Example 1.
We find the Killing vectors for the metric for the Poincare half-plane.
We check the result using the LieDerivative command.
Alternatively, we can use the keyword argument output = to calculate the general Killing vector in terms of 3 arbitrary constants.
We calculate the structure equations for this Lie algebra of Killing vectors using the LieAlgebraData command, initialize the resulting Lie algebra, and check that it is semi-simple with the LieAlgebra Query command.
Example 2.
In this example we consider a metric which depends upon 2 parameters and . We find the Killing vectors of for different values of these parameters.
To invoke case-splitting, we use the keyword argument parameters. With this calling sequence KillingVectors will return a sequence of Killing vectors and, as the last element in the sequence, the special parameter values used to calculate these Killing vectors.
Four cases are found:
Case 1. 6 Killing vectors
Case 2. { 1 Killing vector
Case 3. 2 Killing vectors
Case 4. 1 Killing vector
The case defines the flat Euclidean metric. We can exclude this case by using the keyword argument auxiliaryequations.
Example 3.
In this example we consider a metric which depends upon an arbitrary function. We find the Killing vectors of for different values of this function.
We exclude the case f(x) = 0.
In the generic case where f(x) is arbitrary there is just 1 Killing vector. When f(x) is a constant there are 2 Killing vectors. If f(x) is a generic quadratic function there are 2 Killing vectors while if f(x) is a perfect square there are 3 Killing vectors. Let's check this last case by direct calculation.
Example 4.
We use an orthonormal frame to find the Killing vectors for the Godel metric. First we set up a 4-dimensional spacetime M with coordinates . Then we define a coframe, calculate the structure equations for this coframe, and initialize the result as a frame called "Godel".
Here is the Godel metric, first in the orthonormal frame and then in the coordinate frame (see Exact Solutions, page 178).
Here are the 5 Killing vectors for the Godel metric in the adapted frame.
Here are the structure equations for the Lie algebra of Killing vectors.
We can use the LieAlgebras package to decompose this Lie algebra. The command Decompose returns a basis in which the algebra is decomposed into a direct sum of subalgebras.