Formalism
Definition
Spacetime configurations
Properties
Spacetimes
| black hole spacetimes | vanishing angular momentum | positive angular momentum |
|---|---|---|
| vanishing charge | Schwarzschild spacetime | Kerr spacetime |
| positive charge | Reissner-Nordstrom spacetime | Kerr-Newman spacetime |
| wormhole spacetimes | vanishing angular momentum |
|---|---|
| vanishing charge | Schwarzschild wormhole |
| positive charge | Reissner-Nordström wormhole |
Quantum theory
The Bondi-Metzner-Sach group (BMS group) is the group of asymptotic symmetries of asymptotically flat spacetimes at lightlike infinity.
Named after:
Hermann Bondi, M. G. J. Van der Burg, A. W. K. Metzner: Gravitational waves in general relativity, VII. Waves from axi-symmetric isolated system, Proceedings of the Royal Society A 269 1336 [doi:10.1098/rspa.1962.0161]
Rainer K. Sachs: Asymptotic Symmetries in Gravitational Theory, Phys. Rev. 128 (1962) 2851 [doi:10.1103/PhysRev.128.2851]
Lecture notes and introductions:
Níckolas de Aguiar Alves: Lectures on the Bondi–Metzner–Sachs group and related topics in infrared physics [arXiv:2504.12521]
Simone Speziale: A short introduction to boundary symmetries [arXiv:2512.16810]
Xavier Bekaert, Yannick Herfray, Lea Mele, Noémie Parrini: A geometrical invitation to BMS group theory [arXiv:2602.12965]
In relation to the Wheeler-DeWitt equation:
Similar symmetries of near horizon geometries of black hole spacetimes (with higher curvature corrections):
See also:
Ratindranath Akhoury, Arielle Schutz, David Garfinkle: Superrotations are Linkages [arXiv:2507.04245]
Yu-fan Zheng: Supersymmetric Algebras Revisited: Electric/Magnetic Superalgebras and Free Field Realization [arXiv:2508.17925]
Xavier Bekaert, Laura Donnay, Yannick Herfray: BMS particles [arXiv:2412.06002]
Romain Ruzziconi, Peter West: Extended BMS representations and strings [arXiv:2601.00662]
Last revised on February 16, 2026 at 03:59:32. See the history of this page for a list of all contributions to it.