On the Weyl and Ricci tensors of Generalized Robertson-Walker space-times

Abstract

We prove theorems about the Ricci and the Weyl tensors on Generalized Robertson-Walker space-times of dimension n ≥ 3. In particular, we show that the concircular vector introduced by Chen decomposes the Ricci tensor as a perfect fluid term plus a term linear in the contracted Weyl tensor. The Weyl tensor is harmonic if and only if it is annihilated by Chen’s vector, and any of the two conditions is necessary and sufficient for the Generalized Robertson-Walker (GRW) space-time to be a quasi-Einstein (perfect fluid) manifold. Finally, the general structure of the Riemann tensor for Robertson-Walker space-times is given, in terms of Chen’s vector. In n = 4, a GRW space-time with harmonic Weyl tensor is a Robertson-Walker space-time.