On local and global aspects of the Cauchy problem in general relativity (Q4701100)

This is a comprehensive review article on existence results for solutions to Einstein's vacuum field equation, with special emphasis on the question of global existence of asymptotically flat solutions. After discussing some local existence results, the authors concentrate on the Christodoulou-Klainerman theorem on the global stability of Minkowski space. This theorem states that asymptotically flat initial data for Einstein's vacuum field equation that are sufficiently close to the data for Minkowski space yield a geodesically complete Cauchy development. In terms of physics, this result may be interpreted as saying that a sufficiently weak localized gravitational wave does not lead to spacetime singularities. Although in perfect agreement with physical intuition, this result is highly non-trivial from a mathematical point of view. As a matter of fact, the original proof fills a whole book [see \textit{D. Christodoulou} and \textit{S. Klainerman}, The global nonlinear stability of the Minkowski space, Princeton University Press (1993; Zbl 0827.53055)]. In the article under review, a somewhat modified proof of the Christodoulou-Klainerman theorem is outlined. In the original version the desired solution to Einstein's field equation was constructed together with (a) a maximal spacelike foliation, generalizing the standard foliation into surfaces \(t\) = const. in Minkowski space; (b) a so called optical function \(u\), i.e., a solution \(u\) of the eikonal equation that generalizes the outgoing null function \(u = r - t\) on Minkowski space. In the new version, two optical functions are used instead of \(t\) and \(u\), and the symmetry of Einstein's equation with respect to interchanging these two optical functions is widely used. A complete presentation of this new proof, which is shorter and more transparent than the original one, is announced to be published elsewhere. In this review article, the authors quite generally do not endeavor to give full proofs of all results, but they take some pains to clearly present the basic mathematical ideas. The article is certainly very useful for people interested in initial value problems or in asymptotic techniques in general relativity.