Conformal symmetries in static spherically symmetric spacetimes (Q1909302)

The authors consider the problem of finding the solutions for the vector field \(X\) of the conformal Killing equation \({\mathcal L}_x g = 2 \psi g\) on a spacetime \((M,g)\) where \(\Psi : M \to \mathbb{R}\), and where this spacetime is static and spherically symmetric and represented in the local form \[ ds^2 = - e^{2v (r)} dt^2 + e^{2 \gamma (r)} dr^2 + r^2 (d \theta^2 + \sin^2 \theta d \varphi^2). \] They reduce the conformal Killing equation, in these coordinates, to a system of differential equations for \(\psi\) and the components of \(X\) in terms of \(r, \theta, \psi\). The general solution of this system for the components of \(X^a\) and \(\psi\) is given (the details being available in \textit{R. Maartens} and \textit{S. D. Maharaj} [Classical Quantum Gravity 8, No. 3, 503-514 (1991; Zbl 0733.53054)] together with certain integrability conditions. Certain special cases are then considered. For example, when \(\psi\) is set to be identically zero, the 4 independent Killing vector fields familiar for such spacetimes are achieved. The general solution is also linked with a certain ansatz regarding the existence of conformal vector fields in static spherically symmetric spacetimes.