TT-tensors and conformally flat structures on 3-manifolds

Abstract

We study transverse-tracefree (TT)-tensors on conformally flat 3-manifolds $(M,g)$. The Cotton-York tensor linearized at $g$ maps every symmetric tracefree tensor into one which is TT. The question as to whether this is the general solution to the TT-condition is viewed as a cohomological problem within an elliptic complex first found by Gasqui and Goldschmidt and reviewed in the present paper. The question is answered affirmatively when $M$ is simply connected and has vanishing 2nd de Rham cohomology.