The interior of hairy black holes in standard model physics

TL;DR

This paper proposes a model of non-rotating black holes with regular interiors composed of Higgs and Z boson condensates, avoiding singularities and suggesting new observable phenomena during black hole mergers.

Contribution

It introduces a novel class of stationary black hole solutions with regular cores formed by Higgs and Z boson condensates, extending the understanding of black hole interiors within standard model physics.

Findings

Regular black hole interiors with Higgs/Z condensates are possible.

The core size scales with black hole mass and charge.

Potential observational signatures during black hole mergers.

Abstract

A large class of stationary, non-rotating black hole metrics is proposed, in which the interior is regular with a core consisting of a condensate of Higgs and $Z$ bosons generated from the nuclear binding energy of the initial H atoms. Gravitational collapse is prevented by negative pressures from the Higgs condensate and a small imbalance in the distribution of electric charges. Non-condensed, thermal particles are present as well. The approach holds for masses exceeding 0.75 $10^{-4}M_\odot$. The inner horizon sets an inner core of 11 cm, while the characteristic radius of the full core is 270 $(M/M_\odot)^{1/3}$ cm. For increasing charge, the core expands; in the extremal case, it fills the interior. While the net charge is easily shielded, the build up of horizons may prevent this in the interior, and consequently avoid a singularity. In black hole merging, the core of a nearly extremal one may be exposed, forming a new class of events. The approach is a stepping stone towards rotating black holes.