Blow-Up for Nonlinear Wave Equations describing Boson Stars

Abstract

We consider the nonlinear wave equation $i \partial_t u= \sqrt{-\Delta + m^2} u - (|x|^{-1} \ast |u|^2) u$ on $\RR^3$ modelling the dynamics of (pseudo-relativistic) boson stars. For spherically symmetric initial data, $u_0(x) \in C^\infty_{\mathrm{c}}(\RR^3)$, with negative energy, we prove blow-up of $u(t,x)$ in $H^{1/2}$-norm within a finite time. Physically, this phenomenon describes the onset of "gravitational collapse" of a boson star. We also study blow-up in external, spherically symmetric potentials and we consider more general Hartree-type nonlinearities. As an application, we exhibit instability for ground state solitary waves at rest if $m=0$.