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Understanding critical collapse of a scalar field

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arxiv gr-qc/9604019 v1 pith:UVJ457JH submitted 1996-04-08 gr-qc

classification gr-qc
keywords criticalfieldscalarsolutioncollapsegammahorizondelta
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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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Cited by 7 Pith papers

Reviewed papers in the Pith corpus that reference this work. Sorted by Pith novelty score. OpenAlex reports about 136 citations worldwide. Full citation record

  1. Critical spacetime crystals in continuous dimensions

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    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 maxi...

  2. Unveiling horizons in quantum critical collapse

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  3. Angle of Null Energy Condition Lines in Critical Spacetimes

    gr-qc 2024-11 conditional novelty 7.0 of 10

    In Choptuik critical collapse, the null energy condition saturation lines meet at the center with a universal angle α=2 arccot(D−1), numerically α≈0.64 in four dimensions.

  4. Quantum fate of the Choptuik naked singularity

    gr-qc 2026-06 unverdicted novelty 6.0 of 10

    Quantum backreaction generates horizons that cloak the Choptuik naked singularity, reducing its predictability violation to the standard black hole evaporation problem.

  5. Quantum Critical Collapse Abhors a Naked Singularity

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    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.

  6. Comparing twist-free axisymmetric gravitational waves near the black hole threshold

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    Independent codes (bamps, prague, sphGR) agree on near-threshold vacuum wave collapse, confirming family-dependent scaling and quasi-universal strong-field features.

  7. Critical collapse of vacuum spacetimes: Nakamura wave initial data

    gr-qc 2026-06 unverdicted novelty 5.0 of 10

    Simulations with Nakamura wave initial data confirm approximately discretely self-similar threshold solutions in vacuum gravitational wave collapse, but without exact self-similarity or a unique critical solution, con...

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