Fermi derivative

Fermi derivative

[′fer·mē də‚riv·əd·iv] (relativity) A generalization of covariant differentiation along a curve that reduces to covariant differentiation when the curve is geodesic; an orthonormal tetrad constructed at each point along a timelike curve such that the Fermi derivative of the tetrad along the curve is zero has (1) its timelike basis vector equal to the curve's unit tangent vector and (2) its spatial basis vectors nonrotating along the curve.