This is the only book on the subject of group theory and Einstein's theory of gravitation. It contains an extensive discussion on general relativity from the viewpoint of group theory and gauge fields. It also puts together in one volume many scattered, original works, on the use of group theory in general relativity theory.There are twelve chapters in the book. The first six are devoted to rotation and Lorentz groups, and their representations. They include the spinor representation as well as the infinite-dimensional representations. The other six chapters deal with the application of groups -particularly the Lorentz and the SL(2,C) groups - to the theory of general relativity. Each chapter is concluded with a set of problems.The topics covered range from the fundamentals of general relativity theory, its formulation as an SL(2,C) gauge theory, to exact solutions of the Einstein gravitational field equations. The important Bondi-Metzner-Sachs group, and its representations, conclude the book. The entire book is self-contained in both group theory and general relativity theory, and no prior knowledge of either is assumed.The subject of this book constitutes a relevant link between field theoreticians and general relativity theoreticians, who usually work rather independently of each other. The treatise is highly topical and of real interest to theoretical physicists, general relativists and applied mathematicians. It is invaluable to graduate students and research workers in quantum field theory, general relativity and elementary particle theory.
Reviews
"... the book is of assistance for everybody interested in group analysis and gauge formulations of gravity and certainly up to date because of the very thorough presentation of problems which never die and belong to the classics of the topic." General Relativity and Gravitation, 2003



Book Information
ISBN 9781860942341
Author Moshe Carmeli
Format Hardback
Page Count 412
Imprint Imperial College Press
Publisher Imperial College Press