New criterion for direct black hole formation in rapidly rotating stellar collapse

We study gravitational collapse of rapidly rotating relativistic polytropes of the adiabatic index Γ = 1.5 and 2, in which the spin parameter q ≡ J/M > 1 where J and M are total angular momentum and gravitational mass, in full general relativity. First, analyzing initial distributions of the mass and the spin parameter inside stars, we predict the final outcome after the collapse. Then, we perform fully general relativistic simulations on assumption of axial and equatorial symmetries and confirm our predictions. As a result of simulations, we find that in contrast with the previous belief, even for stars with q > 1, the collapse proceeds to form a seed black hole at central region, and the seed black hole subsequently grows as the ambient fluids accrete onto it. We also find that growth of angular momentum and mass of the seed black hole can be approximately determined from the initial profiles of the density and the specific angular momentum. We define an effective spin parameter at the central region of the stars, qc, and propose a new criterion for black hole formation as qc ∼ 1. Plausible reasons for the discrepancy between our and previous results are clarified. 04.25.Dm, 04.30.-w, 04.40.Dg Typeset using REVTEX 1