Spherically symmetric scalar vacuum: no-go theorems, black holes and solitons

Abstract

We prove some theorems characterizing the global properties of static, spherically symmetric configurations of a self-gravitating real scalar field in general relativity (GR) in various dimensions, with an arbitrary potential $V$, not necessarily positive-definite. The results are extended to sigma models, scalar-tensor and curvature-nonlinear theories of gravity. We show that the list of all possible types of space-time causal structure in the models under study is the same as for a constant scalar field, namely, Minkowski (or AdS), Schwarzschild, de Sitter and Schwarzschild - de Sitter, and all horizons are simple. In particular, these theories do not admit regular black holes with any asymptotics. Some special features of (2+1)D gravity are revealed. We give examples of two types of asymptotically flat configurations with positive mass in GR, admitted by the above theorems: (i) a black hole with nontrivial ``scalar hair'' and (ii) a particlelike solution with a regular centre; in both cases, the potential $V$ must be at least partly negative. We also discuss the global effects of conformal mappings that connect different theories. Such effects are illustrated for solutions with a conformal scalar field in GR.