What is the 'proof' of the no-hair theorem of black holes?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the no-hair theorem of black holes, specifically the proof and contributions of various scientists, including Stephen Hawking, to this theorem. Participants inquire about the existence of a singular paper detailing the proof and discuss the assumptions involved in the theorem's formulation, including axial symmetry and analyticity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the meaning of Hawking's statement regarding the proof of the no-hair theorem and seeks a singular paper or combined work from the mentioned scientists.
  • Another participant provides references to foundational papers by Israel and Kerr that relate to the theorem.
  • It is noted that Carter and Robinson's proof assumes axial symmetry, while Hawking's work removed this assumption but introduced an analyticity assumption, which some participants argue is unreasonable.
  • A participant mentions that the problem remains open in mathematical literature, referred to as the rigidity conjecture.
  • There is a request for clarification on why the analyticity assumption is considered unreasonable, indicating a desire for a simpler explanation.
  • A participant expresses that the topic may be too advanced for basic-level discussion, leading to the closure of the thread.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the assumptions made in the proof of the no-hair theorem, particularly regarding the analyticity assumption. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the validity of these assumptions or the completeness of the proof.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity on the specific contributions of each scientist to the proof and the unresolved nature of the rigidity conjecture in the mathematical literature.

Cerenkov
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Hello.

In chapter 3 (Quantum Black Holes) of this book... https://www.amazon.com/dp/069116844X/?tag=pfamazon01-20 ...Stephen Hawking writes...

"The no-hair theorem, proved by the combined work of Israel, Carter, Robinson and myself, shows that the only stationary black holes in the absence of matter fields are the Kerr solutions. These are characterized by two parameters, the mass M and the angular momentum J. The no-hair theorem was extended by Robinson to the case where there was an electromagnetic field. This added a third parameter Q, the electric charge."

My questions concern what Hawking meant by the words, '...proved by the combined work of..'

Is there a single paper where these four scientists worked together to offer up said proof?

If so, could I please be directed to it?

Or, is there somewhere that I can find the proof 'combined' from the work of these four?

Any help given at a Basic level would be appreciated.
Thank you,

Cerenkov.
 
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Israel, W., (1967). “Event horizons in static vacuum spacetimes”, Phys. Rev. 164, 1776.
Israel, W., (1968). “Event horizons in static electrovac spacetimes”, Commun. Math. Phys. 8, 245.
Kerr, R. P., (1963). “Gravitational field of a spinning mass as an example of algebraically special metrics”, Phys. Rev. Lett. 11, 237.
 
Many thanks for this info, thierrykauf!
 
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martinbn said:
an analyticity, assumption which is unreasonable both mathematically and physically

The links you give don't go into any detail about why this is. Is there a simple explanation of why analyticity is unreasonable as an assumption?
 
Cerenkov said:
Any help given at a Basic level would be appreciated.

This really isn't a "B" level topic (it's at least "I" and probably "A"--certainly the references given so far are "A").

For that reason, this thread is now closed since the OP has been given references. (I have a further question about the references @martinbn posted, but I'll start a new thread for that.)
 

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