Resolution of Reissner-Nordstr\"om singularities by higher-derivative corrections

Abstract

We describe a non-minimal higher-derivative extension of Einstein-Maxwell theory in which electrically-charged black holes and point charges have globally regular gravitational and electromagnetic fields. We provide an exact static spherically symmetric solution of this theory that reduces to the Reissner-Nordstr\"om one at weak coupling, but in which the singularity at $r=0$ is regularized for arbitrary mass and (non-vanishing) charge. We discuss the properties of these solutions and comment on the physical significance of our results.