mathematics

Article
A Note on the Geometry of RW Space-Times
Sameh Shenawy 1,† , Uday Chand De 2,† and Nasser Bin Turki 3, *,†

1 Basic Science Department, Modern Academy for Engineering and Technology, Maadi 11585, Egypt;
[email protected]
2 Department of Pure Mathematics, University of Calcutta 35, Ballygaunge Circular Road,
Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India; [email protected]
3 Department of Mathematics, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455,
Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
* Correspondence: [email protected]
† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Abstract: A conformally flat GRW space-time is a perfect fluid RW space-time. In this note, we
investigated the influence of many differential curvature conditions, such as the existence of recurrent
and semi-symmetric curvature tensors. In each case, the form of the Ricci curvature tensor, the
energy–momentum tensor, the energy density, the pressure of the fluid, and the equation of state
are determined and interpreted. For example, it is demonstrated that a Ricci semi-symmetric RW
space-time reduces to Einstein space-time or a Ricci recurrent RW space-time, and the perfect fluid
space-time is referred to as Yang pure space-time or dark matter era.

Keywords: RW space-times; Ricci semi-symmetric; Ricci recurrent; projective curvature tensor

MSC: 53C25; 83F05

1. Introduction
One of the most significant areas of research in both mathematics and physics is the
geometry of generalized Robertson–Walker (or GRW) space-times. A warped product
Citation: Shenawy, S.; De, U.C.; Bin manifold with a one-dimensional base manifold serves as the representation of a GRW
Turki, N. A Note on the Geometry of space-time. The term Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker metrics, which accurately
RW Space-Times. Mathematics 2023, captures the contributions of different scientists to this issue, is currently used in physics
11, 1440. https://doi.org/10.3390/ for Robertson–Walker-type metrics. There are many exciting decomposition theorems on
math11061440 Lorentzian manifolds. The author of [1] described a particularly remarkable decomposition
Academic Editor: Christos G.
of a Lorentzian manifold to a GRW space-time. The existence of a time-like concircular
Massouros
vector field is sufficient for a Lorentzian manifold to be a GRW space-time. This condition
becomes weaker as follows in the presence of another condition [2]. If a unit time-like torse-
Received: 19 February 2023 forming vector field ω i that is an eigenvector of the Ricci tensor Sij exists on a Lorentzian
Revised: 12 March 2023 manifold M, then M is a GRW space-time. By a unit time-like torse-forming, we mean that
Accepted: 14 March 2023 there is a scalar function ϕ on M such that
Published: 16 March 2023
 
∇k ω j = ϕ ωk ω j + gkj , (1)

ω i ωi = −1. (2)
Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The factor ϕ coincides with the Hubble’s parameter H on a GRW space-time M. How
This article is an open access article
rapidly the universe is expanding is determined by Hubble’s parameter H (for a description
distributed under the terms and
of H and further information, see [3]). This torse-forming vector field is also an eigenvector
conditions of the Creative Commons
of the Ricci tensor Sij , that is, ω i Sij = ψω j where ψ is the corresponding eigenvalue of
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
ω j [1,2,4]. In [5], a GRW space-time Ricci tensor has been established to be
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).

Mathematics 2023, 11, 1440. https://doi.org/10.3390/math11061440 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/mathematics

Mathematics 2023, 11, 1440 2 of 13

S−ψ S − nψ
Sij = g + ω ω + (n − 2)ω k ω l Ckijl (3)
n − 1 ij n−1 i j
where Ckijl is the Weyl conformal curvature tensor and S is the scalar curvature. The
classical Robertson–Walker (or RW) space-time is a conformally flat GRW space-time,
which allows the Ricci curvature form to change as

S−ψ S − nψ
Sij = gij + ωω. (4)
n−1 n−1 i j
On the other hand, the Ricci tensor of a perfect fluid space-time has the form

Sij = αgij + βτi τj . (5)

Accordingto this equation, an RW space-time is a perfect fluid space-time where

S−ψ S − nψ
α= ,β = , τ = ωi . (6)
n−1 n−1 i
For further information about perfect fluid space-times and characterization of GRW
space-times and RW space-times, the reader is recommended to read [2,4–7]. An algebraic
curvature condition is that a space-time is a perfect fluid space-time [8]. Manifolds having
this algebraic curvature criterion are known as quasi-Einstein manifolds in differential
geometry [9]. However, there are additional types of differential curvature conditions that
can be used, such as the existence of recurrent and semi-symmetric curvature tensors. Many
alternative differential curvature conditions are examined in this article by using Riemann
and Ricci curvature tensors. In each case, the form of the Ricci tensor, energy–momentum
tensor, pressure, energy density and equation of state of the perfect fluid is given.

2. Notes on RW Space-Times
It is easy to obtain the scalar curvature of RW space-time, the eigenvalue of the Ricci
tensor corresponding to ω and the divergence of the one form ω as

S = nα − β, ψ = α − β (7)
j
∇ ωj = ( n − 1) ϕ (8)

It should be observed that the form (5) on an RW space-time has a perfect fluid
structure that is unique up to a sign. For this, we assume that there exists a vector field υ
that is time-like and
Sij = ᾱgij + β̄υi υ j .
Then,
 
ω i Sij = ᾱω j + β̄ ω i υi υ j
 
(ψ − ᾱ)ω j = β̄ ω i υi υ j .

Since any two time-like vectors can not be orthogonal to each other, ψ − ᾱ = β̄ = 0;
that is, M is Einstein, or ω j = ±υ j .
Einstein’s field equations without cosmological constant are

S
Sij − g = kTij
2 ij
where Tij is the energy–momentum tensor, and k is the gravitational constant. Thus,
S
αgij + βωi ω j − gij = kTij
  2
S
α− g + βωi ω j = kTij . (9)
2 ij
Mathematics 2023, 11, 1440 3 of 13

However, the energy–momentum tensor for a perfect fluid space-time with velocity
vector field ω is given by
Tij = pgij + ( p + µ)ωi ω j (10)
where p and µ are pressure and energy density, respectively [10]. Equations (9) and (10)
show that
S S−ψ S (3 − n)S − 2ψ
kp = α− = − = (11)
2 n−1 2 2( n − 1)
S − nψ
k( p + µ) = β= (12)
n−1
S − nψ (3 − n)S − 2ψ S − 2ψ
kµ = − = . (13)
n−1 2( n − 1) 2

3. Ricci Curvature Conditions on RW Space-Times

3.1. Semi-Symmetric Ricci Curvature
A space-time is called Ricci semi-symmetric if [11]

∇l ∇k Sij − ∇k ∇l Sij = 0.

Taking the covariant derivative of Equation (5) twice, one obtains

∇l ∇k Sij − ∇k ∇l Sij = ∇l ∇k αgij + βωi ω j − ∇k ∇l αgij + βωi ω j



= β ∇ l ∇ k ωi ω j − β ∇ k ∇ l ωi ω j
 
= β ωi (∇l ∇k − ∇k ∇l )ω j + ω j (∇l ∇k − ∇k ∇l )ωi . (14)

It is clear that this equation implies that an RW space-time is Ricci semi-symmetric

if and only if either β = 0 or ∇l ∇k ω j = ∇k ∇l ω j . Let us consider the first condition. It
is noted that β = 0 implies that an RW space-time is Einstein. The converse is also true.
Assume that the space-time is Einstein, then

S
g = αgij + (nα − S)ωi ω j ,
n ij
S
ω = (α − nα + S)ω j ,
n j
S
= α − nα + S,
n

that is, α = nS . Equation (5) yields β = nα − S and consequently β = 0. The second

h =0
condition is equivalent to ωh Silk

h = 0.
Theorem 1. An RW space-time M is Ricci semi-symmetric if and only if M is Einstein or ωh Silk

Now, assume that β = 0. Then an RW space-time is Einstein and the eigenvalue is

ψ = Sn . Let us rewrite the Ricci tensor and the energy–momentum tensor for a perfect fluid
space-time in the case β = 0 as

S
Sij = g (15)
n ij
Tij = pgij + ( p + µ)ωi ω j (16)

where
S
α=ψ= . (17)
n
Mathematics 2023, 11, 1440 4 of 13

The equation of state in this case

k( p + µ) = 0, (18)
n−2
 
= −
kp S, (19)
2n
n−2
 
kµ = S. (20)
2n
n−2
 
kTij = − Sgij . (21)
2n

That is, the perfect fluid is referred to as the dark energy. On the other hand, if
∇l ∇k ω j = ∇k ∇l ω j , then
h
ωh Silk = 0.
This equation yields
ωh Skh = 0.
Using Equation (5), it is
0 = (α − β)ω j
and consequently ψ = 0, α = β, and in this case, it is

S

Sij = gij + ωi ω j . (22)
n−1
Equations (9) and (10) show that

( n − 3) S
kTij = − Sg + ωω, (23)
2(n − 1) ij n − 1 i j
( n − 3)
kp = − S, (24)
2( n − 1)
S
kµ = , (25)
2
S
k( p + µ) = . (26)
n−1

Theorem 2. Let M be a Ricci semi-symmetric RW space-time. Then, M satisfies one of the following:
1. (β = 0) M is Einstein. The Ricci tensor and the equation of state take the form of Equation
(15) and Equations (18)–(21). The perfect fluid is referred to as dark matter era.
2. (α = β) The Ricci tensor, the energy–momentum tensor, and the equation of state take the
form of Equations (22)–(26).

Remark 1. Notably, an RW space-time is a perfect fluid space-time. Dark matter era refers to
perfect fluid space with the equation of state p + µ = 0 [12]. However, so far, according to [13], a
four-dimensional perfect fluid space-time with p + µ 6= 0 is RW space-time if and only if it is a Yang
pure space-time. These space-times are identified by a Ricci tensor, which is a Codazzi tensor [13].

Corollary 1. A four-dimensional Ricci semi-symmetric RW space-time is a Yang pure space-time

given that β 6= 0.

3.2. Generalized Recurrent Ricci Curvature

A space-time M is called generalized Ricci recurrent if there are two 1−form a and b
such that
(∇ X S)(Y, Z ) = a( X )S(Y, Z ) + b( X ) g(Y, Z ) (27)
Mathematics 2023, 11, 1440 5 of 13

where X, Y, Z ∈ X( M ) and a, b are called the corresponding recurrence 1−forms. In local

coordinates, one may write
∇l Sij = al Sij + bl gij . (28)

Two contractions of this equation by gij and gli yield

∇l S = Sal + nbl (29)

1
∇S = al Slj + b j . (30)
2 j

A third contraction with ω i infers

 
ω i ∇l Sij = al ω i Sij + bl ω j . (31)

Since ω i is an eigenvector of the Ricci tensor, it is

 
∇l ω i Sij − Sij ∇l ω i = (ψal + bl )ω j (32)

∇l ψω j − Sij ∇l ω i = (ψal + bl )ω j .


(33)

Now, we may insert the definition of the Ricci tensor as

∇l ψω j − αgij + βωi ω j ∇l ω i = (ψal + bl )ω j

(34)


∇l ψω j − α∇l ω j = (ψal + bl )ω j (35)
(∇l ψ)ω j + (ψ − α)∇l ω j = (ψal + bl )ω j . (36)

By multiplying both sides by ω j , one obtains

(∇l ψ) = ψal + bl . (37)

Back substitution in Equation (36) results in

(ψ − α)∇l ω j = 0. (38)

Thus, we have two cases, namely, ψ − α = 0 and ∇l ω j = 0. The first case ψ − α = 0

implies that β = 0 and so M is Einstein, and the Ricci tensor and the equation of state take
the form of Equation (15) and Equations (18)–(21). To consider the second case ∇l ω j = 0, it
is clear that ϕ = 0. In this case, the perfect fluid is called static. One may use the fact that
 
ψ = (n − 1) ϕ2 + ϕ̇

where ϕ̇ = ω k ∇k ϕ to obtain ψ = 0, that is α = β. In this case, the Ricci tensor, the

energy–momentum tensor, and the equation of state take the form

S

Sij = gij + ωi ω j ,
n−1
S

kTij = −(n − 3) gij + 2ωi ω j ,
2n − 2
S
k( p + µ) = ,
n−1
( n − 3) S
kp = − ,
2( n − 1)
S
kµ = .
2
Mathematics 2023, 11, 1440 6 of 13

The covariant derivative of the Ricci tensor is now given by

∇l S

∇l Sij = g + ωi ω j .
n − 1 ij
Using the defining property of the generalized Ricci recurrent tensor, it is

∇l S

al Sij + bl gij = gij + ωi ω j .
n−1
Now, the definition of the Ricci tensor yields

S
∇l S

al gij + ωi ω j + bl gij = gij + ωi ω j .
n−1 n−1
One may simplify this equation as

∇l S ∇l S
   
S S
0 = − al − bl gij + − al ωi ω j
n−1 n−1 n−1 n−1
0 = (∇l S − Sal − (n − 1)bl ) gij + (∇l S − Sal )ωi ω j .

Different contractions of this equation infer

bl = 0,
0 = ∇l S − Sal − nbl .
Sal = ∇l S

The defining equation of the generalized Ricci recurrent RW space-time reduces to

∇l Sij = al Sij

For a non-zero scalar curvature S, it is

∇l Sij = ∇l (ln S)Sij .

Theorem 3. Let M be a generalized Ricci recurrent RW space-time. Then M reduces to be Einstein

or to a Ricci recurrent RW space-time of the form

∇l Sij = ∇l (ln S)Sij .

Moreover, M satisfies one of the following:
1. M is Einstein. The Ricci tensor and the equation of state take the form of Equations (15) and
(18)–(21).
2. M is a static perfect fluid, and the Ricci tensor, the energy–momentum tensor, and the equation
of state take the form of Equations (22)–(26).

A space-time M is called Ricci recurrent if there is a 1−form a such that

(∇ X S)(Y, Z ) = a( X )S(Y, Z )

where X, Y, Z are vector fields on M and a is called the recurrence 1−form. In local
coordinates, one may write
∇l Sij = al Sij .
Mathematics 2023, 11, 1440 7 of 13

It should be noted that a Ricci recurrent space-time is a generalized Ricci recurrent

space-time. Let M be a Ricci recurrent RW space-time. Then M reduces to be Einstein or to
a Ricci recurrent RW space-time of the form

∇l Sij = ∇l (ln S)Sij .

Moreover, M is either Einstein and Equations (15)–(21) hold or M is a static perfect

fluid and the Ricci tensor, the energy–momentum tensor, and the equation of state take the
form of Equations (22)–(26).
A space-time M is called Ricci symmetric if [14]

(∇ X S)(Y, Z ) = 0

where X, Y, Z are vector fields on M. In local coordinates, one may write

∇l Sij = 0.

It should be noted that a Ricci symmetric space-time is a Ricci recurrent space-time. In

the Ricci flat case, it is easy to show that only one case of the above result will hold, namely,
M is Einstein.

Corollary 2. Let M be a Ricci symmetric RW space-times. Then M reduces to be Einstein, and the
Ricci tensor and the equation of state take the form of Equations (15) and (18)–(21).

3.3. Codazzi Type of Ricci Tensor

The RW space-time is of Codazzi type of Ricci tensor if

(∇ X S)(Y, Z ) = (∇Y S)( X, Z ) (39)

where X, Y, Z are vector fields on M. In local coordinates, it is

∇k Sij = ∇i Skj . (40)

To obtain contraction of this equation by ω i ω k , let us first evaluate both sides as

ω i ω k ∇k Sij = ω i α̇gij + β̇ωi ω j + βω̇i ω j + βωi ω̇ j

= α̇ω j − β̇ω j − βω̇ j

= ψ̇ω j − βω̇ j (41)

and
 
ω i ω k ∇i Skj = ω i ∇i ω k Skj − ω i Skj ∇i ω k
= ω i ∇i ψω j − ω i Skj ∇i ω k


 
= ψ̇ω j + ψω̇ j − ω i ϕSkj δik + ωi ω k
= ψ̇ω j + ψω̇ j − ω i ϕ Sij + ψωi ω j

= ψ̇ω j + ψω̇ j − ω i ϕ ψω j − ψω j

= ψ̇ω j + ψω̇ j (42)

The above equations imply

ψ̇ω j − βω̇ j = ψ̇ω j + ψω̇ j

(ψ + β)ω̇ j = 0
Mathematics 2023, 11, 1440 8 of 13

Therefore, ψ + β = 0 or ω̇ j = 0. The first case infers α = 0 ψ = − β = S and

consequently
Sij = −Sωi ω j . (43)
Space-times with this form of Ricci curvature are called Ricci simple space-times [15].
The energy–momentum tensor, the pressure and energy density are consequently given by

S 3S
kTij= − gij − ωi ω j , (44)
2 2
S
kp = − , (45)
2
kµ = −S, (46)
3S
k( p + µ) = − . (47)
2
The second condition implies that the fluid acceleration is zero and the velocity vector
field is geodesic.

Theorem 4. Let M be an RW space-time admitting a Codazzi type of Ricci tensor. Then, the
velocity vector field is geodesic or M is Ricci simple and

Sij = −Sωi ω j , (48)

S 3S
kTij = − gij − ωω, (49)
2 2 i j
3S
k( p + µ) = − , (50)
2
S
kp = − , (51)
2
kµ = −S. (52)

4. Riemann Curvature Tensor on RW Space-Times

The Riemann curvature tensor of an RW space-time is completely determined by the
vector ω as follows. It is clear that the conformal curvature tensor is null and so

0 = C jklm
1 h i
= S jklm + g jm Skl − gkm S jl + gkl S jm − g jl Skm
n−2
S h i
− g jm gkl − gkm g jl . (53)
(n − 1)(n − 2)

Now, the Riemann curvature tensor has the form

S h i
S jklm = g jm gkl − gkm g jl
(n − 1)(n − 2)
1 h i
− g jm Skl − gkm S jl + gkl S jm − g jl Skm (54)
n−2
Using the form of the Ricci curvature tensor, one obtains

S − 2( n − 1) α h i
S jklm = g jm gkl − gkm g jl
(n − 1)(n − 2)
β h i
− g jm ωk ωl − gkm ω j ωl + gkl ω j ωm − g jl ωk ωm . (55)
n−2
Mathematics 2023, 11, 1440 9 of 13

It is clear that

∇r ( ωk ωl ) = ∇r ( ωk ) ωl + ωk ∇r ( ωl )
= ϕ( grk + ωr ωk )ωl + ϕ( grl + ωr ωl )ωk
= ϕ( grk ωl + grl ωk + 2ωr ωk ωl )

After lengthy computations using this equation, the covariant derivative of the Rie-
mann curvature tensor may be finally rewritten as

∇r S − 2(n − 1)∇r α h i
∇r S jklm = g jm gkl − gkm g jl
(n − 1)(n − 2)
∇r β h i
− g jm ωk ωl − gkm ω j ωl + gkl ω j ωm − g jl ωk ωm
n−2
ϕβ  
− g jm grk ωl + g jm grl ωk + 2g jm ωr ωk ωl − gkm grj ωl
n−2
ϕβ  
− − gkm grl ω j − 2gkm ωr ω j ωl + gkl grj ωm + gkl grm ω j
n−2
ϕβ h i
− 2gkl ωr ω j ωm − g jl grk ωm − g jl grm ωk − 2g jl ωr ωk ωm (56)
n−2

4.1. Locally Symmetric RW Space-Time

Assume that an RW space-time is symmetric, that is, ∇r S jklm = 0 [16], and conse-
quently, the scalar curvature is constant and n∇α = ∇ β. Thus,

−2∇r α h i
0 = g jm gkl − gkm g jl
( n − 2)
n ∇r α h i
− g jm ωk ωl − gkm ω j ωl + gkl ω j ωm − g jl ωk ωm
n−2
ϕβ  
− g g ω + g jm grl ωk + 2g jm ωr ωk ωl − gkm grj ωl
n − 2 jm rk l
ϕβ  
− − gkm grl ω j − 2gkm ωr ω j ωl + gkl grj ωm + gkl grm ω j
n−2
ϕβ h i
− 2gkl ωr ω j ωm − g jl grk ωm − g jl grm ωk − 2g jl ωr ωk ωm .
n−2

By multiplying this equation by g jl , it is

0 = ∇r α[nωk ωm + gkm ] + ϕβ[ grk ωm + grm ωk + 2ωr ωk ωm ]. (57)

A last contraction with ω k ω m gives us ∇r α = 0. Back substitution in the above

equation yields

0 = ϕβ[ grk ωm + grm ωk + 2ωr ωk ωm ] (58)

= ϕβ[ωm ∇r uk + ωk ∇r um ] (59)
= ϕβ[ωm ∇r ωk + ωk ∇r ωm ] (60)

From this equation, it is easy to show that either β = 0 or ∇r ωm = 0. The first case
implies that the space-time is Einstein, and the second case infers the space-time is static.
In the first case, the Riemann curvature tensor becomes

S − 2( n − 1) α h i
S jklm = g jm gkl − gkm g jl (61)
(n − 1)(n − 2)
S h i
= gkm g jl − g jm gkl . (62)
n ( n − 1)
Mathematics 2023, 11, 1440 10 of 13

Therefore, RW space-time has constant curvature. A simple contraction of this equation

implies α = 0. Now, the manifold is Ricci flat and consequently is flat.

Theorem 5. Let M be a locally symmetric RW space-time. Then,

1. M has a constant curvature. The Riemann tensor, the Ricci tensor, and the equation of state
take the form

S h i
S jklm = gkm g jl − g jm gkl .
n ( n − 1)
S
Sij = g ,
n ij
n−2

kTij = − Sgij ,
2n
n−2
 
kp = −kµ = − S,
2n
k( p + µ) = 0.

2. M is a static space-time.

4.2. Recurrent RW Space-Times

A space-time is called recurrent if there is one form a such that

(∇U S)( X, Y, Z, W ) = a(U )S( X, Y, Z, W ).

In local coordinates, it is
∇r S jklm = ar S jklm .
Thus, an RW space-time is recurrent if

ar S jklm = ∇r S jklm
∇r S − (n − 1)∇r α h i
= g jm gkl − gkm g jl
(n − 1)(n − 2)
∇r β h i
− g jm ωk ωl − gkm ω j ωl + gkl ω j ωm − g jl ωk ωm
n−2
ϕβ  
− g g ω + g jm grl ωk + 2g jm ωr ωk ωl − gkm grj ωl (63)
n − 2 jm rk l
ϕβ  
− − gkm grl ω j − 2gkm ωr ω j ωl + gkl grj ωm + gkl grm ω j
n−2
ϕβ h i
− 2gkl ωr ω j ωm − g jl grk ωm − g jl grm ωk − 2g jl ωr ωk ωm
n−2
Using the calculations in the above subsection, one obtains

∇r α
ar Skm = − g + ∇r βωk ωm + ϕβ[ grk ωm + grm ωk + 2ωr ωk ωm ].
n − 2 km

Using two contractions with gkm and ω k ω m , this equation infers

n ∇r α
ar S = − − ∇r β
n−2
∇r α
ar ψωk = − ω − ∇r βωk + ϕβ[− grk − ωr ωk ]
n−2 k
∇r α
ar ψ = − − ∇r β
n−2
Mathematics 2023, 11, 1440 11 of 13

The subtraction of these two equations implies

n−1
ar ( S − ψ ) = − ∇r α
n−2
n−1
ar ( n − 1) α = − ∇r α
n−2
1
ar α = − ∇r α.
n−2

Theorem 6. Let M be a recurrent RW space-time. Then, M is Ricci simple or the recurrence form
is given by

1 1
ar = − ∇r α.
n−2α

4.3. Harmonic RW Space-Time

A contraction of ∇r S jklm with grj infers

∇m S − (n − 1)∇m α ∇ S − (n − 1)∇l α
∇ j S jklm = gkl − l g
( n − 1 )( n − 2 ) (n − 1)(n − 2) km
∇m β β̇ β̇ ∇β
− ωk ωl + gkm ωl − gkl ωm + l ωk ωm
n−2 n−2 n−2 n−2
ϕβ
− [ g ω + glm ωk + 2ωm ωk ωl − ngkm ωl ] (64)
n − 2 km l
ϕβ
− [− gkm ωl + 2gkm ωl + ngkl ωm + gkl ωm ]
n−2
ϕβ
− [−2gkl ωm − glk ωm − glm ωk − 2ωl ωk ωm ]
n−2
Thus, the divergence of the Riemann tensor is give by

1
∇ j S jklm = ((∇m ψ) gkl − (∇l ψ) gkm )
(n − 1)(n − 2)
 
β̇
+ + ϕβ ( gkm ωl − gkl ωm ) (65)
n−2
1
− ((∇m β)ωk ωl − (∇l β)ωk ωm ).
n−2
Assume that M is harmonic, that is,

0 = ∇ j S jklm
1
= ((∇m ψ) gkl − (∇l ψ) gkm )
(n − 1)(n − 2)
 
β̇
+ + ϕβ ( gkm ωl − gkl ωm ) (66)
n−2
1
− ((∇m β)ωk ωl − (∇l β)ωk ωm ).
n−2
Mathematics 2023, 11, 1440 12 of 13

Therefore, one obtains

1

0 = (∇m ψ + ∇m β) + − β̇ + ϕβ(1 − n) ωm
n−2
n∇m α

0 = − β̇ + (n − 1) ϕβ ωm
n−2
nα̇

0 = + β̇ + (n − 1) ϕβ (67)
n−2


0 = nα̇ + (n − 2) β̇ + (n − 1) ϕβ

However, a harmonic RW space-time has a divergence free Ricci tensor, that is,

0 = ∇ j S jk
 
0 = ω k ∇ j S jk = ∇ j ω k S jk − S jk ∇ j ω k
 
= ∇ j ψω j − ϕS jk g jk + ω j ω k

= ψ∇ j ω j + ω j ∇ j (ψ) − ϕ(S − ψ)


(68)
= ψϕ(n − 1) + ψ̇ − ϕ(nα − β − α + β)
= ψ̇ − (n − 1) ϕα + ψϕ(n − 1)
= ψ̇ − (n − 1) ϕβ.

Thus, ψ̇ = (n − 1) ϕβ. Equation (68) now becomes

0 = nα̇ + (n − 2) β̇ + ψ̇
= (2n − 2)α̇.

Hence, α̇ = 0, β̇ = −ψ̇ = −(n − 1) ϕβ and Equation (67) reduce to

1
0 = ((∇m ψ) gkl − (∇l ψ) gkm )
( n − 1)
1
− ϕβ( gkm ωl − gkl ωm ) (69)
n−2
−((∇m β)ωk ωl − (∇l β)ωk ωm ).

A contraction by gkl implies

n−1
0 = ∇m ψ + ϕβωm + ∇m β + β̇ωm
n−2
 
1
= ∇m α + 1 − β̇ωm (70)
n−2
n−3
= ∇m α + β̇ωm
n−2
Again, transfecting this equation by ω m yields

n−3 n−3 n−3

0 = α̇ − β̇ = − β̇ = (n − 1) ϕβ.
n−2 n−2 n−2
Therefore, β = 0 or ϕ = 0.

Theorem 7. Let M be a harmonic RW space-time. Then, M is Einstein or M is a static space-time.

5. Conclusions
A conformally flat GRW space-time satisfies an algebraic curvature condition; namely,
it is a perfect fluid RW space-time. The existence of one of the differential curvature
Mathematics 2023, 11, 1440 13 of 13

conditions (i.e., semi-symmetric Ricci curvature, generalized recurrent Ricci curvature

tensor, recurrent Ricci curvature tensor, parallel Ricci curvature tensor, Codazzi Ricci tensor,
locally symmetric, and harmonic Riemann curvature tensor) implies the RW space-time
has a constant curvature or is a static space-time.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization and methodology, S.S., U.C.D. and N.B.T.; formal analysis,
S.S., U.C.D. and N.B.T.; writing—original draft preparation, S.S. and U.C.D.; writing—review and
editing, S.S. and N.B.T.; supervision, S.S.; project administration, S.S.; and funding acquisition, N.B.T.
All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This project was supported by the Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP2023R413),
King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Data Availability Statement: Not applicable.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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