95 research outputs found
Scalar Deformations of Schwarzschild Holes and Their Stability
We construct two solutions of the minimally coupled Einstein-scalar field
equations, representing regular deformations of Schwarzschild black holes by a
self-interacting, static, scalar field. One solution features an exponentially
decaying scalar field and a triple-well interaction potential; the other one is
completely analytic and sprouts Coulomb-like scalar hair. Both evade the
no-hair theorem by having partially negative potential, in conflict with the
dominant energy condition. The linear perturbation theory around such
backgrounds is developed in general, and yields stability criteria in terms of
effective potentials for an analog Schr\"odinger problem. We can test for more
than half of the perturbation modes, and our solutions prove to be stable
against those.Comment: 24 pp, 16 figs, Latex; version published in Int. J. Mod. Phys.
No-go theorem for false vacuum black holes
We study the possibility of non-singular black hole solutions in the theory
of general relativity coupled to a non-linear scalar field with a positive
potential possessing two minima: a `false vacuum' with positive energy and a
`true vacuum' with zero energy. Assuming that the scalar field starts at the
false vacuum at the origin and comes to the true vacuum at spatial infinity, we
prove a no-go theorem by extending a no-hair theorem to the black hole
interior: no smooth solutions exist which interpolate between the local de
Sitter solution near the origin and the asymptotic Schwarzschild solution
through a regular event horizon or several horizons.Comment: 16 pages, 1 figure, Latex, some references added, to appear in
Classical and Quantum Gravit
Regular black holes and black universes
We give a comparative description of different types of regular static,
spherically symmetric black holes (BHs) and discuss in more detail their
particular type, which we suggest to call black universes. The latter have a
Schwarzschild-like causal structure, but inside the horizon there is an
expanding Kantowski-Sachs universe and a de Sitter infinity instead of a
singularity. Thus a hypothetic BH explorer gets a chance to survive. Solutions
of this kind are naturally obtained if one considers static, spherically
symmetric distributions of various (but not all) kinds of phantom matter whose
existence is favoured by cosmological observations. It also looks possible that
our Universe has originated from phantom-dominated collapse in another universe
and underwent isotropization after crossing the horizon. An explicit example of
a black-universe solution with positive Schwarzschild mass is discussed.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure. 6 referenses and some discussion added, misprints
correcte
Scalar hairy black holes and solitons in asymptotically flat spacetimes
A numerical analysis shows that a class of scalar-tensor theories of gravity
with a scalar field minimally and nonminimally coupled to the curvature allows
static and spherically symmetric black hole solutions with scalar-field hair in
asymptotically flat spacetimes. In the limit when the horizon radius of the
black hole tends to zero, regular scalar solitons are found. The asymptotically
flat solutions are obtained provided that the scalar potential of the
theory is not positive semidefinite and such that its local minimum is also a
zero of the potential, the scalar field settling asymptotically at that
minimum. The configurations for the minimal coupling case, although unstable
under spherically symmetric linear perturbations, are regular and thus can
serve as counterexamples to the no-scalar-hair conjecture. For the nonminimal
coupling case, the stability will be analyzed in a forthcoming paper.Comment: 7 pages, 10 postscript figures, file tex, new postscript figs. and
references added, stability analysis revisite
Dispersal: a matter of scale
Population density around the natal site is often invoked as an explanation for variation in dispersal distance, with the expectation that competition for limiting resources, coupled with increased intra‐specific aggression at high densities, should drive changes in dispersal distances. However, tests of the density‐dependent dispersal hypothesis in long‐lived vertebrates have yielded mixed results. Furthermore, conclusions from dispersal studies may depend on the spatial and temporal scales at which density and dispersal patterns are examined, yet multi‐scale studies of dispersal are rare. Here, we present the findings of a long‐term study examining factors influencing natal dispersal distances for the non‐migratory population of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) in the British Isles across distinct spatial and temporal scales. Our smallest scale study included Peregrines ringed as nestlings and subsequently recaptured alive in south Scotland–north England, an area that was intensively studied during the time periods 1974–1982 and 2002–2016. Second, we examined dispersal patterns of birds ringed as nestlings in south Scotland–north England, but subsequently recaptured alive or recovered dead anywhere in the British Isles. Finally, we examined the natal dispersal patterns for Peregrines ringed and recaptured or recovered anywhere in the British Isles from 1964 to 2016. Consistent with prior findings, females dispersed farther than males across all scales. However, the patterns of dispersal were strongly scale dependent. Specifically, we found a lack of a discernible relationship between index of density and dispersal distance in the limited study area, but when region‐wide recaptures and recoveries were included in the analyses, a negative relationship was revealed. Our results suggest that conclusions of dispersal studies may be scale dependent, highlighting the importance of spatial and temporal scales in examining and interpreting the relationship between population density and dispersal patterns
Species identification by experts and non-experts: comparing images from field guides
Accurate species identification is fundamental when recording ecological data. However, the ability to correctly identify organisms visually is rarely questioned. We investigated how experts and non-experts compared in the identification of bumblebees, a group of insects of considerable conservation concern. Experts and non-experts were asked whether two concurrent bumblebee images depicted the same or two different species. Overall accuracy was below 60% and comparable for experts and non-experts. However, experts were more consistent in their answers when the same images were repeated, and more cautious in committing to a definitive answer. Our findings demonstrate the difficulty of correctly identifying bumblebees using images from field guides. Such error rates need to be accounted for when interpreting species data, whether or not they have been collected by experts. We suggest that investigation of how experts and non-experts make observations should be incorporated into study design, and could be used to improve training in species identification
On the stability of scalar-vacuum space-times
We study the stability of static, spherically symmetric solutions to the
Einstein equations with a scalar field as the source. We describe a general
methodology of studying small radial perturbations of scalar-vacuum
configurations with arbitrary potentials V(\phi), and in particular space-times
with throats (including wormholes), which are possible if the scalar is
phantom. At such a throat, the effective potential for perturbations V_eff has
a positive pole (a potential wall) that prevents a complete perturbation
analysis. We show that, generically, (i) V_eff has precisely the form required
for regularization by the known S-deformation method, and (ii) a solution with
the regularized potential leads to regular scalar field and metric
perturbations of the initial configuration. The well-known conformal mappings
make these results also applicable to scalar-tensor and f(R) theories of
gravity. As a particular example, we prove the instability of all static
solutions with both normal and phantom scalars and V(\phi) = 0 under spherical
perturbations. We thus confirm the previous results on the unstable nature of
anti-Fisher wormholes and Fisher's singular solution and prove the instability
of other branches of these solutions including the anti-Fisher "cold black
holes".Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures. A few comments and references added. Final
version accepted at EPJ
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