I am wondering if it is possible to describe general relativity such that its flat state isSuppose we use the signature of a Euclidean 4D metric:Riemannian manifold
$$ \eta^{\mu\nu}=\operatorname{diag}(+,+,+,+) $$
But withas the starting point to describe a "special" stress-energy tensor, called4d Euclidean version of general relativity. Alternatively one may use a non-zero vacuum state if you will such that it bends the metric into the LorentzWick rotation on time $t\to i \tau$ on normal general relativity to get this metric:.
$$ \eta^{\mu\nu}=\operatorname{diag}(+,-,-,-) $$ But instead of remaining in Euclidean GR, one then further flips the metric back to Lorentz $\eta^{\mu\nu}=\operatorname{diag}(+,-,-,-)$ but this time using the Stress-Energy tensor, instead of a wick rotation.
What would beOne will end up with the structure of thiscorrect Lorentz signature $\eta^{\mu\nu}=\operatorname{diag}(+,-,-,-)$ but also with a non-zero stress-energy tensor?.
Another way to ask myMy question is; what is the simplest stress-energy tensor which bendscurves a $(+,+,+,+)$ flat metric into one with curvature $(+,-,-,-)$? (here we consider $(+,+,+,+)$ to be the flat state, and $(+,-,-,-)$ to be a "curved" state).