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Understanding critical collapse of a scalar field

3 Pith papers cite this work. Polarity classification is still indexing.

3 Pith papers citing it
abstract

I construct a spherically symmetric solution for a massless real scalar field minimally coupled to general relativity which is discretely self-similar (DSS) and regular. This solution coincides with the intermediate attractor found by Choptuik in critical gravitational collapse. The echoing period is Delta = 3.4453 +/- 0.0005. The solution is continued to the future self-similarity horizon, which is also the future light cone of a naked singularity. The scalar field and metric are C1 but not C2 at this Cauchy horizon. The curvature is finite nevertheless, and the horizon carries regular null data. These are very nearly flat. The solution has exactly one growing perturbation mode, thus confirming the standard explanation for universality. The growth of this mode corresponds to a critical exponent of gamma = 0.374 +/- 0.001, in agreement with the best experimental value. I predict that in critical collapse dominated by a DSS critical solution, the scaling of the black hole mass shows a periodic wiggle, which like gamma is universal. My results carry over to the free complex scalar field. Connections with previous investigations of self-similar scalar field solutions are discussed, as well as an interpretation of Delta and gamma as anomalous dimensions.

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gr-qc 3

years

2026 1 2025 2

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UNVERDICTED 3

roles

background 1

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background 1

representative citing papers

Critical spacetime crystals in continuous dimensions

gr-qc · 2026-02-10 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Numerical construction of a one-parameter family of discretely self-similar critical spacetimes for massless scalar collapse in continuous D>3, giving echoing period Delta(D) and Choptuik exponent gamma(D) with a maximum in Delta near D=3.76.

Quantum Critical Collapse Abhors a Naked Singularity

gr-qc · 2025-09-03 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

One-loop quantum vacuum polarization in Einstein-scalar critical collapse generates a horizon and finite mass gap, enforcing black hole formation even under arbitrary fine-tuning.

Unveiling horizons in quantum critical collapse

gr-qc · 2025-09-03 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0 · 2 refs

Semiclassical one-loop analysis of solvable near-critical collapse solutions shows quantum corrections selecting a Boulware-like state and producing a growing mode that yields a finite mass gap and a transition to Type I behavior, enforcing weak cosmic censorship.

citing papers explorer

Showing 3 of 3 citing papers.

  • Critical spacetime crystals in continuous dimensions gr-qc · 2026-02-10 · unverdicted · none · ref 19 · internal anchor

    Numerical construction of a one-parameter family of discretely self-similar critical spacetimes for massless scalar collapse in continuous D>3, giving echoing period Delta(D) and Choptuik exponent gamma(D) with a maximum in Delta near D=3.76.

  • Quantum Critical Collapse Abhors a Naked Singularity gr-qc · 2025-09-03 · unverdicted · none · ref 15 · internal anchor

    One-loop quantum vacuum polarization in Einstein-scalar critical collapse generates a horizon and finite mass gap, enforcing black hole formation even under arbitrary fine-tuning.

  • Unveiling horizons in quantum critical collapse gr-qc · 2025-09-03 · unverdicted · none · ref 18 · 2 links · internal anchor

    Semiclassical one-loop analysis of solvable near-critical collapse solutions shows quantum corrections selecting a Boulware-like state and producing a growing mode that yields a finite mass gap and a transition to Type I behavior, enforcing weak cosmic censorship.