Black hole critical phenomena without black holes

STEVEN L LIEBLING

Theoretical and Computational Studies Group, Southampton College, Long Island University, Southampton, NY 11968, USA

Abstract.

Studying the threshold of black hole formation via numerical evolution has led to the discovery of fascinating nonlinear phenomena. Power-law mass scaling, aspects of universality, and self-similarity have now been found for a large variety of models. However, questions remain. Here I briefly review critical phenomena, discuss some recent results, and describe a model which demonstrates similar phenomena without gravity.

Keywords: Black holes; numerical relativity; nonlinear sigma.

Pacs No. 04.25.Dm; 04.70.Bw; 11.10.Lm; 11.27.+d