On the principle of relativity and electrostatics in a flat spacetime with a compact spatial dimension

TL;DR

This paper investigates the principle of relativity in a flat spacetime with a compact spatial dimension, challenging claims that local experiments can identify privileged inertial observers in such a setting.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis disputing previous claims about the detectability of privileged inertial frames in compactified flat spacetime.

Findings

Local experiments cannot determine privileged inertial observers in this spacetime

The analysis clarifies the role of compact dimensions in relativity

Challenges previous assertions about privileged frames

Abstract

We study a flat spacetime with a compact spatial dimension and dispute the claim of Bansal, Laing, and Sriharan that a local experiment can determine whether or not an inertial observer is "privileged" in this spacetime.