New research defies Einstein's theory of relativity
New research challenges Einstein's theory of general relativity by asserting that forming black holes solely from light particles is impossible. The study discusses the theoretical concept of "kugelblitze," which are black holes formed solely by light energy, and highlights the constraints it imposes on cosmological models. Moreover, the research demonstrates the compatibility of quantum mechanics and general relativity in addressing complex scientific inquiries. This is reported by SSP.
Black holes are intriguing celestial objects with an immensely strong gravitational pull that not even light can escape. Typically, they form when massive stars collapse at the end of their life cycles due to the gravitational force overcoming the pressure generated by their thermonuclear reactions.
However, alternative hypotheses propose the formation of "kugelblitze," which refers to black holes formed by concentrating vast amounts of electromagnetic radiation or light. According to Einstein's theory, energy leads to the creation of gravitational attractions by causing curvatures in space-time. Thus, theoretically, it is plausible for light to create black holes if it is concentrated sufficiently within a confined space.
However, this theory applies classical general relativity and does not account for quantum effects. To explore the impact of quantum phenomena on kugelblitz formation, researchers examined the Schwinger effect. This effect describes how intensely concentrated electromagnetic energy can convert into matter in the form of electron-positron pairs—a phenomenon known as vacuum polarization.
The study extensively analyzed the rate at which electron-positron pairs depleted energy within an electromagnetic field, surpassing the replenishment rate required for kugelblitz formation. The research revealed that, even under extreme circumstances, pure light could never generate the necessary energy threshold to form a black hole.
Importantly, the team's findings present significant theoretical implications, challenging astrophysical and cosmological models that rely on the existence of kugelblitze. It also disputes the possibility of creating black holes through extreme light concentration in laboratory settings.
Nevertheless, this study highlights the efficient integration of quantum effects into gravitational problems, offering clearer insights into scientific phenomena. It demonstrates the potential of incorporating quantum mechanics for understanding the formation and characteristics of astrophysical objects.