BMS symmetry in gravity: Front form versus Instant form

Abstract

In General Relativity, the allowed set of diffeomorphisms or gauge transformations at asymptotic infinity forms the BMS group, an infinite-dimensional extension of the Poincar\'e group. We focus on the structure of the BMS group in two distinct forms of Hamiltonian dynamics - the instant and front forms. Both similarities and differences in these two forms are examined while emphasising the role of non-covariant approaches to symmetries in gravity.