Spacetimes with continuous linear isotropies II: boosts

Abstract

Conditions are found which ensure that local boost invariance (LBI), invariance under a linear boost isotropy, implies local boost symmetry (LBS), i.e. the existence of a local group of motions such that for every point P in a neighbourhood there is a boost leaving P fixed. It is shown that for Petrov type D spacetimes this requires LBI of the Riemann tensor and its first derivative. That is also true for most conformally flat spacetimes, but those with Ricci tensors of Segre type [1(11,1)] may require LBI of the first three derivatives of curvature to ensure LBS.