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On the number of light rings in curved spacetimes of ultra-compact objects

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

5 Pith papers citing it
abstract

In a very interesting paper, Cunha, Berti, and Herdeiro have recently claimed that ultra-compact objects, self-gravitating horizonless solutions of the Einstein field equations which have a light ring, must possess at least {\it two} (and, in general, an even number of) light rings, of which the inner one is {\it stable}. In the present compact paper we explicitly prove that, while this intriguing theorem is generally true, there is an important exception in the presence of degenerate light rings which, in the spherically symmetric static case, are characterized by the simple dimensionless relation $8\pi r^2_{\gamma}(\rho+p_{\text{T}})=1$ [here $r_{\gamma}$ is the radius of the light ring and $\{\rho,p_{\text{T}}\}$ are respectively the energy density and tangential pressure of the matter fields]. Ultra-compact objects which belong to this unique family can have an {\it odd} number of light rings. As a concrete example, we show that spherically symmetric constant density stars with dimensionless compactness $M/R=1/3$ possess only {\it one} light ring which, interestingly, is shown to be {\it unstable}.

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fields

gr-qc 3 hep-th 2

years

2026 4 2025 1

verdicts

UNVERDICTED 5

roles

background 2

polarities

background 1 unclear 1

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representative citing papers

Topological charge and black hole photon spheres in massive gravity

gr-qc · 2025-09-04 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

In dRGT massive gravity, static spherically symmetric black holes exhibit zero, one, or two photon spheres whose topological charges and stability patterns differ from Einstein gravity and from horizonless compact objects.

On Black Holes Surrounded by Radiation: I. Classical Considerations

hep-th · 2026-06-29 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

Presents classical GR solutions for black holes enveloped by ultra-relativistic orbiting particle shells that extend the photon sphere to arbitrary depth while remaining optically indistinguishable from standard black holes.

As Cold as a Black Hole: Extended Photon Spheres

hep-th · 2026-06-29 · unverdicted · novelty 5.0

A necessary and sufficient condition for thermodynamic mimicry of Schwarzschild black holes is satisfied by a one-parameter family of self-similar systems including hillingar black holes, stiffest stars, and frozen stars, derived from photon-sphere control of junction conditions and the TOV equation

citing papers explorer

Showing 5 of 5 citing papers.

  • Strong-deflection expansion of the deflection angle near a degenerate photon sphere gr-qc · 2026-03-09 · unverdicted · none · ref 22 · internal anchor

    Derives a factorized leading term for the strong deflection angle near degenerate photon spheres using local expansion of the effective potential and Weyl tensor measures.

  • Topological charge and black hole photon spheres in massive gravity gr-qc · 2025-09-04 · unverdicted · none · ref 49 · internal anchor

    In dRGT massive gravity, static spherically symmetric black holes exhibit zero, one, or two photon spheres whose topological charges and stability patterns differ from Einstein gravity and from horizonless compact objects.

  • Analog regular black holes and black hole mimickers for surface-gravity waves in fluids gr-qc · 2026-04-09 · unverdicted · none · ref 50

    Surface-gravity waves in shallow water can be configured with central and graded drainage to analogize regular black holes and mimickers, enabling lab study of their instabilities.

  • On Black Holes Surrounded by Radiation: I. Classical Considerations hep-th · 2026-06-29 · unverdicted · none · ref 11 · internal anchor

    Presents classical GR solutions for black holes enveloped by ultra-relativistic orbiting particle shells that extend the photon sphere to arbitrary depth while remaining optically indistinguishable from standard black holes.

  • As Cold as a Black Hole: Extended Photon Spheres hep-th · 2026-06-29 · unverdicted · none · ref 58 · internal anchor

    A necessary and sufficient condition for thermodynamic mimicry of Schwarzschild black holes is satisfied by a one-parameter family of self-similar systems including hillingar black holes, stiffest stars, and frozen stars, derived from photon-sphere control of junction conditions and the TOV equation