Republication of: On the transition from wave optics to geometric optics in general relativity

This paper considers the relationship between electromagnetic waves and the geometric optics approximation in general relativity. The approximation is widely used in predictions of observations in astronomy and cosmology, for example in gravitational lensing and the cosmic microwave background. Its...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:General relativity and gravitation 2022-04, Vol.54 (4), Article 40
Main Author: Ehlers, Jürgen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Approximation
Astronomy
Astrophysics and Cosmology
Big Bang theory
Classical and Quantum Gravitation
Cosmic microwave background
Cosmology
Differential Geometry
Electromagnetic radiation
Geometrical optics
Golden Oldie
Gravitational lenses
Gravity
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical and Computational Physics
Optics
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Quantum Physics
Relativity
Relativity Theory
Theoretical
Theory of relativity
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Summary:This paper considers the relationship between electromagnetic waves and the geometric optics approximation in general relativity. The approximation is widely used in predictions of observations in astronomy and cosmology, for example in gravitational lensing and the cosmic microwave background. Its properties are thus of considerable significance. The paper’s author was a Golden Oldies board member and a prominent author and editor for Springer. It complements other Golden Oldies by Ehlers showing the importance and influence of his attention to issues concerning the relation of exact physical theories and their approximations.
ISSN:0001-7701
1572-9532
DOI:10.1007/s10714-021-02894-0