A possible semiclassical bounce instead of a Schwarzschild singularity

TL;DR

This paper suggests that quantum effects, specifically vacuum polarization, could prevent the formation of a singularity inside a Schwarzschild black hole, proposing a semiclassical bounce instead.

Contribution

It demonstrates that nonlocal particle creation effects are negligible, supporting the idea that vacuum polarization alone can avoid black hole singularities.

Findings

Nonlocal particle creation contribution is negligible.

Vacuum polarization can prevent Schwarzschild singularity.

A semiclassical bounce replaces the singularity.

Abstract

We have previously shown that the singularity in a Schwarzschild black hole of stellar or larger mass may be avoided in a semiclassical manner by using as a source of gravity the stress-energy tensor (SET) corresponding to vacuum polarization of quantum fields, with a minimum spherical radius a few orders of magnitude larger than the Planck length. In this note we estimate the nonlocal contribution to the total SET due to particle creation from vacuum. We show that this contribution is negligibly small as compared to vacuum polarization and does not affect the previously suggested scenario.