On the nature of initial singularities for solutions of the Einstein-Vlasov-scalar field system with surface symmetry

Global existence results in the past time direction of cosmological models with collisionless matter and a massless scalar field are presented. It is shown that the singularity is crushing and that the Kretschmann scalar diverges uniformly as the singularity is approached. In the case without Vlasov matter, the singularity is velocity dominated and the generalized Kasner exponents converge at each spatial point as the singularity is approached

Local existence and continuation criteria for solutions of the Einstein-Vlasov-scalar field system with surface symmetry

We prove in the cases of spherical, plane and hyperbolic symmetry a local in time existence theorem and continuation criteria for cosmological solutions of the Einstein-Vlasov-scalar field system, with the sources generated by a distribution function and a scalar field, subject to the Vlasov and wave equations respectively. This system describes the evolution of self-gravitating collisionless matter and scalar waves within the context of general relativity. In the case where the only source is a scalar field it is shown that a global existence result can be deduced from the general theorem.Comment: 33 pages, typos corrected, second conclusion of theorem 4.5 and remark 4.6 remove

On the nature of initial singularities for solutions of the Einstein-Vlasov-scalar field system with surface symmetry

Global existence results in the past time direction of cosmological models with collisionless matter and a massless scalar field are presented. It is shown that the singularity is crushing and that the Kretschmann scalar diverges uniformly as the singularity is approached. In the case without Vlasov matter, the singularity is velocity dominated and the generalized Kasner exponents converge at each spatial point as the singularity is approached

Global existence and future asymptotic behaviour for solutions of the Einstein-Vlasov-scalar field system with surface symmetry

We prove in the cases of plane and hyperbolic symmetries a global in time existence result in the future for comological solutions of the Einstein-Vlasov-scalar field system, with the sources generated by a distribution function and a scalar field, subject to the Vlasov and wave equations respectively. The spacetime is future geodesically complete in the special case of plane symmetry with only a scalar field. Causal geodesics are also shown to be future complete for homogeneous solutions of the Einstein-Vlasov-scalar field system with plane and hyperbolic symmetry.Comment: 14 page

Inextendibility of expanding cosmological models with symmetry

A new criterion for inextendibility of expanding cosmological models with symmetry is presented. It is applied to derive a number of new results and to simplify the proofs of existing ones. In particular it shows that the solutions of the Einstein-Vlasov system with $T^2$ symmetry, including the vacuum solutions, are inextendible in the future. The technique introduced adds a qualitatively new element to the available tool-kit for studying strong cosmic censorship.Comment: 7 page

Strong cosmic censorship for solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell field equations with polarized Gowdy symmetry

A proof of strong cosmic censorship is presented for a class of solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell equations, those with polarized Gowdy symmetry. A key element of the argument is the observation that by means of a suitable choice of variables the central equations in this problem can be written in a form where they are identical to the central equations for general (i.e. non-polarized) vacuum Gowdy spacetimes. Using this it is seen that the deep results of Ringstr\"om on strong cosmic censorship in the vacuum case have implications for the Einstein-Maxwell case. Working out the geometrical meaning of these analytical results leads to the main conclusion.Comment: Some references have been change

Theorems on existence and global dynamics for the Einstein equations

This article is a guide to theorems on existence and global dynamics of solutions of the Einstein equations. It draws attention to open questions in the field. The local-in-time Cauchy problem, which is relatively well understood, is surveyed. Global results for solutions with various types of symmetry are discussed. A selection of results from Newtonian theory and special relativity that offer useful comparisons is presented. Treatments of global results in the case of small data and results on constructing spacetimes with prescribed singularity structure or late-time asymptotics are given. A conjectural picture of the asymptotic behaviour of general cosmological solutions of the Einstein equations is built up. Some miscellaneous topics connected with the main theme are collected in a separate section.Comment: Submitted to Living Reviews in Relativity, major update of Living Rev. Rel. 5 (2002)

The Einstein-Vlasov System/Kinetic Theory

The main purpose of this article is to provide a guide to theorems on global properties of solutions to the Einstein--Vlasov system. This system couples Einstein's equations to a kinetic matter model. Kinetic theory has been an important field of research during several decades in which the main focus has been on non-relativistic and special relativistic physics, i.e., to model the dynamics of neutral gases, plasmas, and Newtonian self-gravitating systems. In 1990, Rendall and Rein initiated a mathematical study of the Einstein--Vlasov system. Since then many theorems on global properties of solutions to this system have been established.Comment: Published version http://www.livingreviews.org/lrr-2011-