Generalization of a Theorem by Goldberg and Sachs

Abstract

A connection is established between algebraic degeneracy of the Weyl tensor, the existence of a null geodesic shear‐free congruence, and certain restrictions on the Ricci tensor which are weaker than the gravitational equations for empty space. The result is roughly, with some important qualifications, that any two of these conditions imply the third. These restrictions on the metric are shown to be invariant under conformal transformations.