Peeling of the Weyl tensor and gravitational radiation in higher dimensions

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the Weyl tensor behaves near null infinity in higher-dimensional asymptotically flat spacetimes, revealing differences from the 4D case and detailing the algebraic types of the tensor's leading terms.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the peeling behaviour of the Weyl tensor in higher dimensions, highlighting qualitative differences from the 4D case and extending the understanding of gravitational radiation.

Findings

Weyl tensor is type N to leading order near null infinity

First subleading term is type II

In 6+ dimensions, the next term is algebraically general; in 5D, an additional type N term appears

Abstract

The peeling behaviour of the Weyl tensor near null infinity is determined for an asymptotically flat higher dimensional spacetime. The result is qualitatively different from the peeling property in 4d. To leading order, the Weyl tensor is type N. The first subleading term is type II. The next term is algebraically general in 6 or more dimensions but in 5 dimensions another type N term appears before the algebraically general term. The Bondi energy flux is written in terms of "Newman-Penrose" Weyl components.