Gamma-Ray Bursts and Quantum Cosmic Censorship

TL;DR

This paper proposes that quantum effects during neutron star mergers could prevent naked singularities, supporting cosmic censorship and explaining gamma-ray bursts through quantum particle creation.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum perspective on neutron star mergers, suggesting quantum particle creation can avoid naked singularities and uphold cosmic censorship.

Findings

Quantum particle creation can provide thermal energy in neutron star mergers.

Back-reaction of particles can prevent naked singularity formation.

Quantum effects support cosmic censorship even if classical theory predicts violations.

Abstract

Gamma-ray bursts are believed to result from the coalescence of binary neutron stars. However, the standard proposals for conversion of the gravitational energy to thermal energy have difficulties. We show that if the merger of the two neutron stars results in a naked singularity, instead of a black hole, the ensuing quantum particle creation can provide the requisite thermal energy in a straightforward way. The back-reaction of the created particles can avoid the formation of the naked singularity predicted by the classical theory. Hence cosmic censorship holds in the quantum theory, even if it were to be violated in classical general relativity.