Nonsingular charged black holes \`{a} la Palatini

We argue that the quantum nature of matter and gravity should lead to a discretization of the allowed states of the matter confined in the interior of black holes. To support and illustrate this idea, we consider a quadratic extension of General Relativity formulated \`{a} la Palatini and show that nonrotating, electrically charged black holes develop a compact core at the Planck density which is nonsingular if the mass spectrum satisfies a certain discreteness condition. We also find that the area of the core is proportional to the number of charges times the Planck area.Comment: 10 single column page

Acceleration radiation, transition probabilities, and trans-Planckian physics

An important question in the derivation of the acceleration radiation, which also arises in Hawking's derivation of black hole radiance, is the need to invoke trans-Planckian physics for the quantum field that originates the created quanta. We point out that this issue can be further clarified by reconsidering the analysis in terms of particle detectors, transition probabilities, and local two-point functions. By writing down separate expressions for the spontaneous- and induced-transition probabilities of a uniformly accelerated detector, we show that the bulk of the effect comes from the natural (non trans-Planckian) scale of the problem, which largely diminishes the importance of the trans-Planckian sector. This is so, at least, when trans-Planckian physics is defined in a Lorentz invariant way. This analysis also suggests how to define and estimate the role of trans-Planckian physics in the Hawking effect itself.Comment: 19 page

Non-singular Universes a la Palatini

It has recently been shown that f(R) theories formulated in the Palatini variational formalism are able to avoid the big bang singularity yielding instead a bouncing solution. The mechanism responsible for this behavior is similar to that observed in the effective dynamics of loop quantum cosmology and an f(R) theory exactly reproducing that dynamics has been found. I will show here that considering more general actions, with quadratic contributions of the Ricci tensor, results in a much richer phenomenology that yields bouncing solutions even in anisotropic (Bianchi I) scenarios. Some implications of these results are discussed.Comment: 4 pages, no figures. Contribution to the Spanish Relativity Meeting (ERE2010), 6-10 Sept. Granada, Spai

New observations of the colpodid ciliate Ottowphrya dragescoi (Ciliophora, Colpodea, Platyophryida, Ottowphryidae) and its confusing taxonomic history

This paper describes a new population of Ottowphrya dragescoi isolated from moss samples in the UK. Its size in vivo is 70-110 x 35-60 μm. Its oral and somatic infraciliature were revealed with silver-carbonate impregnation, which showed 4-7 adoral organelles, and 27-34 somatic kineties. Thus far, three populations have been described in the scientific literature: one German, one from Austria and a Finnish population in addition to specimens from France, Australia and Kenya. The English population, described here, is quite similar to the one from Finland. Our data confirm the observations made by Foissner (2002) and highlight the taxonomic difficulties in establishing new genera and specie

Palatini f(R)f(R) Black Holes in Nonlinear Electrodynamics

The electrically charged Born-Infeld black holes in the Palatini formalism for $f(R)$ theories are analyzed. Specifically we study those supported by a theory $f(R)=R\pm R^2/R_P$, where $R_P$ is Planck's curvature. These black holes only differ from their General Relativity counterparts very close to the center, but may give rise to different geometrical structures in terms of inner horizons. The nature and strength of the central singularities are also significantly affected. In particular, for the model $f(R)=R - R^2/R_P$ the singularity is shifted to a finite radius, $r_+$, and the Kretschmann scalar diverges only as $1/(r-r_+)^{2}$.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures, revtex4-1 clas