Proof of a generalized Geroch conjecture for the hyperbolic Ernst equation (Q5943137)

The authors of this interesting paper investigate the Ernst equation of general relativity in Weyl canonical coordinates \(z,\rho \) expressed in the form \[ (\text{Re} {\mathcal E}) \{\partial ^2{\mathcal E}/\partial z^2\pm \rho^{-1}\partial /\partial \rho (\rho \partial {\mathcal E}/\partial \rho)\}= (\partial {\mathcal E}/\partial z)^2\pm (\partial {\mathcal E}/\partial \rho)^2, \] where the upper signs correspond to the elliptic equation associated with stationary axisymmetric (spinning body) gravitational fields and the lower signs correspond to the hyperbolic equation associated with colliding gravitational plane wave pairs and cylindrical gravitational waves. The Ernst potential is denoted by \(\mathcal E\). In 1972 R. Geroch asserted a conjecture concerning the solution manifold of the elliptic Ernst equation. The authors enunciate and prove precisely a generalization of Geroch's famous conjecture concerning analytic solutions of the elliptic Ernst equation. The generalization is stated for solutions of the hyperbolic Ernst equation which are not necessarily analytic, although it can be formulated also for solutions of the elliptic Ernst equation which are nowhere axis-accessible.