Inner horizon instability via the trace anomaly effective action

TL;DR

This paper investigates the quantum stability of black hole inner horizons using an anomaly-induced effective action approach, revealing that quantum effects likely cause singularities at Cauchy horizons, with strong agreement to known results for certain states.

Contribution

It introduces the first application of the anomaly-induced effective action method to Reissner-Nordstr"om black hole interiors, analyzing quantum stress-energy tensor approximations and their implications for horizon stability.

Findings

No quantum state remains regular at both horizons.

Method aligns well with exact results for Hartle-Hawking state.

Limitations in capturing Unruh state characteristics.

Abstract

In quantum field theory applied to black hole spacetimes, substantial evidence suggests that the Unruh and Hartle-Hawking vacuum states become singular at Cauchy horizons. This raises essential questions regarding the impact of quantum field backreaction on the stability of Cauchy horizons in static scenarios and inner horizons in evolving spacetimes. To approach this problem, we employ analytic approximations to the renormalized stress-energy tensor (RSET) of quantum fields in four dimensions. Specifically, we utilize the anomaly-induced effective action, which generates four-dimensional approximate RSETs through a pair of auxiliary scalar fields that satisfy higher-order equations of motion. The boundary conditions imposed on these auxiliary fields yield RSETs with leading-order terms that mimic the behaviour of different vacuum states. This study presents the first application of the anomaly-induced effective action method to Reissner-Nordstr\"om black hole interiors, evaluating its accuracy, applicability, and connections with prior RSET approximations. Among the range of possible states accessible through this method, we found none that remain regular at both the event and Cauchy horizons, aligning with theoretical expectations. The method shows strong agreement with exact four-dimensional RSET results for the Hartle-Hawking state but does not fully capture the unique characteristics of the Unruh state in Reissner-Nordstr\"om spacetimes. We conclude by suggesting possible extensions to address these limitations.