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arxiv: gr-qc/9807001 · v1 · pith:EOYBDS5Ynew · submitted 1998-07-01 · 🌀 gr-qc

An explanation of the Newman-Janis Algorithm

classification 🌀 gr-qc
keywords metricalgorithmnewman-janissolutionkerr-newmanequationskerronly
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After the original discovery of the Kerr metric, Newman and Janis showed that this solution could be ``derived'' by making an elementary complex transformation to the Schwarzschild solution. The same method was then used to obtain a new stationary axisymmetric solution to Einstein's field equations now known as the Kerr-newman metric, representing a rotating massive charged black hole. However no clear reason has ever been given as to why the Newman-Janis algorithm works, many physicist considering it to be an ad hoc procedure or ``fluke'' and not worthy of further investigation. Contrary to this belief this paper shows why the Newman-Janis algorithm is successful in obtaining the Kerr-Newman metric by removing some of the ambiguities present in the original derivation. Finally we show that the only perfect fluid generated by the Newman-Janis algorithm is the (vacuum) Kerr metric and that the only Petrov typed D solution to the Einstein-Maxwell equations is the Kerr-Newman metric.

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