Robinson-Trautman spacetimes in (2+1) dimensions

Abstract

We propose a Robinson-Trautman evolution in $(2+1)$-dimensional spacetime that retains key structural features of the four-dimensional case. We consider a recently studied exact family of metrics to select a nonstationary geometry with a cosmological constant, sourced by a null fluid. The metric is completely determined by a single positive function $P(u,ϕ)$, while the corresponding matter content is encoded in a null-fluid density. Motivated by the role of the area-preserving Calabi flow in four dimensions, we introduce a fourth-order length-preserving evolution equation for $P(u,ϕ)$ whose stationary configurations correspond, for negative cosmological constant, to boosted BTZ black holes. Numerical solutions strongly support the relaxation of generic regular initial data $P(0,ϕ)$ toward the stationary sector. The resulting system provides a simple toy model for dissipative dynamics driven by null radiation in lower-dimensional gravity, with several structural similarities to phenomena associated with genuine gravitational radiation.