Singular solutions to a semilinear biharmonic equation with a general critical nonlinearity

We consider positive solutions $u$ of the semilinear biharmonic equation $\Delta^2 u = |x|^{-\frac{n+4}{2}} g(|x|^\frac{n-4}{2} u)$ in $\mathbb R^n \setminus \{0\}$ with non-removable singularities at the origin. Under natural assumptions on the nonlinearity $g$, we show that $|x|^\frac{n-4}{2} u$ is a periodic function of $\ln |x|$ and we classify all such solutions.Comment: To V. Maz'ya on the occasion of his 80th birthday; references adde

A multiple scales approach to maximal superintegrability

In this paper we present a simple, algorithmic test to establish if a Hamiltonian system is maximally superintegrable or not. This test is based on a very simple corollary of a theorem due to Nekhoroshev and on a perturbative technique called multiple scales method. If the outcome is positive, this test can be used to suggest maximal superintegrability, whereas when the outcome is negative it can be used to disprove it. This method can be regarded as a finite dimensional analog of the multiple scales method as a way to produce soliton equations. We use this technique to show that the real counterpart of a mechanical system found by Jules Drach in 1935 is, in general, not maximally superintegrable. We give some hints on how this approach could be applied to classify maximally superintegrable systems by presenting a direct proof of the well-known Bertrand's theorem.Comment: 30 pages, 4 figur

Causal Structure of Vacuum Solutions to Conformal(Weyl) Gravity

Using Penrose diagrams the causal structure of the static spherically symmetric vacuum solution to conformal (Weyl) gravity is investigated. A striking aspect of the solution is an unexpected physical singularity at $r=0$ caused by a linear term in the metric. We explain how to calculate the deflection of light in coordinates where the metric is manifestly conformal to flat i.e. in coordinates where light moves in straight lines.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures, title and abstract changed, contents essentially unaltered accepted for publication in General Relativity and Gravitatio

Spherical gravitational collapse: tangential pressure and related equations of state

We derive an equation for the acceleration of a fluid element in the spherical gravitational collapse of a bounded compact object made up of an imperfect fluid. We show that non-singular as well as singular solutions arise in the collapse of a fluid initially at rest and having only a tangential pressure. We obtain an exact solution of Einstein equations, in the form of an infinite series, for collapse under tangential pressure with a linear equation of state. We show that if a singularity forms in the tangential pressure model, the conditions for the singularity to be naked are exactly the same as in the model of dust collapse.Comment: Latex, 26 page