Inhomogeneous Electromagnetic Wave Equation - Curved Spacetime

Curved Spacetime

The electromagnetic wave equation is modified in two ways in curved spacetime, the derivative is replaced with the covariant derivative and a new term that depends on the curvature appears (SI units).

where

is the Ricci curvature tensor. Here the semicolon indicates covariant differentiation. To obtain the equation in cgs units, replace the permeability with .

Generalization of the Lorenz gauge condition in curved spacetime is assumed

.

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