Scattering theory with matter fields of classical gravitons in the null surface formulation

Abstract

Using a set of field equations in the null surface formulation we obtain the linearized coupling between the gravitational and matter fields. We first derive a formula for the metric of the space time and then we use this formula to study the scattering of incoming gravitational waves when matter is present, obtaining explicit formulae relating the radiation modes at past and future null infinity for a general asymptotically flat spacetime. An example application is made at the end of this work when the matter field is a massless real scalar field. The relevance of this result for a perturbation procedure is discussed.