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Critical collapse of a complex scalar field with angular momentum
Matthew W Choptuik1, Eric W Hirschmann, Steven L Liebling
1CIAR Cosmology and Gravity Program, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada.
Physical Review Letters
|November 5, 2004
Summary
Researchers discovered a new critical solution for gravitational collapse involving a complex scalar field with angular momentum. This nonspherical solution exhibits discrete self-similarity and scaling properties, suggesting universality in black hole formation.
Area of Science:
- Theoretical Physics
- General Relativity
- Cosmology
Background:
- Gravitational collapse is a fundamental process in astrophysics, leading to the formation of compact objects like black holes.
- Understanding the critical behavior during collapse is key to unlocking universal properties of these objects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the critical threshold of gravitational collapse for a complex scalar field carrying angular momentum.
- To characterize the properties of the resulting critical solution, including its symmetry and self-similarity.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations of axisymmetric gravitational collapse.
- Analysis of the scalar field's azimuthal dependence to maintain overall axisymmetry.
- Identification and characterization of critical solutions exhibiting discrete self-similarity.
Main Results:
- A new nonspherical critical solution was found at the threshold of collapse for a complex scalar field with angular momentum.
- The solution demonstrates discrete self-similarity with an echoing exponent Delta=0.42(±4%).
- A scaling exponent gamma=0.11(±10%) was observed in near-critical collapse, indicating universal behavior.
Conclusions:
- The discovered critical solution suggests a universal mechanism for black hole formation within the imposed symmetry class.
- The solution's properties, including its complex phase and family-dependent constant, offer insights into the dynamics of gravitational collapse.