# Gauss' theorem for null boundaries

Note: I have solved this problem on my own, mostly while actually typing it in here, as I was stuck with this problem previously. This is however quite important for my research, so I nontheless would like to verify the correctness of my solution, hence I went forth with posting this "question". If this goes against site principles then please vote close on the question.

Introductions: Let $(M,g)$ be a Riemannian manifold with boundary (or a Lorentzian/pseudo-Riemannian manifold whose boundary is timelike or spacelike everywhere). Gauss' theorem then states that $$\int_M\text{div}(X)\mu_g=\int_{\partial M}\langle X,n\rangle\mu_h,$$ where $\mu_g$ is the volume form associated with $g$, $\mu_h$ is the volume form associated with the induced metric $h$, and $n$ is the unit normal vector field along the boundary.

This theorem is also available in an intermediate step between Stokes' theorem and the form I have given above. Since $\mathcal{L}_X\mu_g=\text{div}(X)\mu_g$, but $\mathcal{L}_X\mu_g=\mathrm{d}i_X\mu_g+i_X\mathrm{d}\mu_g=\mathrm{d}i_X\mu_g$, we have $$\int_M\text{div}(X)\mu_g=\int_M\mathrm{d}i_X\mu_g=\int_{\partial M}\phi^*(i_X\mu_g),$$ where $\phi$ is the inclusion $\phi:\partial M\rightarrow M$.

The problem: I wish to use Gauss' theorem on a Lorentzian manifold, whose boundary is a null surface. Then the normal vector is also tangent, the induced metric is degenerate, and the induced volume is zero. Durr. The "intermediate" form of the Gauss' theorem still applies though, so I seek to use it to define a version of Gauss' theorem which, instead of using the normal vector $n$, it will use an arbitrary transverse vector field $N$, which is surely not tangent to $\partial M$.

Proposed solution: If $e_1,...,e_{n-1}$ is a positively oriented frame on $\partial M$, then $X$ is locally decomposible as $X=\langle X,N\rangle N+Y$, where $Y=Y^ie_i$, furthermore, I assume if $N$ is globally defined then this decomposition also applies globally in the general form $X=\langle X,N\rangle N+Y$, where $Y$ is tangent to $\partial M$. (Is this assumption correct?).

Then plugging $X$ into $\mu_g$ gives $$i_X\mu_g(e_1,...,e_{n-1})=\mu_g(\langle X,N\rangle N+Y,e_1,...,e_{n-1})=\langle X,N\rangle\mu_g(N,e_1,...,e_{n-1})= \\=\langle X,N\rangle i_N\mu_g(e_1,...,e_{n-1})$$ where the term involving $Y$ is annihilated, because if $Y$ is tangent to $\partial M$, then the arguments of $\mu_g$ are linearly dependent.

So from this we have $$\int_M\text{div}(X)\mu_g=\int_{\partial M}\langle X,N\rangle \phi^*(i_N\mu_g),$$ so apparantly $i_N\mu_g$ is such a volume form for $\partial M$, that Gauss' theorem with $N$ instead of $n$ applies.

I also want to obtain a local coordinate formula for this, so if $(U,x^\mu)$ is a local chart for $M$, and $(V,y^i)$ is a local chart for $\partial M$, then in the relevant chart domains we have $$i_N\mu_g=i_N(\sqrt{-g}\mathrm{d}x^1\wedge...\wedge\mathrm{d}x^n)=i_N(n!^{-1}\sqrt{-g}\epsilon_{\mu_1...\mu_n}\mathrm{d}x^{\mu_1}\wedge...\wedge\mathrm{d}x^{\mu_n})=\\=i_N(\sqrt{-g}\epsilon_{\mu_1...\mu_n}\mathrm{d}x^{\mu_1}\otimes...\otimes\mathrm{d}x^{\mu_n})=\sqrt{-g}N^{\mu_1}\epsilon_{\mu_1...\mu_n}\mathrm{d}x^{\mu_2}\otimes...\otimes\mathrm{d}x^{\mu_n}=\\=\frac{1}{(n-1)!}\sqrt{-g}N^\mu\epsilon_{\mu\mu_2...\mu_n}\mathrm{d}x^{\mu_2}\wedge...\wedge\mathrm{d}x^{\mu_n}.$$ Now pulling back gives $$\phi^*(i_N\mu_g)=\frac{1}{(n-1)!}\sqrt{-g}\epsilon_{\mu\mu_2...\mu_n}N^\mu\frac{\partial x^{\mu_2}}{\partial y^{i_1}}...\frac{\partial x^{\mu_n}}{\partial y^{i_{n-1}}}\mathrm{d}y^{i_1}\wedge...\wedge\mathrm{d}y^{i_{n-1}} .$$ Now, the matrix $e^\mu_{(i)}=\partial x^\mu/\partial y^i$ maybe identified (with a bit of abuse of notation regarding tangent maps) as the $\mu$th component of the $i$-th coordinate basis vector field on the boundary $\partial M$, with the components being taken with respect to the coordinate system $\{x^\mu\}$.

Then, by the definition of determinants we have $\epsilon_{\mu\mu_2...\mu_n}N^\mu e^{\mu_2}_{i_1}...e^{\mu_n}_{i_{n-1}}=\det(N,e_{(i_1)},...,e_{(i_{n-1})})$, so $$\phi^*(i_N\mu_g)=\frac{1}{(N-1)!}\sqrt{-g}\det(N,e_{(i_1)},...,e_{(i_{n-1})})\mathrm{d}y^{i_1}\wedge...\wedge\mathrm{d}y^{i_{n-1}}=\\=\sqrt{-g}\det(N,e_1,...,e_{n-1})d^{n-1}y,$$ so the modified Gauss' theorem in coordinates is (assuming $M$ can be covered by a single chart) $$\int_M \text{div}(X)\sqrt{-g}d^nx=\int_{\partial M}X^\mu N_\mu\sqrt{-g}\det(N,e_1,...,e_{n-1})d^{n-1}y$$.

Questions:

• Is this derivation correct?

• I can work with the form I have gotten, but I don't like the determinant factor in it. Is there any way I can express that in a more pleasant form?

• In case the derivation is incorrect, how can I get a formula I can work with in coordinate notation that does what I want?

Edit: As per the discussion in the comments, I have also posted this question to Math Overflow.

• Such a question should be in mathoverflow. Saying from experience: it would be beneficial to both you and the community. – Landon Carter Aug 4 '16 at 16:59
• @LandonCarter I wasn't sure this is high level enough for MO, but you might be right. Is it possible to directly migrate the question somehow? I also have an MO account, but as far as I recall, MO is somewhat independent of Stack Exchange. – Bence Racskó Aug 4 '16 at 17:02
• Trust me, there are lower level questions on MO than this. I don't know if you can migrate but I would just go for a Cut-Paste :P But, in all likelihood, the question will get better answers on that site. – Landon Carter Aug 4 '16 at 17:03
• If you decide to post on MO, please consider deleting this one, or at least link the two questions. – user99914 Aug 4 '16 at 17:45
• @ArcticChar I have already posted on MO, since it might happen that this question would get a good answer here and not on MO, I wish to keep this open, unless the community decides to close it, however I will update the OP with the link to the question on MO. – Bence Racskó Aug 4 '16 at 17:50