Spherical Gravitating Systems of Arbitrary Dimension

We study spherically symmetric solutions to the Einstein field equations under the assumption that the space-time may possess an arbitrary number of spatial dimensions. The general solution of Synge is extended to describe systems of any dimension. Arbitrary dimension analogues of known four dimensional solutions are also presented, derived using the above scheme. Finally, we discuss the requirements for the existence of Birkhoff's theorems in space-times of arbitrary dimension with or without matter fields present. Cases are discussed where the assumptions of the theorem are considerably weakened yet the theorem still holds. We also discuss where the weakening of certain conditions may cause the theorem to fail.Comment: 14 pages with one fugure. Uses AMS fonts and Prog. Theor. Phys. style files. Added section on neutron star and anisotropic fluid star as well as Comments on Buchdahl's theorem and more analysis regarding the Birkhoff's theorem. Accepted for publication in Prog. Theor. Phy

Inhomogeneous cosmologies with tachyonic dust as dark matter

A cosmology is considered driven by a stress-energy tensor consisting of a perfect fluid, an inhomogeneous pressure term (which we call a ``tachyonic dust'' for reasons which will become apparent) and a cosmological constant. The inflationary, radiation dominated and matter dominated eras are investigated in detail. In all three eras, the tachyonic pressure decreases with increasing radius of the universe and is thus minimal in the matter dominated era. The gravitational effects of the dust, however, may still strongly affect the universe at present time. In case the tachyonic pressure is positive, it enhances the overall matter {\em density} and is a candidate for dark matter. In the case where the tachyonic pressure is negative, the recent acceleration of the universe can be understood without the need for a cosmological constant. The ordinary matter, however, has positive energy density at all times. In a later section, the extension to a variable cosmological term is investigated and a specific model is put forward such that recent acceleration and future re-collapse is possible.Comment: 23 pages, four figures. Updated version incorporates some changes in the introduction. Clarification on why the term tachyonic is used. References added. Accepted for publication in General Relativity and Gravitatio