Scattering of complex gravitino test fields from a gravitational pulse

Abstract

Gravitational pulse waves are defined as step functions at the boundaries. In this setting, linearized Rarita–Schwinger equations are precisely solved in Rosen coordinates. It is found that the gravitino’s energy–momentum varies with the sandwich wave’s shape. The gravitino’s energy density will decrease as it crosses the sandwich wave at the test field level since the background won’t change.