Geometry and physics of charged rotating discs of dust in Einstein-Maxwell theory

Within general relativity geometrical and physical properties of the charged rotating disc of dust, which is an axisymmetric, stationary and reflection symmetric solution of the Einstein-Maxwell equations, are investigated. A rigid rotation around the axis of symmetry and a constant specific charge are assumed in this model. The disc solution is given in terms of a post-Newtonian expansion up to the tenth order. In this thesis, questions related to the Ehrenfest paradox are addressed and the intrinsic spatial curvature of the disc, i.e. the Gaussian curvature, is analysed. Furthermore, the disc’s proper surface mass density, its gravitational and electromagnetic multipole moments, the formation of an ergosphere and the circular motion of test particles in the equatorial plane of the disc are examined.