Segre classification

The Segre classification is an algebraic classification of rank two symmetric tensors. It was proposed by the italian mathematician Corrado Segre in 1884.

The resulting types are then known as Segre types. It is most commonly applied to the energy–momentum tensor (or the Ricci tensor) and primarily finds application in the classification of exact solutions in general relativity.

See also

• Corrado Segre
• Jordan normal form
• Petrov classification

References

• Stephani, Hans; Kramer, Dietrich; MacCallum, Malcolm; Hoenselaers, Cornelius & Herlt, Eduard (2003). Exact Solutions of Einstein's Field Equations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-46136-7. See section 5.1 for the Segre classification.
• Segre, C. (1884). "Sulla teoria e sulla classificazione delle omografie in uno spazio lineare ad uno numero qualunque di dimensioni". Memorie della R. Accademia dei Lincei. 3a: 127.