Codazzi tensors and their space-times and Cotton gravity

We study the geometric properties of certain Codazzi tensors for their own sake, and for their appearance in the recent theory of Cotton gravity. We prove that a perfect-fluid tensor is Codazzi if and only if the metric is a generalized Stephani universe. A trace condition restricts it to a warped space-time, as proven by Merton and Derdzinski. We also give necessary and sufficient conditions for a space-time to host a current-flow Codazzi tensor. In particular, we study the static and spherically symmetric cases, which include the Nariai and Bertotti-Robinson metrics. The latter are a special case of Yang Pure space-times, together with spatially flat FRW space-times with constant curvature scalar. We apply these results to the recent Cotton gravity by Harada. We show that the equation of Cotton gravity is Einstein's equation modified by the presence of a Codazzi tensor, which can be chosen freely and constrains the space-time where the theory is staged. In doing so, the tensor (chosen in forms appropriate for physics) implies the form of the Ricci tensor. The two tensors specify the energy-momentum tensor, which is the source in the equation of Cotton gravity for the metric implied by the Codazzi tensor. For example, we show that the Stephani, Nariai and Bertotti-Robinson space-times are characterized by a "current flow" Codazzi tensor. Because of it, they solve Cotton gravity with physically sensible energy-momentum tensors. Finally, we discuss Cotton gravity in constant curvature space-times.