Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01m900nt56d
 Title: Formation of Trapped Surfaces in General Relativity Authors: An, Xinliang Advisors: Klainerman, Sergiu Contributors: Mathematics Department Keywords: Einstein's EquationGravitational CollapseShort Pulse MethodTrapped Surface Subjects: Mathematics Issue Date: 2014 Publisher: Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Abstract: In this thesis we present two results regarding the formation of trapped surfaces in general relativity. The first is a simplified approach to Christodoulou's breakthrough result which showed that trapped surfaces can form dynamically by the focusing of gravitational radiation from past null infinity. We extend the methods of Klainerman-Rodnianski, who gave a simplified proof of this result in a finite region. The second result extends the theorem of Christodoulou by allowing for weaker initial data but still guaranteeing that a trapped surface forms in the casual domain. In particular, we show that a trapped surface can form dynamically from initial data which is merely large" in a scale-invariant way. The second result is obtained jointly with Luk. URI: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01m900nt56d Alternate format: The Mudd Manuscript Library retains one bound copy of each dissertation. Search for these copies in the library's main catalog Type of Material: Academic dissertations (Ph.D.) Language: en Appears in Collections: Mathematics