Einstein's equation and geometric asymptotics

Abstract

The intimate relations between Einstein's equation, conformal geometry, geometric asymptotics, and the idea of an isolated system in general relativity have been pointed out by Penrose many years ago. A detailed analysis of the interplay of conformal geometry with Einstein's equation allowed us to deduce from the conformal properties of the field equations a method to derive under various assumptions definite statements about the feasibility of the idea of geometric asymptotics. More recent investigations have demonstrated the possibility to analyse the most delicate problem of the subject -- the behaviour of asymptotically flat solutions to Einstein's equation in the region where ``null infinity meets space-like infinity'' -- to an arbitrary precision. Moreover, we see now that the, initially quite abstract, analysis yields methods for dealing with practical issues. Numerical calculations of complete space-times in finite grids without cut-offs become feasible now. Finally, already at this stage it is seen that the completion of these investigations will lead to a clarification and deeper understanding of the idea of an isolated system in Einstein's theory of gravitation. In the following I wish to give a survey of the circle of ideas outlined above, emphasizing the interdependence of the structures and the naturalness of the concepts involved.