Super-slow phase transition catalyzed by BHs and the birth of baby BHs

TL;DR

This paper explores how primordial black holes can catalyze super-slow first-order phase transitions, leading to observable gravitational waves and the formation of baby black holes that may explain dark matter.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism where black holes catalyze super-slow phase transitions, resulting in unique phenomenology and potential dark matter candidates.

Findings

Super-slow phase transition predicts enhanced gravitational wave signals.

Rare false vacuum patches can produce baby black holes.

Mechanism links primordial black holes to dark matter abundance.

Abstract

We discuss the unique phenomenology of first-order phase transitions catalyzed by primordial black holes (BHs). If the number of BHs within one Hubble volume is smaller than unity at the time of bubble nucleation, each bubble catalyzed around them can expand to the Hubble size, and the universe is eventually filled with true vacuum much after nucleation. This super-slow transition predicts enhanced gravitational wave signals from bubble collisions and can be tested in future observations. Moreover, the remaining rare false vacuum patches give birth to baby BHs, which can account for the abundance of dark matter in our universe.