Birkhoff's theorem (relativity)

In general relativity, Birkhoff's theorem states that any spherically symmetric solution of the vacuum field equations must be static and asymptotically flat. This means that the exterior solution must be given by the Schwarzschild metric.

Related Topics:
General relativity - Spherically symmetric solution - Vacuum field equations - Static - Asymptotically flat - Exterior solution - Schwarzschild metric

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The theorem was proven in 1923 by G. D. Birkhoff (author of an even more famous Birkhoff theorem, the pointwise ergodic theorem which lies at the foundation of ergodic theory). However, Stanley Deser recently pointed out that it was published two years earlier by a little-known Norwegian physicist, Jørg Tofte Jebsen.

Related Topics:
G. D. Birkhoff - Ergodic theory - Stanley Deser - Jørg Tofte Jebsen

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