Abstract. Computes and classifies all Einstein spaces and their corresponding coordinate systems such that the Hamilton-Jacobi equation admits a separation of variables with two ignorable and one essential null coordinates. The authors find that all such spaces correspond to plane-fronted gravitational waves of Petrov type N. They also give necessary conditions which a general space-time must have in order to admit coordinates of the type studied. Furthermore, the integrability conditions for Helmholtz (Schrodinger) separability are completely solved.

Print publication: Issue 7 (1 July 1981)