Hyperbolic Equations and General Relativity

This work is divided into three parts. In the first part, the hyperbolic equations'' theory is analysed, the second part concerns the Cauchy problem in General Relativity, whereas the third part gives a modern perspective of General Relativity. In the first part, the study of systems of partial differential equations allows the introduction of the concept of wave-like propagation and the definition of hyperbolic equation is given. Thus, once the definition of Riemann kernel is given, Riemann''s method to solve a hyperbolic equation in two variables is shown. The discussion moves on the fundamental solutions and its relation to Riemann kernel is pointed out. Therefore, the study of the fundamental solutions concludes by showing how to build them providing some examples of solution with odd and even number of variables. Moreover, the fundamental solution of the scalar wave equation with smooth initial conditions is studied. In the second part, following the work of Fourès-Bruhat, the problem of finding a solution to the Cauchy problem for Einstein field equations in vacuum with non-analytic initial data is presented by first studying under which assumptions second-order systems of partial differential equations, linear and hyperbolic, with n functions and four variables admit a solution. Hence, it is shown how to turn non-linear systems of partial differential equations into linear systems of the same type for which the previous results hold. These considerations allow us to prove the existence and uniqueness of the solution to the Cauchy problem for Einstein''s vacuum field equations with non-analytic initial data. Eventually, the causal structure of space-time is studied. The definitions of strong causality, stable causality and global hyperbolicity are given and the relation between the property of global hyperbolicity and the existence of Cauchy surfaces is stressed. In the third part, Riemann's method is used to study the news function describing the gravitational radiation produced in axisymmetric black hole collisions at the speed of light. More precisely, since the perturbative field equations may be reduced to equations in two independent variables, as was proved by D''Eath and Payne, the Green function can be analysed by studying the corresponding second-order hyperbolic operator with variable coefficients. Thus, an integral representation of the solution in terms of the Riemann kernel function can be given.