Physics[Decompose] - decomposes a 4D tensorial expression into 3 + 1, regarding both its free and contracted (repeated) indices
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Calling Sequence
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Decompose(expression, ...)
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Parameters
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expression
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any algebraic tensorial expression having spacetime free indices possibly having also repeated indices implying summation, or an equation, relation, list, set or matrix of such expressions
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freeindices = ...
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optional, the right-hand side can be true (default) or false or a list indicating the free indices to be decomposed and the ordering (relevant when expression involves products and sums of tensors with free indices). When true, a 3 + 1 decomposition of the free indices is performed and, when equal to false, the free indices are not decomposed and the output is an expression as the input, not an Array
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repeatedindices = ...
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optional, can be true (default) or false or a list indicating indicating which repeated indices are to be decomposed into 3 + 1; when equal to false, the repeated indices are not decomposed.
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simplifier = ...
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optional - indicates the simplifier to be used; default is none
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Description
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The Decompose receives a tensorial expression having n free indices, and returns a corresponding n dimensional Array, which can be indexed as a single object to return the values of the tensorial expression for given values of the n free indices. When there are no free indices, the returned output is not an Array but of the same type of expression.
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In the Array returned by Decompose, the 4D indices can assume the values 1 and 2 where, when the position of the time-like-component in the signature is 1 (e.g. the signature is ) , the value 1 returns the time component and the value 2 returns the 3D (space part) of the 4D tensorial expression, expressed using 3D space indices. If the position of the time-like-component in the signature is equal to the spacetime dimension (e.g. the signature is ), then the values 1 and 2 of the Array indices get reversed.
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To check and determine the free and repeated indices of an expression use Check.
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By default, in the returned result, summation is explicitly performed over all the repeated indices found in expression by splitting 4D indices into 3D + 1, so for example , and the space indices are not summed up. To avoid this decomposition of 4D repeated indices pass the optional argument decomposerepeatedindices = false.
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By default, the Array is constructed without simplifying its components. To have them simplified, indicate the simplifier on the right-hand-side of the optional argument simplifier = .... A frequently convenient simplification is achieved with just simplifier = simplify.
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Examples
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>
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Define now an arbitrary tensor
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So is a 4D tensor with only one free index, where the position of the time-like component is indicated by the different sign in the signature
Accordingly, the 3+1 decomposition of is
The 3+1 decomposition of the inert representation %g_[mu,nu] of the 4D spacetime metric; use the inert representation when you do not want the actual components of the metric appearing in the output
Note the position of the component %g_[0, 0], related to the trailing position of the time-like component in the signature .
Compare the decomposition of the 4D inert with the decomposition of the 4D active spacetime metric
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The 3D space part of is actually equal to minus the 3D metric (equations (84.7) and (84.9) of Landau's book [1])
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To derive the formula above for the covariant components of the 3D metric, Decompose into 3+1 the identity
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To the side, for illustration purposes, this is the 3 + 1 decomposition excluding the repeated indices, and excluding the free indices
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Compare with a full decomposition
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is a symmetric matrix of equations involving non-contracted occurrences of , and . Isolate, in , , that you input as %g_[~j, ~0], and substitute into
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Collect , that you input as %g_[~j, ~i]
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Since the right-hand side is the identity matrix and, from (27), , the expression between parenthesis, multiplied by -1, is the reciprocal of the contravariant 3D metric , that is the covariant 3D metric , in accordance to its definition for the signature
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See Also
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Check, coeff, Coordinates, Define, g_, gamma_, Physics, Physics conventions, Physics examples, Physics Updates, Tensors - a complete guide, Mini-Course Computer Algebra for Physicists, Setup, ThreePlusOne
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References
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Landau, L.D., and Lifshitz, E.M. The Classical Theory of Fields, Course of Theoretical Physics Volume 2, fourth revised English edition. Elsevier, 1975.
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Compatibility
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The Physics[Decompose] command was introduced in Maple 2017.
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