In mathematical physics, the Peres metric is defined by the proper time

d τ 2 = d t 2 − 2 f ( t + z , x , y ) ( d t + d z ) 2 − d x 2 − d y 2 − d z 2 {\displaystyle {d\tau }^{2}=dt^{2}-2f(t+z,x,y)(dt+dz)^{2}-dx^{2}-dy^{2}-dz^{2}}

for any arbitrary function f. If f is a harmonic function with respect to x and y, then the corresponding Peres metric satisfies the Einstein field equations in vacuum. Such a metric is often studied in the context of gravitational waves.

The metric is named for Israeli physicist Asher Peres, who first defined it in 1959.

See also