Stability by linearization of Einstein's field equation (Q1037771)

The purpose of this monograph is to present background material leading to the authors' results on linearization stability of the Robertson-Walker (or FLRW) solution [J. Math. Phys. 40, No. 10, 5117--5130 (1999; Zbl 0982.83008), 40, No. 10, 5131--5137 (1999; Zbl 0982.83009)] and [J. Math. Phys. 46, No. 7, 072501, 21 p. (2005; Zbl 1110.58025)]. These results are described in the eighth and last chapter. The first two chapters include material on differential geometry and Einstein's equations. Perhaps in anticipation of the introduction of cosmic time in the Robertson-Walker solution, the authors state on page 23 that, according to them, a ``physical reference system is constituted by\dots [t]hree perpendicular coordinate axes moving in ordinary space'' with a ``synchronization'' condition. This appeal to pre-relativistic notions is unfortunate. Chapter~3 recalls the linearization of Einstein's equations about the Minkowski solution, and Chapter~4 the solution of the Cauchy problem via reduction to a symmetric-hyperbolic system. Chapter~5 gives the definition of linearization stability used by the authors; earlier results are given in Chapters 6 and 7. In the application, to perfect fluids, it is assumed that one may choose a hypersurface \(M\) such that, ``at each point \(x\in M\), the vector field \(u\) of velocities of the initial fluid\dots is perpendicular to \(M\) with respect to the initial metric\dots'' (p.~118, lines 6--8). Not all the results are fully proved, but references are given. Similarly, not all aspects of the problem are addressed fully.