2 Classification of Stationary Electrovac Black Hole Space-Times

The uniqueness theorem applies to the black hole solutions of Einstein’s vacuum equations and the Einstein–Maxwell (EM) equations. Under certain conditions (see below), the theorem implies that all stationary, asymptotically flat electrovac black hole space-times (with non-degenerate horizon) are parametrized by the Kerr–Newman metric. The proof of the theorem comprises various issues, not all of which have been settled in an equally reliable manner.⁶ The purpose of this section is to review the various steps involved in the classification of electrovac space-times (see Figure 1). In the next section we shall then comment on the validity of the partial results in the presence of non-linear matter fields.