The Weyl–Lanczos equations and the Lanczos wave equation in four dimensions as systems in involution

Abstract

The Weyl–Lanczos equations in four dimensions form a system in involution. We compute its Cartan characters explicitly and use Janet–Riquier theory to confirm the results in the case of all space–times with a diagonal metric tensor and for the plane wave limit of space–times. We write the Lanczos wave equation as an exterior differential system and, with assistance from Janet–Riquier theory, we compute its Cartan characters and find that it forms a system in involution. We compare these Cartan characters with those of the Weyl-Lanczos equations. All results hold for the real analytic case.