Distance estimates for action-minimizing solutions of the \(N\)-body problem (Q6069629)

The Newtonian $N$-body problem concerns the motion of $N$ mass points moving in $\mathbb{R}^d$, $d\in\{1,2,3\}$, in accordance with Newton's law of gravitation. In this paper, the authors provide estimates for mutual distances of periodic solutions for the Newtonian $N$-body problem, and they focus on the planar problem (for $d=2$). For any $\tau>0$, the action functional $A_\tau$ is the integral of the Lagrangian $L$ over the time interval $[0,\tau]$, with possible collisions at either endpoints $t=0$ or $t=\tau$, which are critical points of $A_\tau$. In this paper, the authors' estimates are based on masses, total variations of turning angles for relative positions, and on predetermined upper bounds $\alpha$, for action values. Explicit formulae are proved by iterative arguments. The main idea was to introduced some iterative procedures to achieve finer and finer bounds. Finally, the authors demonstrate applications of their estimates to some action-minimizing solutions for the three- and four-body problems.