Some exact solutions of gravitational waves coupled with fluid motions

Abstract

Abstract Some exact solutions of Einstein’s equations are found which represent the interaction of gravitational waves with a perfect fluid in which the velocity of sound equals the velocity of light. These solutions, unlike the solutions representing the collision of impulsive gravitational waves, are bounded by a space–time singularity and have some resemblance to cosmological solutions: every time-like trajectory, extended into the past, encounters the singularity. Moreover, in the generic case, matter may be considered as being created at the singularity.