Tensor and Effective Vector Approach to Gravitational Radiation in the Weak Field Limit

Abstract

The purpose of the present paper is to enquire whether General Relativity (GR) is necessary for the prediction of gravitational waves. It will be shown that in the weak field limit the same predictions come also from the treatment of a zero mass, spin 2 gravitational scattering amplitude. This will also justify the simpler effective vector approach of the author, only the angular distribution differing from that of a tensor theory.