Time machines and the Principle of Self-Consistency as a consequence of the Principle of Stationary Action (II): the Cauchy problem for a self-interacting relativistic particle

We consider the action principle to derive the classical, relativistic motion of a self-interacting particle in a 4-D Lorentzian spacetime containing a wormhole and which allows the existence of closed time-like curves. In particular, we study the case of a pointlike particle subject to a `hard-sphere' self-interaction potential and which can traverse the wormhole an arbitrary number of times, and show that the only possible trajectories for which the classical action is stationary are those which are globally self-consistent. Generically, the multiplicity of these trajectories (defined as the number of self-consistent solutions to the equations of motion beginning with given Cauchy data) is finite, and it becomes infinite if certain constraints on the same initial data are satisfied. This confirms the previous conclusions (for a non-relativistic model) by Echeverria, Klinkhammer and Thorne that the Cauchy initial value problem in the presence of a wormhole `time machine' is classically `ill-posed' (far too many solutions). Our results further extend the recent claim by Novikov et al. that the `Principle of self-consistency' is a natural consequence of the `Principle of minimal action.'Comment: 39 pages, latex fil

The Moutard transformation and two-dimensional multi-point delta-type potentials

In the framework of the Moutard transformation formalism we find multi-point delta-type potentials of two-dimensional Schrodinger operators and their isospectral deformations on the zero energy level. In particular, these potentials are "reflectionless" in the sense of the Faddeev generalized "scattering" data.Comment: 4 page

Slim accretion discs: a model for ADAF-SLE transitions

We numerically construct slim, global, vertically integrated models of optically thin, transonic accretion discs around black holes, assuming a regularity condition at the sonic radius and boundary conditions at the outer radius of the disc and near the black hole. In agreement with several previous studies, we find two branches of shock-free solutions, in which the cooling is dominated either by advection, or by local radiation. We also confirm that the part of the accretion flow where advection dominates is in some circumstances limited in size: it does not extend beyond a certain outer limiting radius. New results found in our paper concern the location of the limiting radius and properties of the flow near to it. In particular, we find that beyond the limiting radius, the advective dominated solutions match on to Shapiro, Lightman & Eardley (SLE) discs through a smooth transition region. Therefore, the full global solutions are shock-free and unlimited in size. There is no need for postulating an extra physical effect (e.g. evaporation) for triggering the ADAF-SLE transition. It occurs due to standard accretion processes described by the classic slim disc equations.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, MNRAS accepte

The electrification of spacecraft

Physical and applied aspects of the electrification of space vehicles and natural celestial objects are discussed, the factors resulting in electrification of spacecraft are analyzed, and methods of investigating various phenomena associated with this electrification and ways of protecting spacecraft against the influence of static electricity are described. The booklet is intended for the general reader interested in present day questions of space technology

Inertia of Heat in Advective Accretion Disks around Kerr Black Holes

In the innermost region of the advective accretion disk orbiting a black hole of high spin, the inertia of heat stored in the accreting gas is comparable to that of the gas rest mass itself. Accounting for this effect, we derive additional terms in the disk structure equations, and show that the heat inertia plays a significant role in the global energy conservation and dynamics of accretion in the relativistic advective disks.Comment: 6 pages, Latex, submitted to ApJ

Two-dimensional algebro-geometric difference operators

A generalized inverse problem for a two-dimensional difference operator is introduced. A new construction of the algebro-geometric difference operators of two types first considered by I.M.Krichever and S.P.Novikov is proposedComment: 11 pages; added references, enlarged introduction, rewritten abstrac