Gravitational Tunnelling of Relativistic Shells

TL;DR

This paper explores the quantum tunneling behavior of relativistic shells in general relativity, proposing a solution to a problem in their WKB approximation based on Israel's junction conditions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to analyze the WKB regime of shell dynamics using Israel's junction conditions in a relativistic context.

Findings

Identified a problem in the WKB analysis of relativistic shells.

Proposed a potential solution to this problem.

Enhanced understanding of quantum effects in astrophysical shell models.

Abstract

Thin shells in general relativity have been used in the past as keystones to obtain realistic models of cosmological and astrophysical situations. A crucial role for these developments was played by the compact description of their dynamics in terms of Israel's junction conditions. Starting from this geometrical formulation we present a problem related to the WKB regime of shell dynamics and suggest a possible solution.