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arXiv · 1702.08284

Carroll symmetry of plane gravitational waves

C. Duval·G. W. Gibbons·P. A. Horvathy·P. -M. Zhang
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Abstract

The well-known 5-parameter isometry group of plane gravitational waves in $4$ dimensions is identified as Levy-Leblond's Carroll group in $2+1$ dimensions with no rotations. Our clue is that plane waves are Bargmann spaces into which Carroll manifolds can be embedded. We also comment on the scattering of light by a gravitational wave and calculate its electric permittivity considered as an impedance-matched metamaterial.

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C. Duval, G. W. Gibbons, P. A. Horvathy, P. -M. Zhang. 2017-02-27. Carroll symmetry of plane gravitational waves. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6382/aa7f62

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