Overspinning a Black Hole with a Test Body

Ted Jacobson and Thomas P. Sotiriou
Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 141101 – Published 28 September 2009; Erratum Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 209903 (2009)

Abstract

It has long been known that a maximally spinning black hole cannot be overspun by tossing in a test body. Here we show that if instead the black hole starts out with below maximal spin, then indeed overspinning can be achieved. We find that requirements on the size and internal structure of the test body can be met if the body carries in orbital but not spin angular momentum. Our analysis neglects radiative and self-force effects, which may prevent the overspinning.

  • Received 8 August 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.141101

©2009 American Physical Society

Erratum

Erratum: Overspinning a Black Hole with a Test Body [Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 141101 (2009)]

Ted Jacobson and Thomas P. Sotiriou
Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 209903 (2009)

Authors & Affiliations

Ted Jacobson1 and Thomas P. Sotiriou1,2

  • 1Center for Fundamental Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA
  • 2Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge, CB3 0WA, United Kingdom

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Issue

Vol. 103, Iss. 14 — 2 October 2009

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