Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Brien C. Nolan

Publications and source records attributed to Brien C. Nolan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2009

Einstein-Rosen waves and the self-similarity hypothesis in cylindrical symmetry

The self-similarity hypothesis claims that in classical general relativity, spherically symmetric solutions may naturally evolve to a self-similar form in certain circumstances. In this context, the validity of the corresponding hypothesis in nonspherical geometry is very interesting as there may exist gravitational waves. We investigate self-similar vacuum solutions to the Einstein equation in the so-called whole-cylinder symmetry. We find that those solutions are reduced to part of the Minkowski spacetime with a regular or conically singular axis and with trivial or nontrivial topology if the homothetic vector is orthogonal to the cylinders of symmetry. These solutions are analogous to the Milne universe, but only in the direction parallel to the axis. Using these solutions, we discuss the nonuniqueness (and nonvanishing nature) of C energy and the existence of a cylindrical trapping horizon in Minkowski spacetime. Then, as we generalize the analysis, we find a two-parameter family of self-similar vacuum solutions, where the homothetic vector is not orthogonal to the cylinders in general. The family includes the Minkowski, the Kasner and the cylindrical Milne solutions. The obtained solutions describe the interior to the exploding (imploding) shell of gravitational waves or the collapse (explosion) of gravitational waves involving singularities from nonsingular initial data in general. Since recent numerical simulations strongly suggest that one of these solutions may describe the asymptotic behavior of gravitational waves from the collapse of a dust cylinder, this means that the self-similarity hypothesis is naturally generalized to cylindrical symmetry.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2009

Gauge invariant perturbations of self-similar Lemaître-Tolman-Bondi spacetime: even parity modes with $l\geq 2$

In this paper we consider gauge invariant linear perturbations of the metric and matter tensors describing the self-similar Lemaître-Tolman-Bondi (timelike dust) spacetime containing a naked singularity. We decompose the angular part of the perturbation in terms of spherical harmonics and perform a Mellin transform to reduce the perturbation equations to a set of ordinary differential equations with singular points. We fix initial data so the perturbation is finite on the axis and the past null cone of the singularity, and follow the perturbation modes up to the Cauchy horizon. There we argue that certain scalars formed from the modes of the perturbation remain finite, indicating linear stability of the Cauchy horizon.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2007

Is the shell-focusing singularity of Szekeres space-time visible?

The visibility of the shell-focusing singularity in Szekeres space-time - which represents quasi-spherical dust collapse - has been studied on numerous occasions in the context of the cosmic censorship conjecture. The various results derived have assumed that there exist radial null geodesics in the space-time. We show that such geodesics do not exist in general, and so previous results on the visibility of the singularity are not generally valid. More precisely, we show that the existence of a radial geodesic in Szekeres space-time implies that the space-time is axially symmetric, with the geodesic along the polar direction (i.e. along the axis of symmetry). If there is a second non-parallel radial geodesic, then the space-time is spherically symmetric, and so is a Lema\^ıtre-Tolman-Bondi (LTB) space-time. For the case of the polar geodesic in an axially symmetric Szekeres space-time, we give conditions on the free functions (i.e. initial data) of the space-time which lead to visibility of the singularity along this direction. Likewise, we give a sufficient condition for censorship of the singularity. We point out the complications involved in addressing the question of visibility of the singularity both for non-radial null geodesics in the axially symmetric case and in the general (non-axially symmetric) case, and suggest a possible approach.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2006

Odd-parity perturbations of self-similar Vaidya spacetime

We carry out an analytic study of odd-parity perturbations of the self-similar Vaidya space-times that admit a naked singularity. It is found that an initially finite perturbation remains finite at the Cauchy horizon. This holds not only for the gauge invariant metric and matter perturbation, but also for all the gauge invariant perturbed Weyl curvature scalars, including the gravitational radiation scalars. In each case, `finiteness' refers to Sobolev norms of scalar quantities on naturally occurring spacelike hypersurfaces, as well as pointwise values of these quantities.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2006

Bounds for scalar waves on self-similar naked-singularity backgrounds

The stability of naked singularities in self-similar collapse is probed using scalar waves. It is shown that the multipoles of a minimally coupled massless scalar field propagating on a spherically symmetric self-similar background spacetime admitting a naked singularity maintain finite $L^2$ norm as they impinge on the Cauchy horizon. It is also shown that each multipole obeys a pointwise bound at the horizon, as does its locally observed energy density. $L^2$ and pointwise bounds are also obtained for the multipoles of a minimally coupled massive scalar wave packet.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2005

Axially symmetric equilibrium regions of Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker universes

The study of the matching of stationary and axisymmetric spacetimes with Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker spacetimes preserving the axial symmetry is presented. We show, in particular, that any orthogonally transitive stationary and axisymmetric region in FLRW must be static, irrespective of the matter content. Therefore, previous results on static regions in FLRW cosmologies apply. As a result, the only stationary and axisymmetric vacuum region that can be matched to a (non-static) FLRW spacetime is a spherically symmetric region of Schwarzschild. This constitutes another uniqueness result for the Einstein-Straus model (as well as its Oppenheimer-Snyder counterpart), and hence another indication of its unsuitability as an answer to the influence of the cosmic expansion on local physics.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2005

Even perturbations of self-similar Vaidya space-time

We study even parity metric and matter perturbations of all angular modes in self-similar Vaidya space-time. We focus on the case where the background contains a naked singularity. Initial conditions are imposed describing a finite perturbation emerging from the portion of flat space-time preceding the matter-filled region of space-time. The most general perturbation satisfying the initial conditions is allowed impinge upon the Cauchy horizon (CH), whereat the perturbation remains finite: there is no ``blue-sheet'' instability. However when the perturbation evolves through the CH and onto the second future similarity horizon of the naked singularity, divergence necessarily occurs: this surface is found to be unstable. The analysis is based on the study of individual modes following a Mellin transform of the perturbation. We present an argument that the full perturbation remains finite after resummation of the (possibly infinite number of) modes.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2005

On global models for finite rotating objects in equilibrium in cosmological backgrounds

The studies in general relativity of rotating finite objects in equilibrium have usually focused on the case when they are truly isolated, this is, the models to describe finite objects are embedded in an asymptotically flat exterior vacuum. Known results ensure the uniqueness of the vacuum exterior field by using the boundary data for the exterior field given at the surface of the object plus the decay of the exterior field at infinity. The final aim of the present work is to study the consequences on the interior models by changing the boundary condition at infinity to one accounting for the embedding of the object in a cosmological background. Considering first the FLRW standard cosmological backgrounds, we are studying the general matching of FLRW with stationary axisymmetric spacetimes in order to find the new boundary condition for the vacuum region. Here we present the first results.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2004

Physical interpretation of gauge invariant perturbations of spherically symmetric space-times

By calculating the Newman-Penrose Weyl tensor components of a perturbed spherically symmetric space-time with respect to invariantly defined classes of null tetrads, we give a physical interpretation, in terms of gravitational radiation, of odd parity gauge invariant metric perturbations. We point out how these gauge invariants may be used in setting boundary and/or initial conditions in perturbation theory.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2004

The role of anisotropy and inhomogeneity in Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi collapse

We study the effects of shear and density inhomogeneities in the formation of naked singularities in spherically symmetric dust space--times. We find that in general neither of these physical features alone uniquely specifies the end state of the gravitational collapse. We do this by (i) showing that, for open sets of initial data, the same initial shear (or initial density contrast) can give rise to both naked and covered solutions. In particular this can happen for zero initial shear or zero initial density contrast; (ii) demonstrating that both shear and density contrast are invariant under a one parameter set of linear transformations acting on the initial data set and (iii) showing that asymptotically (near the singularities) one cannot in general establish a direct relationship between the rate of change of shear (or density contrast) and the nature of the singularities. However, one can uniquely determine the nature of the singularity if both the initial shear and initial density contrast are known. These results are important in understanding the effects of the initial physical state and in particular the role of shear, in determiming the end state of the gravitational collapse.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2003

Dynamical extensions for shell-crossing singularities

We derive global weak solutions of Einstein's equations for spherically symmetric dust-filled space-times which admit shell-crossing singularities. In the marginally bound case, the solutions are weak solutions of a conservation law. In the non-marginally bound case, the equations are solved in a generalized sense involving metric functions of bounded variation. The solutions are not unique to the future of the shell-crossing singularity, which is replaced by a shock wave in the present treatment; the metric is bounded but not continuous.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2002

Geometry and topology of singularities in spherical dust collapse

We derive some more results on the nature of the singularities arising in the collapse of inhomogeneous dust spheres. (i) It is shown that there are future-pointing radial and non-radial time-like geodesics emerging from the singularity if and only if there are future-pointing radial null geodesics emerging from the singularity. (ii) Limits of various space-time invariants and other useful quantities (relating to Thorne's point-cigar-barrel-pancake classification and to isotropy/entropy measures) are studied in the approach to the singularity. (iii) The topology of the singularity is studied from the point of view of ideal boundary structure. In each case, the different nature of the visible and censored region of the singularity is emphasized.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2001

Comment on ``Strength and genericity of singularities in Tolman-Bondi-de Sitter collapse'' and a note on central singularities

It has been claimed that the Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi-de Sitter solution always admits future-pointing radial time-like geodesics emerging from the shell-focussing singularity, regardless of the nature of the (regular) initial data. This is despite the fact that some data rule out the emergence of future pointing radial null geodesics. We correct this claim and show that in general in spherical symmetry, the absence of radial null geodesics emerging from a central singularity is sufficient to prove that the singularity is censored.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2001

Sectors of spherical homothetic collapse

A study is undertaken of the gravitational collapse of spherically symmetric thick shells admitting a homothetic Killing vector field under the assumption that the energy momentum tensor corresponds to the absence of a pure outgoing component of field. The energy-momentum tensor is not specified beyond this, but is assumed to satisfy the strong and dominant energy conditions. The metric tensor depends on only one function of the similarity variable and the energy conditions identify a class of functions ${\cal F}$ to which the metric function may belong. The possible global structure of such space-times is determined, with particular attention being paid to singularities and their temporal nature (naked or censored). It is shown that there are open subsets of ${\cal F}$ which correspond to naked singularities; in this sense, such singularities are stable. Furthermore, it is shown that these singularities can arise from regular (continuous), asymptotically flat initial data which deviate from the trivial data by an arbitrarily small amount.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2001

A note on behaviour at an isotropic singularity

The behaviour of Jacobi fields along a time-like geodesic running into an isotropic singularity is studied. It is shown that the Jacobi fields are crushed to zero length at a rate which is the same in every direction orthogonal to the geodesic. We show by means of a counter-example that this crushing effect depends crucially on a technicality of the definition of isotropic singularities, and not just on the uniform degeneracy of the metric at the singularity.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2000

The Central Singularity in Spherical Collapse

The gravitational strength of the central singularity in spherically symmetric space-times is investigated. Necessary conditions for the singularity to be gravitationally weak are derived and it is shown that these are violated in a wide variety of circumstances. These conditions allow conclusions to be drawn about the nature of the singularity without having to integrate the geodesic equations. In particular, any geodesic with a non-zero amount of angular momentum which impinges on the singularity terminates in a strong curvature singularity.

gr-qc↗
arXiv1999

A point mass in an isotropic universe: III. The region $R\leq 2m$

McVittie's solution of Einstein's field equations, representing a point mass embedded into an isotropic universe, possesses a scalar curvature singularity at proper radius $R=2m$. The singularity is space-like and precedes, in the expanding case, all other events in the space-time. It is shown here that this singularity is gravitationally weak, and the possible structure of the region $R\leq 2m$ is investigated. A characterization of this solution which does not involve asymptotics is given.

gr-qc↗