Black hole singularities: a numerical approach

TL;DR

This paper investigates the structure of black hole singularities through numerical simulations of charged spherical collapse, confirming the mass-inflation scenario and characterizing the nature of the singularities inside black holes.

Contribution

It provides a detailed numerical analysis of the singularity structure in charged black holes, supporting the mass-inflation model and describing the geometry at late times.

Findings

Mass-inflation singularity generally precedes the central singularity.

The area of two-spheres remains finite at the Cauchy horizon.

The central singularity inside the black hole is spacelike.

Abstract

The singularity structure of charged spherical collapse is studied by considering the evolution of the gravity-scalar field system. A detailed examination of the geometry at late times strongly suggests the validity of the mass-inflation scenario~\cite{PI:90}. Although the area of the two-spheres remains finite at the Cauchy horizon, its generators are eventually focused to zero radius. Thus the null, mass-inflation singularity {\em generally}\/ precedes a crushing $r=0$ singularity deep inside the black hole core. This central singularity is spacelike.