstein’s equations of gravity and admitting non-trivial light-like parallel vector fields; we solve completely the field equations under this geometric constraint and obtain through Bianchi identities an interesting property for the Riemann curvature tensor corresponding with a real gravitational field admitting a non-trivial parallel vector field. The solutions we obtained turn out to be generically wave-like and then we prove by a geometric method that this class of solutions is quite different from the class of solutions corresponding with spherical waves.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Advanced Differential Geometry Research
Relativity and Gravitational Theory
Geometric Analysis and Curvature Flows
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Rwanda Journal of Engineering Science Technology and Environment
- Volume
- 7
- Issue
- 2
- Publication date
- 10 February 2026
- Language
- EN