The algebraic structure of a cosmological term in spherically symmetric solutions

We propose to describe the dynamics of a cosmological term in the spherically symmetric case by an r-dependent second rank symmetric tensor Lambda(mu nu) invariant under boosts in the radial direction. This proposal is based on the Petrov classification scheme and Einstein field equations in the spherically symmetric case. The inflationary equation of state p = -rho is satisfied by the radial pressure, p(r)(Lambda)= -rho(Lambda). The tangential pressure p(perpendicular to)(Lambda) is calculated from the conservation equation Lambda(nu;mu)(mu) = 0. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.