Torsional four-fermion interaction and the Raychaudhuri equation

Abstract

Intrinsic spin of fermions can generate torsion in spacetime. This torsion is a non-propagating field that can be integrated out, leaving an effective non-universal four-fermion interaction. This geometrical interaction affects fermions inside a matter distribution and can be expected to become stronger as the density grows. In this work, we investigate the role of this interaction in a gravitationally collapsing fermionic distribution. Our specific aim is to explore if this interaction can provide a repulsive contribution and prevent the final singularity formation. We consider a collapsing distribution of massive fermions, ignoring other interactions. Using simplified yet reasonable assumptions, we establish that a repulsive contribution can arise depending on how torsion couples with different chiralities. Also, the interaction starts to dominate as the collapse proceeds, accelerating or decelerating the collapse depending on the relative signs of the geometrical interaction between different species of fermions.

30 pages, 1 figure; comments and suggestions are welcome

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