Conformal methods in mathematical cosmology

Journal article : Review

When he first introduced the notion of a conformal boundary into the study of asymptotically empty space–times, Penrose noted that the boundary would be null, space-like or time-like according as the cosmological constant Λ was zero, positive or negative. While most applications of the idea of a conformal boundary have been to the zero-Λ, asymptotically Minkowskian case, there also has been work on the non-zero cases. Here, we review work with a positive Λ, which is the appropriate case for cosmology of the universe in which we live. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘At the interface of asymptotics, conformal methods and analysis in general relativity’.

Authors: Tod, P

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: The Royal Society
• Journal: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
• Volume: 382
• Issue: 2267
• Article number: 20230043
• Publication date: 2024-01-15
• Acceptance date: 2023-07-24
• DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2023.0043
• EISSN: 1471-2962
• ISSN: 1364503X, 1364-503X
• Language: English
• Keywords: conformal cyclic cosmology; conformal methods; mathematical cosmology; Weyl curvature hypothesis
• Subtype: Review