Quantum Singularities in Black Hole Spacetime Systems with Timelike Classical Singularities
Abstract
General relativity is currently the best theory that describes gravitation, one of the four basic forces of nature. A thorough understanding of general relativity is essential for navigation systems reliant upon GPS to operate with accurate and precise measurements over time. Classical general relativity predicts the existence of irremovable singularities, points in space where a mathematical description of the spacetime breaks down" due to geodesic incompleteness. These singularities are found in a host of relativistic spacetimes, including those of observable astrophysical objects such as black hole systems. In our study, timelike curvature singularities associated with a group of super-extremal spacetimes are analyzed with a quantum wave packet in place of geodesic incompleteness. In this case, these singularities may be removed" or healed" without imposing boundary conditions. The super-extremal spacetimes explored include overcharged and overspinning black hole systems with naked singularities and different assumptions such as penetration by a cosmic string, a higher dimensional universe background, or in expanding or contracting cosmologies. The technique to determine quantum singularities focuses on analysis of the spatial segment of the minimally coupled, relativistic Klein Gordon wave operator for a massive scalar particle and whether it is essentially self-adjoint. Both, Weyl's limit-point, limit-circle criterion and deficiency indices are used to determine self-adjointness. By using self-adjointness properties, the spacetime can be characterized as quantum mechanically singular or nonsingular. This method can help in determining the behavior of quantum particles, including the Higgs and other bosons found in spontaneous symmetry breaking models, near a black hole singularity. Our results indicate the quantum wave operator is not essentially self-adjoint for the spherically-symmetric spacetimes and spacetimes with cosmic strings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 20, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1074335
Entities
People
- Drew M. Weninger