SURVEY OF GRAVITATIONAL RADIATION THEORY

Abstract : A survey, to early 1960, of the convariant part of gravitational radiation theory is presented. This survey is aimed at at those with a working knowledge o general relativity. Approaches to gravitational ra iation problems through weak field and other approximation methods and through the use of special co rdinate conditions are not discussed. Most attention is given to (1) the theory of gravitational wave-fronts; (2) the algebraic and differential properties of the Riemann tensor and their implications for wave propagation; (3) exact vacuum metrics representing gravitational waves. It is to be concluded that the present theory gives a goo understanding of wave propagation in a wide class of somewhat idealized situations, and some strong indications of the be aviour of actual gravitational radiation fields. The satisfactory development of the theory awaits the discovery of exact vacuum metrics representing radiation from isolated finite systems. (Author)