Generating New Spacetimes through Zermelo Navigation

Abstract

Zermelo navigation is not only a fundamental tool in Finsler geometry but also a fundamental approach to the geometrization of dynamics in physics. In this paper, we consider the Zermelo navigation problem on optical Riemannian space and, via Zermelo/Randers/spacetime triangle, explore the generation of new spacetimes from pre-existing ones. Whether the Randers metric has reversible geodesics corresponds to the presence of time-reversal symmetry in the generated spacetime. In cases where the Randers metric has reversible geodesics, we utilize a radial vector field to generate new static spacetimes from existing ones. For example, we can generate Schwarzschild, Rindler, de Sitter, and Schwarzschild-de Sitter spacetimes from flat spacetime. In fact, the Zermelo navigation method allows for the derivation of a variety of static spacetimes from flat spacetime. For multi-parameter spacetimes, they can be generated through various navigation paths. However, for some spacetimes, not all navigation paths may exist. In the second scenario, when the Randers metric does not have reversible geodesics, we employ a rotational vector field to transform non-flat static metrics into slowly rotating spacetimes. Alternatively, using a mixed vector field, we generate slowly rotating spacetimes starting from flat spacetime. We provide examples of generating Kerr spacetimes and Kerr-de Sitter spacetimes.