The Einstein-Vlasov system (Q3155138)

In these lectures the author has surveyed a selection of work on the Einstein-Vlasov system. The Einstein equations are coupled to some other partial differential equations describing the matter content of spacetime. One of these matter models is collisionless matter described by the Vlasov equation. This equation gives a statistical description of a collection of particles in kinetic theory for which there is no direct interaction between particles. The best known applications of the Vlasov equation to self-gravitating systems are to stellar dynamics. It can also be applied to cosmology. The author discusses the definition and the general mathematical properties of the considered partial differential system. Then he formulates the Cauchy problem for this system. The central theme is the global Cauchy problem, where ``global'' means global in time. The existence and uniqueness theorem for the Cauchy problem has the following essential meaning. Given an initial data set (satisfying the constraints) there exists a corresponding solution of the Einstein-Vlasov system and this solution is locally unique up to diffeomorphism. The author considers different symmetry classes proceeding from the strongest to the weakest assumptions: spatially homogeneous solutions, inhomogeneous solutions which are static and spherically symmetric, solutions with an isotropic singularity etc. For the entire collection see [Zbl 1048.83001].