For decades, the concept of “kugelblitze,” black holes formed by intense concentrations of light, has intrigued astrophysicists and captured the imagination of the scientific community. These unique black holes were believed to potentially explain various astronomical phenomena, from dark matter to the power source of futuristic spaceship engines. However, recent research conducted by a collaborative team from the University of Waterloo and Universidad Complutense de Madrid has shattered these theories, proving that kugelblitze are unattainable in our current universe.
According to the study titled “No black holes from light,” published on the arXiv preprint server and soon to be released in Physical Review Letters, the researchers’ mathematical model took into consideration quantum effects that play a crucial role in the formation of black holes. Eduardo Martín-Martínez, a professor of applied mathematics and mathematical physics, highlighted that the fundamental principles of general relativity and quantum mechanics were essential to understanding the impossibility of kugelblitze.
José Polo-Gómez, a Ph.D. candidate in applied mathematics and quantum information, emphasized that the concentration of light required to create kugelblitze would need to be exponentially greater than that observed in quasars, the brightest celestial bodies in the universe. The study revealed that before such intense light concentrations could be achieved, quantum effects would come into play, triggering the spontaneous creation of subatomic particles that would rapidly disperse, preventing the formation of black holes.
While replicating the extreme conditions necessary for studying kugelblitze remains beyond the current capabilities of earthbound technology, the researchers drew parallels with the principles underlying positron emission tomography (PET) scans to validate their findings. Martín-Martínez explained that the phenomenon of ‘vacuum polarization’ and the Schwinger effect contributed to the prevention of black hole formation by dispersing the energy from concentrated photons through the creation of electron-positron pairs.
The revelation of the impossibility of kugelblitze may come as a disappointment to astrophysicists, but it signifies a significant advancement in fundamental physics research. The collaboration between applied mathematics, the Perimeter Institute, and the Institute for Quantum Computing at Waterloo has paved the way for groundbreaking discoveries that may not have immediate practical applications but are integral to future technological innovations. Polo-Gómez emphasized that the study serves as a foundation for the scientific endeavors of future generations, showcasing the enduring impact of pure scientific exploration.
The research conducted by the interdisciplinary team from the University of Waterloo and Universidad Complutense de Madrid has debunked the longstanding theory of kugelblitze, demonstrating the insurmountable barriers posed by quantum effects in the formation of black holes from light. This groundbreaking discovery not only sheds light on the intricate interplay between general relativity and quantum mechanics but also underscores the invaluable contributions of theoretical physics in unraveling the mysteries of the universe.