Numerical Studies of Singularities and Black Holes

该项目将使用计算机模拟来探索引力坍缩的后果以及黑洞和时空奇点的形成。 一般奇点的小尺度结构将被详细研究。特别是这种奇点作为大爆炸初始奇点的前兆的适用性将被探索。 也将对黑洞内部进行模拟，以观察黑洞的内视界是否被零奇点所取代。我们还将模拟临界引力坍缩和负宇宙学常数下的引力坍缩。引力坍缩作为大爆炸的可能前兆的模拟是解决“宇宙从哪里来”问题的一个有希望的途径。“临界引力坍缩类似于凝聚态物理学中的相变，因此指出了两个非常不同的物理学领域之间的深刻联系。具有负宇宙学常数的引力坍缩通过所谓的AdS/CFT对应与诸如碰撞重离子束和高温超导体等不同的物理系统相联系。

This project will use computer simulations to explore the consequences of gravitational collapse and the formation of black holes and spacetime singularities. The small scale structure of general singularities will be studied in detail. In particular the suitability of such singularities as precursors for the initial singularity of the big bang will be explored. Simulations will also be done of the interior of a black hole to see whether the inner horizon of the black hole is replaced by a null singularity. Simulations will also be done of critical gravitational collapse and of gravitational collapse with a negative cosmological constant.The simulations of gravitational collapse as a possible precursor of the Big Bang are a promising approach to the question of "where did the universe come from?" Critical gravitational collapse is analogous to phase transitions in condensed matter physics and thus points to deep connections between two very different areas of physics. Gravitational collapse with a negative cosmological constant is connected through the so called AdS/CFT correspondence to such diverse physical systems as colliding heavy ion beams and high temperature superconductors.