On critical exponents for self-similar collapse

Abstract

Abstract We explore systematically perturbations of self-similar solutions to the Einstein-axion-dilaton system, whose dynamics are invariant under spacetime dilations combined with internal 𝔰𝔩(2, ℝ) transformations. The self-similar solutions capture the enticing behavior “critical” systems on the verge of gravitational collapse, in arbitrary spacetime dimensions. Our methods rest on a combination of analytical and numerical tools, apply to all three conjugacy classes of 𝔰𝔩(2, ℝ) transformations and allow accurate estimates of the corresponding Choptuik exponents. It is well known that these exponents depend on the spacetime dimension and on the matter content. Our main result is that they also attain different values, even within a given conjugacy class, for the distinct types of critical solutions that we recently identified in the Einstein-axion-dilaton system.

Keywords

• Black Holes
• Classical Theories of Gravity
• Spacetime Singularities
• String Duality