Extra Dimensions and Possible Space-Time Signature Changes

Abstract

Exact static, spherically symmetric solutions to the Einstein-Maxwell-scalar equations, with a dilatonic-type scalar-vector coupling, in $D$-dimensional gravity with a chain of $n$ Ricci-flat internal spaces are considered, with the Maxwell field potential having two nonzero components: the temporal, Coulomb-like one and the one pointing to one of the extra dimensions. The properties and special cases of the solutions are discussed, in particular, those when there are horizons in the space-time. Two types of horizons are distinguished: the conventional black-hole (BH) ones and those at which the physical section of the space-time changes its signature (the latter are called {\it T-horizons}). Two theorems are proved, one fixing the BH- and T-horizon existence conditions, the other claiming that the system under study cannot have a regular center. The stability of a selected family of solutions under spherically symmetric perturbations is studied. It is shown that only black-hole solutions are stable, while all others, in particular, those with T-horizons are unstable.