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The necessary and sufficient conditions for a perfect fluid solution to define a spatially-homogeneous cosmology are achieved. These conditions are Intrinsic, Deductive, Explicit and ALgorithmic, and they offer an IDEAL labeling of these geometries. When a three-dimensional group acts on the three-dimensional space-like orbits, the Bianchi type of the model is also obtained., Comment: 25 pages, 4 figures, 1 supplementary documentation

The thermodynamic interpretation of the Stephani Universes is studied in detail. The general expression of the speed of sound and of the thermodynamic schemes associated with a thermodynamic solution is obtained. The constraints imposed on the solutions by considering some significant physical properties are analyzed. We focus on the models where the cosmological observer measures isotropic radiation. We consider some examples, and a solution that models an ultrarelativistic gas is analyzed in detail., Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures

The necessary and sufficient conditions for a spacetime with an invariant frame to admit a group of isometries of dimension $r$ are given in terms of the connection tensor $H$ associated with this frame. In Petrov-Bel types I, II and III, and in other spacetimes where an invariant frame algebraically defined by the curvature tensor exists, the connection tensor $H$ is given in terms of the Weyl and Ricci tensors without an explicit determination of the frame. Thus, an IDEAL (intrinsic, deductive, explicit and algorithmic) characterization of these spacetimes follows. Some examples show that this algorithm can be easily implemented on the xAct Mathematica suite of packages., Comment: 19 pages, 1 figure

The necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained for a unit time-like vector field $u$ to be the unit velocity of a divergence-free perfect fluid energy tensor. This plainly kinematic description of a conservative perfect fluid requires considering eighteen classes defined by differential concomitants of $u$. For each of these classes, we get the additional constraints that label the flow of a conservative energy tensor, and we obtain the pairs of functions $\{\rho,p\}$, energy density and pressure, which complete a solution to the conservation equations., Comment: 28 pages, 1 figure and 3 tables. Added references 31 and 32

The necessary and sufficient conditions for a perfect energy tensor to describe the energy evolutions of a monoatomic relativistic Synge gas are obtained. Then, a Rainich-like theory for the Einstein-Synge solutions can be constructed. Equations of state approximating that of a Synge gas at low or at high temperatures, or in the entire domain of applicability, are analyzed from a hydrodynamic point of view., Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure

We analyze the interpretation of the spherically symmetric perfect fluid solutions that admit a flat synchronization orthogonal to the fluid flow as a thermodynamic perfect fluid in local thermal equilibrium. The ideal gas sonic condition is examined for this family of metrics, and the macroscopic conditions for physical reality are accurately tested for some specific solutions., Comment: 14 pages, 2 figures

We analyze the field equations for the perfect fluid solutions admitting a group G$_3$ of isometries acting on orbits S$_2$ whose curvature has a gradient that is tangent to the fluid flow (T-models). We propose several methods to integrate the field equations and we present the general solution without the need to calculate any integral., Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures

The perfect fluid solutions admitting a group G$_3$ of isometries acting on orbits S$_2$ whose curvature has a gradient which is tangent to the fluid flow (T-models) are studied from a thermodynamic approach. All the admissible thermodynamic schemes are obtained, and the solutions compatible with the generic ideal gas equation of state are studied in detail. The possible physical interpretation of some previously known T-models is also analyzed., Comment: 13 pages

The explicit expression of the multiple Debever null directions of an algebraically special spacetime are obtained in terms of the electric and magnetic parts of the Weyl tensor. An algorithm for the determination of the Petrov-Bel type and the algorithm to obtain the multiple Debever null directions are implemented on the xAct Mathematica suite of packages. The corresponding notebooks with examples are provided and explained., Comment: 13 pages; The theoretical aspects developed in the previous version have been implemented on xAct and sections explaining how such implementation has been done (plus some examples) have been added; example notebooks added as ancillary files; updated references; updated author list

The necessary and sufficient conditions for a three-dimensional Riemannian metric to admit a group of isometries of dimension $r$ acting on s-dimensional orbits are obtained. These conditions are Intrinsic, Deductive, Explicit and ALgorithmic and they offer an IDEAL labeling that improves previously known invariant studies., Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure

In a recent paper (Coll {\em et al} 2019 {\it Class. Quantum Grav.} {\bf 36} 175004) we have studied a family of Szekeres-Szafron solutions of class II in local thermal equilibrium (singular models). In this paper we deal with a similar study for all other class II Szekeres-Szafron solutions without symmetries. These models in local thermal equilibrium (regular models) are analyzed and their associated thermodynamic schemes are obtained. In particular, we focus on the subfamily of solutions which are compatible with the generic ideal gas equation of state ($p = \tilde{k} n \Theta$), and we analyze in depth two notable interpretations that follow on from the choice of two specific thermodynamic schemes: firstly, as a generic ideal gas in local thermal equilibrium and, secondly, as a model having the homogeneous temperature of the FLRW limit. The models above are shown to fulfill the general necessary macroscopic requirements for physical reality (positivity of matter density, internal energy and temperature, energy conditions and compressibility conditions) in wide domains of the spacetime., Comment: 27 pages, 1 figure. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1812.09054

The necessary and sufficient conditions for a three-dimensional Riemannian metric to admit a transitive group of isometries are obtained. These conditions are Intrinsic, Deductive, Explicit and ALgorithmic, and they offer an IDEAL labeling of these geometries. It is shown that the transitive action of the group naturally falls into an unfolding of some of the ten types in the Bianchi-Behr classification. Explicit conditions, depending on the Ricci tensor, are obtained that characterize all these types., Comment: 22 pages, no figures, submitted to CQC

he necessary and sufficient conditions for a unit time-like vector field to be the unit velocity of a classical ideal gas are obtained. In a recent paper [Coll, Ferrando and S\'aez, Phys. Rev D {\bf 99} (2019)] we have offered a purely hydrodynamic description of a classical ideal gas. Here we take one more step in reducing the number of variables necessary to characterize these media by showing that a plainly kinematic description can be obtained. We apply the results to obtain test solutions to the hydrodynamic equation that model the evolution in local thermal equilibrium of a classical ideal gas. \end{abstract}, Comment: 22 pages, no figures

The necessary and sufficient condition for a conservative perfect fluid energy tensor to be the energetic evolution of a classical ideal gas is obtained. This condition forces the square of the speed of sound to have the form $c_s^2 = \frac{\gamma p}{\rho+p}$ in terms of the hydrodynamic quantities, energy density $\rho$ and pressure $p$, $\gamma$ being the (constant) adiabatic index. The {\em inverse problem} for this case is also solved, that is, the determination of all the fluids whose evolutions are represented by a conservative energy tensor endowed with the above expression of $c^2_s$, and it shows that these fluids are, and only are, those fulfilling a Poisson law. The relativistic compressibility conditions for the classical ideal gases and the Poisson gases are analyzed in depth and the values for the adiabatic index $\gamma$ for which the compressibility conditions hold in physically relevant ranges of the hydrodynamic quantities $\rho, p$ are obtained. Some scenarios that model isothermal or isentropic evolutions of a classical ideal gas are revisited, and preliminary results are presented in applying our hydrodynamic approach to looking for perfect fluid solutions that model the evolution of a classical ideal gas or of a Poisson gas., Comment: 12 pages, no figures, submitted to Physical Review D

A family of parabolic Szekeres-Szafron class II solutions in local thermal equilibrium is studied and their associated thermodynamics are obtained. The subfamily with the hydrodynamic behavior of a generic ideal gas (defined by the equation of state $p = k n \Theta$) results to be an inhomogeneous generalization of flat FLRW $\gamma$-law models. Three significative interpretations that follow on from the choice of three specific thermodynamic schemes are analyzed in depth. First, the generic ideal gas in local thermal equilibrium; this interpretation leads to an inhomogeneous temperature $\Theta$. Second, the thermodynamics with homogeneous temperature considered by Lima and Tiomno (CQG 6 1989). And third, a new model having exactly the homogeneous temperature of the FLRW limit. It is shown that the three models above fulfill the necessary macroscopic requirements for physical reality (positivity of matter density and temperature, energy conditions and compressibility conditions) in wide domains of the spacetime., Comment: 22 pages, 1 figure

The constraints imposed by the relativistic compressibility hypothesis on the square of the speed of sound in a medium are obtained. This result allows to obtain purely hydrodynamic conditions for the physical reality of a perfect energy tensor representing the energetic evolution of a perfect fluid in local thermal equilibrium. The results are applied to the paradigmatic case of the generic ideal gases. Then the physical reality of the ideal gas Stephani models is analyzed and the Rainich-like theory for ideal gas solutions is built., Comment: 21 pages, no figures, submitted to General Relativity and Gravitation

We write the known invariant definition of the Szekeres-Szafron family of solutions in an intrinsic, deductive, explicit and algorithmic form. We also intrinsically characterize the two commonly considered subfamilies, and analyze other subclasses, also defined by first-order differential conditions. Furthermore, we present a Rainich-like approach to these metrics., Comment: 12 pages; Accepted in Phys. Rev. D

We complete the intrinsic characterization of spherically symmetric solutions partially accomplished in a previous paper [Class.Quant.Grav. (2010) 27 205024]. In this approach we consider every compatible algebraic type of the Ricci tensor, and we analyze specifically the conformally flat case for perfect fluid and Einstein-Maxwell solutions. As a direct application we obtain the {\em ideal} labeling (exclusively involving explicit concomitants of the metric tensor) of the Schwarzschild interior metric and the Vaidya solution. The Stephani universes and some significative subfamilies are also characterized., Comment: 20 pages, no figues

Every evolution of a fluid is uniquely described by an energy tensor. But the converse is not true: an energy tensor may describe the evolution of different fluids. The problem of determining them is called here the {\em inverse problem}. This problem may admit unphysical or non-deterministic solutions. This paper is devoted to solve the inverse problem for perfect energy tensors in the class of perfect fluids evolving in local thermal equilibrium (l.t.e.). The starting point is a previous result (Coll and Ferrando in J Math Phys 30: 2918-2922, 1989) showing that thermodynamic fluids evolving in l.t.e. admit a purely hydrodynamic characterization. This characterization allows solving this inverse problem in a very compact form. The paradigmatic case of perfect energy tensors representing the evolution of ideal gases is studied in detail and some applications and examples are outlined., Comment: 22 pages; minor changes

We study the space-times admitting a null conformal Killing-Yano tensor whose divergence defines a Killing vector. We analyze the similitudes and differences with the recently studied non null case (Gen. Relativ. Grav. (2015) {\bf 47} 1911). The results by Barnes concerning the Birkhoff theorem for the case of null orbits are analyzed and generalized., Comment: 10 pages

We analyze the main geometric conditions imposed by the hypothesis of the Jebsen-Birkhoff theorem. We show that the result (existence of an additional Killing vector) does not necessarily require a three-dimensional isometry group on two-dimensional orbits but only the existence of a conformal Killing-Yano tensor. In this approach the (additional) isometry appears as the known invariant Killing vector that the ${\cal D}$-metrics admit., Comment: 7 pages; accepted in General Relativity and Gravitation

We present a new approach to the intrinsic properties of the type D vacuum solutions based on the invariant symmetries that these spacetimes admit. By using tensorial formalism and without explicitly integrating the field equations, we offer a new proof that the upper bound of covariant derivatives of the Riemann tensor required for a Cartan-Karlhede classification is two. Moreover we show that, except for the Ehlers-Kundt's C-metrics, the Riemann derivatives depend on the first order ones, and for the C-metrics they depend on the first order derivatives and on a second order constant invariant. In our analysis the existence of an invariant complex Killing vector plays a central role. It also allows us to easily obtain and to geometrically interpret several known relations. We apply to the vacuum case the intrinsic classification of the type D spacetimes based on the first order differential properties of the 2+2 Weyl principal structure, and we show that only six classes are compatible. We define several natural and suitable subclasses and present an operational algorithm to detect them., Comment: 17 pages

We give the necessary and sufficient conditions for a 3-metric to be the adapted spatial metric of a static vacuum solution. This work accomplishes for the degenerate cases the already known study for the regular ones (Bartnik and Tod 2006 {\it Class. Quantum Grav.} {\bf 23} 569-571)., Comment: 5 pages

We extend our recent analysis (Ferrando J J and S\'aez J A 2012 Class. Quantum Grav. 29 075012) on the Bel radiative gravitational fields to the super-energy radiative gravitational fields defined by Garc\'{\i}a-Parrado (Class. Quantum Grav. 25 015006). We give an intrinsic characterization of the {\it new radiative fields}, and consider some distinguished classes of both radiative and non radiative fields. Several super-energy inequalities are improved., Comment: 16 pages; 1 figure

In the framework of relativistic positioning systems in Minkowski space-time, the determination of the inertial coordinates of a user involves the {\em bifurcation problem} (which is the indeterminate location of a pair of different events receiving the same emission coordinates). To solve it, in addition to the user emission coordinates and the emitter positions in inertial coordinates, it may happen that the user needs to know {\em independently} the orientation of its emission coordinates. Assuming that the user may observe the relative positions of the four emitters on its celestial sphere, an observational rule to determine this orientation is presented. The bifurcation problem is thus solved by applying this observational rule, and consequently, {\em all} of the parameters in the general expression of the coordinate transformation from emission coordinates to inertial ones may be computed from the data received by the user of the relativistic positioning system., Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures. The version published in PRD contains a misprint in the caption of Figure 3, which is here amended

We analyze the concept of intrinsic radiative gravitational fields defined by Bel and we show that the three radiative types, N, III and II, correspond with the three following different physical situations: {\it pure radiation}, {\it asymptotic pure radiation} and {\it generic} (non pure, non asymptotic pure) {\it radiation}. We introduce the concept of {\em observer at rest} with respect to the gravitational field and that of {\em proper super-energy} of the gravitational field and we show that, for non radiative fields, the minimum value of the relative super-energy density is the proper super-energy density, which is acquired by the observers at rest with respect to the field. Several {\it super-energy inequalities} are also examined., Comment: 15 pages; no figures; v2: minor changes

We give the necessary and sufficient (local) conditions for a metric tensor to be a non conformally flat spherically symmetric solution. These conditions exclusively involve explicit concomitants of the Riemann tensor. As a direct application we obtain the {\em ideal} labeling of the Schwarzschild, Reissner-Nordstr\"om and Lema\^itre-Tolman-Bondi solutions., Comment: 15 pages; submitted to Class. Quantum Grav.

We give several equivalent conditions that characterize the 2+2 warped spacetimes: imposing the existence of a Killing-Yano tensor $A$ subject to complementary algebraic restrictions; in terms of the projector $v$ (or of the canonical 2-form $U$) associated with the 2-planes of the warped product. These planes are principal planes of the Weyl and/or Ricci tensors and can be explicitly obtained from them. Therefore, we obtain the necessary and sufficient (local) conditions for a metric tensor to be a 2+2 warped product. These conditions exclusively involve explicit concomitants of the Riemann tensor. We present a similar analysis for the conformally 2+2 product spacetimes and give an invariant classification of them. The warped products correspond to two of these invariant classes. The more degenerate class is the set of product metrics which are also studied from an invariant point of view., Comment: 18 pages; submitted to Class. Quantum Grav.

The basic theory on relativistic positioning systems in a two-dimensional space-time has been presented in two previous papers [Phys. Rev. D {\bf 73}, 084017 (2006); {\bf 74}, 104003 (2006)], where the possibility of making relativistic gravimetry with these systems has been analyzed by considering specific examples. Here we study generic relativistic positioning systems in the Minkowski plane. We analyze the information that can be obtained from the data received by a user of the positioning system. We show that the accelerations of the emitters and of the user along their trajectories are determined by the sole knowledge of the emitter positioning data and of the acceleration of only one of the emitters. Moreover, as a consequence of the so called master delay equation, the knowledge of this acceleration is only required during an echo interval, i.e., the interval between the emission time of a signal by an emitter and its reception time after being reflected by the other emitter. We illustrate these results with the obtention of the dynamics of the emitters and of the user from specific sets of data received by the user., Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures

The coordinate transformation between emission coordinates and inertial coordinates in Minkowski space-time is obtained for arbitrary configurations of the emitters. It appears that a positioning system always generates two different coordinate domains, namely, the front and the back emission coordinate domains. For both domains, the corresponding covariant expression of the transformation is explicitly given in terms of the emitter world-lines. This task requires the notion of orientation of an emitter configuration. The orientation is shown to be computable from the emission coordinates for the users of a `central' region of the front emission coordinate domain. Other space-time regions associated with the emission coordinates are also outlined., Comment: 20 pages; 1 figure

We give the necessary and sufficient (local) conditions for a metric tensor to be the Kerr solution. These conditions exclusively involve explicit concomitants of the Riemann tensor., Comment: 15 pages; v2: necessary conditions added to theorems 1 and 2, other minor changes

In Newtonian space-time there exist four, and only four, causal classes of frames. Natural frames allow to extend this result to coordinate systems, so that coordinate systems may be also locally classified in four causal classes. These causal classes admit simple geometric descriptions and physical interpretations. For example, one can generate representatives of the four causal classes by means of the {\em linear synchronization group}. Of particular interest is the {\em local Solar time synchronization}, which reveals the limits of the frequent use of the concept of `causally oriented oordinate', such as that of `time-like coordinate'. Classical {\em positioning systems}, based in sound or light signals, are, by themselves, interesting examples of location systems, i.e. of physically constructible coordinate systems. They show that one can locate events in Newtonian space-time {\em without} any use of the concept of synchronization. In fact, the coordinate systems associated to positioning systems, belong to all the classes but the standard one, i.e. the one based in the simultaneity synchronization. The relativistic analogs of these examples, emphasize the contrast between the four Newtonian and the one hundred and ninety nine Lorentzian causal classes of frames of classical and relativistic space-times, respectively., Comment: 26 pages, 4 figures

We analyze the symmetries and other invariant qualities of the $\mathcal{D}$-metrics (type D aligned Einstein Maxwell solutions with cosmological constant whose Debever null principal directions determine shear-free geodesic null congruences). We recover some properties and deduce new ones about their isometry group and about their quadratic first integrals of the geodesic equation, and we analyze when these invariant symmetries characterize the family of metrics. We show that the subfamily of the Kerr-NUT solutions are those admitting a Papapetrou field aligned with the Weyl tensor., Comment: 18 pages; v2: minor changes

We consider the question of properly defining energy and momenta for non asymptotic Minkowskian spaces in general relativity. Only spaces of this type, whose energy, linear 3-momentum, and intrinsic angular momentum vanish, would be candidates for creatable universes, that is, for universes which could have arisen from a vacuum quantum fluctuation. Given a universe, we completely characterize the family of coordinate systems for which one could sensibly say that this universe is a creatable universe., Comment: 19 pages; v2: we have added an Appendix to make explicit the proof of the quasi-uniqueness of the defined energy and momenta of the Universe, for every space-like 3-surface

The original Rainich theory for the non-null Einstein-Maxwell solutions consists of a set of algebraic conditions and the Rainich (differential) equation. We show here that the subclass of type D aligned solutions can be characterized just by algebraic restrictions., Comment: 12 pages; v2: appendix with notation

The basic elements of the relativistic positioning systems in a two-dimensional space-time have been introduced in a previous work [Phys. Rev. D {\bf 73}, 084017 (2006)] where geodesic positioning systems, constituted by two geodesic emitters, have been considered in a flat space-time. Here, we want to show in what precise senses positioning systems allow to make {\em relativistic gravimetry}. For this purpose, we consider stationary positioning systems, constituted by two uniformly accelerated emitters separated by a constant distance, in two different situations: absence of gravitational field (Minkowski plane) and presence of a gravitational mass (Schwarzschild plane). The physical coordinate system constituted by the electromagnetic signals broadcasting the proper time of the emitters are the so called {\em emission coordinates}, and we show that, in such emission coordinates, the trajectories of the emitters in both situations, absence and presence of a gravitational field, are identical. The interesting point is that, in spite of this fact, particular additional information on the system or on the user allows not only to distinguish both space-times, but also to complete the dynamical description of emitters and user and even to measure the mass of the gravitational field. The precise information under which these dynamical and gravimetric results may be obtained is carefully pointed out., Comment: 14 pages; 5 figures

A relativistic positioning system is a physical realization of a coordinate system consisting in four clocks in arbitrary motion broadcasting their proper times. The basic elements of the relativistic positioning systems are presented in the two-dimensional case. This simplified approach allows to explain and to analyze the properties and interest of these new systems. The positioning system defined by geodesic emitters in flat metric is developed in detail. The information that the data generated by a relativistic positioning system give on the space-time metric interval is analyzed, and the interest of these results in gravimetry is pointed out., Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures. v2: a brief description of the principal bibliography has been added

The basic elements of Coll positioning systems (n clocks broadcasting electromagnetic signals in a n-dimensional space-time) are presented in the two-dimensional case. This simplified approach allows us to explain and to analyze the properties and interest of these relativistic positioning systems. The positioning system defined in flat metric by two geodesic clocks is analyzed. The interest of the Coll systems in gravimetry is pointed out., Comment: 6 pages; in Proc. Spanish Relativity Meeting ERE-2005, Oviedo (Spain)

The second order Killing and conformal tensors are analyzed in terms of their spectral decomposition, and some properties of the eigenvalues and the eigenspaces are shown. When the tensor is of type I with only two different eigenvalues, the condition to be a Killing or a conformal tensor is characterized in terms of its underlying almost-product structure. A canonical expression for the metrics admitting these kinds of symmetries is also presented. The space-time cases 1+3 and 2+2 are analyzed in more detail. Starting from this approach to Killing and conformal tensors a geometric interpretation of some results on quadratic first integrals of the geodesic equation in vacuum Petrov-Bel type D solutions is offered. A generalization of these results to a wider family of type D space-times is also obtained. A generalization of these results to a wider family of type D space-times is also obtained., Comment: 18 pages; v-3: minor changes

We apply a covariant and generic procedure to obtain explicit expressions of the transverse frames that a type I spacetime admits in terms of an arbitrary initial frame. We also present a simple and general algorithm to obtain the Weyl scalars $\Psi_2^T$, $\Psi_0^T$ and $\Psi_4^T$ associated with these transverse frames. In both cases it is only necessary to choose a particular root of a cubic expression., Comment: 12 pages, submitted to Gen. Rel. Grav. (6-3-2004)

The Stephani universes that can be interpreted as an ideal gas evolving in local thermal equilibrium are determined. Five classes of thermodynamic schemes are admissible, which give rise to five classes of regular models and three classes of singular models. No Stephani universes exist representing an exact solution to a classical ideal gas (one for which the internal energy is proportional to the temperature). But some Stephani universes may approximate a classical ideal gas at first order in the temperature: all of them are obtained. Finally, some features about the physical behavior of the models are pointed out., Comment: 20 pages

In spite of a recent reply by Quevedo and Z\'arate (gr-qc/0403096), their assertion that their thermodynamic scheme for a perfect fluid binary mixture is incompatible with Szekeres and Stephani families of universes, except those of FRW ones, remains wrong., Comment: 2 pages

It is shown that inhomogeneous Szekeres and Stephani universes exist corresponding to non-dissipative binary mixtures of perfect fluids in local thermal equilibrium. This result contradicts a recent statement by Z\'arate and Quevedo (2004 Class. Quantum Grav. {\bf 21} 197, {\it Preprint} gr-qc/0310087), which affirms that the only Szekeres and Stephani universes compatible with these fluids are the homogeneous Friedmann-Robertson-Walker models. Thus, contrarily to their conclusion, their thermodynamic scheme do not gives new indications of incompatibility between thermodynamics and relativity. Two of the points that have generated this error are commented., Comment: 6 pages

The Stephani Universes that can be interpreted as an ideal gas evolving in local thermal equilibrium are determined, and the method to obtain the associated thermodynamic schemes is given, Comment: 6 pages

A criterion is presented and discussed to detect when a divergence-free perfect fluid energy tensor in the space-time describes an evolution in local thermal equilibrium. This criterion is applied to the class II Szafron-Szekeres perfect fluid space-times solutions, giving a very simple characterization of those that describe such thermal evolutions. For all of them, the significant thermodynamic variables are explicitly obtained. Also, the specific condition is given under which the divergence-free perfect fluid energy tensors may be interpreted as an ideal gas., Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures; note added to reference [8]

We show that Petrov type I vacuum solutions admitting a Killing vector whose Papapetrou field is aligned with a principal bivector of the Weyl tensor are the Kasner and Taub metrics, their counterpart with timelike orbits and their associated windmill-like solutions, as well as the Petrov homogeneous vacuum solution. We recover all these metrics by using an integration method based on an invariant classification which allows us to characterize every solution. In this way we obtain an intrinsic and explicit algorithm to identify them., Comment: 14 pages; v2: added new section, references and table

The Leibniz bracket of an operator on a (graded) algebra is defined and some of its properties are studied. A basic theorem relating the Leibniz bracket of the commutator of two operators to the Leibniz bracket of them, is obtained. Under some natural conditions, the Leibniz bracket gives rise to a (graded) Lie algebra structure. In particular, those algebras generated by the Leibniz bracket of the divergence and the Laplacian operators on the exterior algebra are considered, and the expression of the Laplacian for the product of two functions is generalized for arbitrary exterior forms.