On certain twisting type- <i>N</i> solutions of Einstein equations with pure radiation energy momentum tensor and nonvanishing shear (Q4797236)

In an attempt to find a superposition principle for nonlinear type-\(N\) gravitons, a class of twisting type-\(N\) solutions of Einstein's equations with pure radiation energy-momentum tensor was deduced by \textit{J. F. Plebański, M. Przanowski} and \textit{S. Formański} [Phys. Lett. A 246, 25-31 (1998; Zbl 0948.83015)]. We shall refer to them as PPF solutions. These authors also provided an explicit example of such a solution. It depends on two nonzero real parameters and a holomorphic function \(h\) of one complex variable \(y\). The purpose of the present paper is twofold. First, it is proved that the above mentioned example is a unique twisting PPF solution. Next, its geometric and physical properties are discussed. The PPF constraint is replaced by an infinite system of differential equations. The authors deal with the general essential solution of that system, where essential means a solution which leads to a metric tensor with a twist. The most general coordinate transformations which preserve the PPF form of \(ds^2\) are discussed. The authors point out the existence of a congruence of two-dimensional and totally geodesic surfaces, distinguished congruences of null geodesics and distinguished classes of freely falling observers. The PPF metric is represented as a perturbation of the flat background. Some features of the curvature's singularity and of distinguished geodesics are discussed. Another set of observers related to the asymptotic properties of the metric tensor is also introduced. The authors point out the transversality of the gravitational field. The argument is based on properties of the geodesic deviation vector along the world lines of mentioned above freely falling observers. To arrive on a physical interpretation of the PPF metrics, the authors employ comoving coordinate systems associated with the distinguished observers. Of particular interest is the case where \(h\) is holomorphic and nowhere vanishing in the whole complex plane of \(y\). Then there exists a natural way to refine the selection of comoving coordinates, which permits us to interpret the gravitational field, with some reservations, as a gravitational wave in an `expanding' half-space of a three-space. The wave is singular at the boundary of that half-space. Reversing the arrow of time one obtains a similar interpretation, however on a `contracting' half-space.