# Bondi, van der Burg, Metzner ## Gravitational waves in general relativity, VII. Waves from axi-symmetric isolated system \[Links: [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.1962.0161)\] \[Abstract: This paper is divided into four parts. In part A, some general considerations about gravitational radiation are followed by a treatment of the scalar wave equation in the manner later to be applied to Einstein’s field equations. In part B, a co-ordinate system is specified which is suitable for investigation of outgoing gravitational waves from an isolated axi-symmetric reflexion-symmetric system . The metric is expanded in negative powers of a suitably defined radial co-ordinate _r_, and the vacuum field equations are investigated in detail. It is shown that the flow of information to infinity is controlled by a single function of two variables called the news function. Together with initial conditions specified on a light cone, this function fully defines the behaviour of the system . No constraints of any kind are encountered. In part C, the transformations leaving the metric in the chosen form are determined. An investigation of the corresponding transformations in Minkowski space suggests that no generality is lost by assuming that the transformations, like the metric, may be expanded in negative powers of _r_. In part D, the mass of the system is defined in a way which in static metrics agrees with the usual definition. The principal result of the paper is then deduced, namely, that the mass of a system is constant if and only if there is no news; if there is news, the mass decreases monotonically so long as it continues. The linear approximation is next discussed, chiefly for its heuristic value, and employed in the analysis of a receiver for gravitational waves. Sandwich waves are constructed, and certain non-radiative but non-static solutions are discussed. This part concludes with a tentative classification of time-dependent solutions of the types considered.\] ## Refs - one of the two original pieces for [[0064 BMS group|BMS]], the other being [[1962#Sachs]] # Sachs ## Gravitational waves in general relativity VIII. Waves in asymptotically flat space-time \[Links: [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.1962.0206)\] \[Abstract: Gravitational fields containing bounded sources and gravitational radiation are examined by analyzing their properties at spatial infinity. A convenient way of splitting the metric tensor and the Einstein field equations, applicable in any space-time, is first introduced. Then suitable boundary conditions are set. The group of co-ordinate transformations that preserves the boundary conditions is analyzed. Different possible gravitational fields are characterized intrinsically by a combination of (i) characteristic initial data, and (ii) Dirichlet data at spatial infinity. To determine a particular solution one must specify four functions of three variables and three functions of two variables; these functions are not subject to constraints. A method for integrating the field equations is given; the asymptotic behaviour of the metric and Riemann tensors for large spatial distances is analyzed in detail; the dynamical variables of the radiation modes are exhibited; and a superposition principle for the radiation modes of the gravitational field is suggested. Among the results are: (i) the group of allowed co-ordinate transformations contains the inhomogeneous orthochronous Lorentz group as a subgroup; (ii) each of the five leading terms in an asymptotic expansion of the Riemann tensor has the algebraic structure previously predicted from analyzing the Petrov classification; (iii) gravitational waves appear to carry mass away from the interior; (iv) time-dependent periodic solutions of the field equations which obey the stated boundary conditions do not exist. It was found that the general fields studied in the present work are in many ways very similar to the axially symmetric fields recently studied by Bondi, van der Burg & Metzner.\] ## Refs - one of the two original pieces for [[0064 BMS group|BMS]], the other being [[1962#Bondi, van der Burg, Metzner]]