Gravitational collapse with quantum fields

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new formalism for simulating quantum fields during gravitational collapse, enabling the study of quantum effects in black hole formation with regularization techniques.

Contribution

It develops a novel approach combining classical collapse methods with quantum field simulation, addressing divergences with regularization, and demonstrating quantum effects in black hole formation.

Findings

Successfully reproduces classical collapse results

Identifies quantum effects in gravitational collapse

Provides a framework for future quantum gravity studies

Abstract

Gravitational collapse into a black hole has been extensively studied with classical sources. We develop a new formalism to simulate quantum fields forming a black hole. This formalism utilizes well-established techniques used for classical collapse by choosing a convenient coherent state, and simulates the matter fields quantum mechanically. Divergences are regularized with the cosmological constant and Pauli-Villars fields. Using a massless spherically symmetric scalar field as an example, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the formalism by reproducing some classical results in gravitational collapse, and identifying the difference due to quantum effects.