A spin-coefficient approach to space–times with torsion

The Newman–Penrose formalism, which has been extremely useful in general relativity, is extended to include the possibility of space–times with torsion. Initially Riemann–Cartan geometry is discussed and the torsion and contortion tensors are defined. The possible alternative but equivalent approaches in developing the formalism are given in Chapters 3 and 4. These involve the use of tetrads and spinor dyads. In the definition of the spin coefficients, the components of the contortion tensor appear as correction terms to the spin coefficients defined in the associated Riemannian space–time. [Continues.]