Chronogeometry of an electromagnetic wave given by a bi-invariant metric on the oscillator group (Q1081860)

A metric corresponding to a Lie algebra is called bi-invariant if it can be transported on the group using not only the left translations, but also the right ones. In a previous paper \textit{A. K. Guts} and the author [Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR 277, No.6, 1299-1303 (1984; Zbl 0585.53055)] established that of all four-dimensional real Lie groups only four admit a bi-invariant Lorentz metric, two of which are already well studied. Here the author considers one of the remaining two cases, namely the manifold of the oscillator group G, i.e. \(G_ 4III\) \((q=0)\) in the Petrov classification of the groups of motion. It is found that the spacetime G is a special case of the vacuum Einstein-Maxwell waves. Geodesics in G are studied, the Penrose focusing effect for lightlike geodesics is confirmed, and it is found that causality in G is well defined. The causal structure of G determines its conformal geometry in accordance with a theorem à la A. D. Alexandrov.