Non-Gaussian ground-state deformations near a black-hole singularity
Abstract
The singularity theorem by Hawking and Penrose qualifies Schwarzschild black-holes as geodesic incomplete space-times. Albeit this is a mathematically rigorous statement, it requires an operational framework that allows to probe the space-like singularity via a measurement process. Any such framework necessarily has to be based on quantum theory. As a consequence, the notion of classical completeness needs to be adapted to situations where the only adequate description is in terms of quantum fields in dynamical space-times. It is shown that Schwarzschild black-holes turn out to be complete when probed by self-interacting quantum fields in the ground state and in excited states. The measure for populating quantum fields on hypersurfaces in the vicinity of the black-hole singularity goes to zero towards the singularity. This statement is robust under non-Gaussian deformations of and excitations relative to the ground state. The clash of completeness cultures as exemplified with black holes is discussed.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1611.07981,
title = {Non-Gaussian ground-state deformations near a black-hole singularity},
author = {Stefan Hofmann and Marc Schneider},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1611.07981},
year = {2017}
}
Comments
6 pages