The Einstein pseudo-tensor and the flux integral for perturbed static space-times

Abstract

The flux integral for axisymmetric polar perturbations of static vacuum space-times, derived in an earlier paper directly from the relevant linearized Einstein equations, is rederived with the aid of the Einstein pseudo-tensor by a simple algorism. A similar earlier effort with the aid of the Landau–Lifshitz pseudo-tensor failed. The success with the Einstein pseudo-tensor is due to its special distinguishing feature that its second variation retains its divergence-free property provided only the equations governing the static space-time and its linear perturbations are satisfied. When one seeks the corresponding flux integral for Einstein‒Maxwell space-times, the common procedure of including, together with the pseudo-tensor, the energy‒momentum tensor of the prevailing electromagnetic field fails. But, a prescription due to R. Sorkin, of including instead a suitably defined ‘Noether operator’, succeeds.