Classification of the traceless Ricci tensor in 4-dimensional pseudo-Riemannian spaces of neutral signature

Abstract

The traceless Ricci tensor $C_{ab}$ in 4-dimensional pseudo-Riemannian spaces equipped with the metric of the neutral signature is analyzed. Its algebraic classification is given. This classification uses the properties of $C_{ab}$ treated as a matrix. The Petrov-Penrose types of Pleba\'nski spinors associated with the traceless Ricci tensor are given. Finally, the classification is compared with a similar classification in the complex case.