24124943
Toward a quantization of null dust collapse
Spherically symmetric, null dust clouds, like their timelike counterparts, may collapse classically into black holes or naked singularities depending on their initial conditions. We consider the Hamiltonian dynamics of the collapse of an arbitrary distribution of null dust, expressed in terms of the physical radius R, the null coordinates, V for a collapsing cloud or U for an expanding cloud, the mass function m of the null matter, and their conjugate momenta. This description is obtained from the Arnowitt-Deser-Misner description by a Kucha\ifmmode \check{r}\else \v{r}\fi{}-type canonical transformation. The constraints are linear in the canonical momenta and Dirac's constraint quantization program is implemented. Explicit solutions to the constraints are obtained for both expanding and contracting null dust clouds with arbitrary mass functions.
7721855
Gamma-Ray Bursts and Quantum Cosmic Censorship
Gamma-ray bursts are believed to result from the coalescence of binary neutron stars. However, the standard proposals for conversion of the gravitational energy to thermal energy have difficulties. We show that if the merger of the two neutron stars results in a naked singularity, instead of a black hole, the ensuing quantum particle creation can provide the requisite thermal energy in a straightforward way. The back-reaction of the created particles can avoid the formation of the naked singularity predicted by the classical theory. Hence cosmic censorship holds in the quantum theory, even if it were to be violated in classical general relativity.
17083361
Are Naked Singularities Forbidden by the Second Law of Thermodynamics
By now, many examples of naked singularities in classical general relativity are known. It may, however, be that a physical principle over and above the general theory prevents the occurrence of such singularities in nature. Assuming the validity of the Weyl curvature hypothesis, we propose that naked singularities are forbidden by the second law of thermodynamics.
16490636
The final fate of spherical inhomogeneous dust collapse
We examine, in a general manner, the role played by the initial density and velocity distributions in the gravitational collapse of a spherically symmetric inhomogeneous dust cloud. Such a collapse is described by the Tolman - Bondi metric which has two free functions: the `mass function' and the `energy function', which are determined by the initial density and velocity profiles of the cloud. The collapse can end in either a black hole or a naked singularity, depending on the initial parameters characterizing these profiles. In the marginally bound case, we find that the collapse ends in a naked singularity if the leading non-vanishing derivative of the density at the centre is either the first one or the second one. If the first two derivatives are zero, and the third derivative non-zero, the singularity could either be naked or covered, depending on a quantity determined by the third derivative and the central density. If the first three derivatives are zero, the collapse ends in a black hole. In particular, the classic result of Oppenheimer and Snyder, that homogeneous dust collapse leads to a black hole, is recovered as a special case. Analogous results are found when the cloud is not marginally bound, and also for the case of a cloud starting from rest. A condition on the initial density profile is given for the singularity to be globally naked. We also show how the strength of the naked singularity depends on the density and velocity distribution. Our analysis generalizes and simplifies the earlier works of Christodoulou and Newman by dropping the assumption of evenness of density functions. It turns out that relaxing this assumption allows for a smooth transition from the naked singularity phase to the black hole phase, and also allows for the occurrence of strong curvature naked singularities.
118799017
MODIFIED GRAVITY AS A COMMON CAUSE FOR COSMIC ACCELERATION AND FLAT GALAXY ROTATION CURVES
Flat galaxy rotation curves and the accelerating Universe both imply the existence of a critical acceleration, which is of the same order of magnitude in both the cases, in spite of the galactic and cosmic length scales being vastly different. Yet, it is customary to explain galactic acceleration by invoking gravitationally bound dark matter, and cosmic acceleration by invoking a "repulsive" dark energy. Instead, might it not be the case that the flatness of rotation curves and the acceleration of the Universe have a common cause? In this essay we propose a modified theory of gravity. By applying the theory on galactic scales we demonstrate flat rotation curves without dark matter, and by applying it on cosmological scales we demonstrate cosmic acceleration without dark energy.
118717812
Thermodynamics and the naked singularity in the Gamma-metric
We investigate a possible way of establishing a parallel between the third law of black hole mechanics, and the strong version of the third law of thermodynamics. We calculate the surface gravity and area for a naked singular null surface in the Gamma-metric and explain in what sense this behaviour violates thermodynamics.
123030808
Field of a charged particle in general scalar-tensor theory
The field equations in the general scalar-tensor theory of gravitation proposed by Bergmann, Wagoner, and Nordtvedt are studied for a charged static and spherically symmetric vacuum field. Closed-form exact solutions of the field equations are presented for the scalar-tensor theories in the form due to Barker and Schwinger. The solutions may be considered as describing the field of a charged mass point surrounded by a scalar-tensor field.
122321601
Scalar-tensor theories of gravitation: Foundations and prospects
A generalization of Einstein's theory is discussed in which the gravitation is described by a tensor and a scalar field. The theory is more consistent with Mach's principle and less reliant on absolute properties of space. The modification involves a violation of the “strong principle of equivalence” on which Einstein's theory is based. In the original version of this new theory, the “constant” of gravitationG is varying and particle masses are fixed. Later on another version of the theory was given in whichG is truly a constant and the particle masses vary. The two versions are related by a conformal transformation. The physical and mathematical foundations of this theory have been discussed and the field equations have been derived. The astrophysical and cosmological consequences of the theory have been elaborately reviewed.
121342913
Higher-dimensional cosmological model with variable gravitational constant and bulk viscosity in Lyra geometry
We have studied five-dimensional homogeneous cosmological models with variableG and bulk viscosity in Lyra geometry. Exact solutions for the field equations have been obtained and physical properties of the models are discussed. It has been observed that the results of new models are well within the observational limit.
121342410
Bianchi type-V cosmological models with perfect fluid and dark energy
We consider a self-consistent system of Bianchi type-V cosmology and binary mixture of perfect fluid and dark energy. The perfect fluid is taken to be one obeying the usual equation of state p=γρ with γ∈[0,1]. The dark energy is considered to be either the quintessence or Chaplygin gas. Exact solutions to the corresponding Einstein equations are obtained as a quadrature. The cases of disordered radiation and models with power-law and exponential expansion have discussed in detail. For large t, the models tend to be isotropic.
118710628
A cosmic no-hair theorem for inhomogeneous cosmologies in scalar-tensor theories.