0000000000755974
AUTHOR
Bartolom�� Coll
Relativistic Positioning Systems: current status
A {\em relativistic positioning system} consists in a set of four clocks broadcasting their respective proper time by means of light signals. Among them, the more important ones are the {\em auto-located positioning systems,} in which every clock broadcasts not only its proper time but also the proper times that it receives from the other three. At this level, no reference to any exterior system (the Earth surface, for example) and no synchronization are needed. The current status of the theory of relativistic positioning systems is sketched.
Physics of Relativistic Perfect Fluids
A criterion is presented and discussed to detect when a divergence-free perfect fluid energy tensor in the space-time describes an evolution in local thermal equilibrium. This criterion is applied to the class II Szafron-Szekeres perfect fluid space-times solutions, giving a very simple characterization of those that describe such thermal evolutions. For all of them, the significant thermodynamic variables are explicitly obtained. Also, the specific condition is given under which the divergence-free perfect fluid energy tensors may be interpreted as an ideal gas.