Weakly Turbulent Saturation of the Nonlinear Scalar Ergoregion Instability
Abstract
We perform time-domain evolutions of the ergoregion instability on a horizonless spinning ultracompact spacetime in scalar theories with potential-type and derivative self-interactions mimicking the nonlinear structure of the Einstein equations. We find that the instability saturates by triggering a weakly turbulent direct cascade, which transfers energy from the most unstable and large-scale modes to small scales. The cascade's nonlinear timescales of each mode are orders of magnitude shorter than the corresponding linear e-folding times. Through this mechanism, the counterrotating stable light ring is filled with a spectrum of higher-order azimuthal modes forming a ringlike shape. Thereby we demonstrate that turbulent processes are likely also important during the fully gravitational saturation of the instability, leaving imprints in the gravitational wave emission.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Physical Review Letters
- Publisher
- American Physical Society (APS)
- Volume
- 136
- Issue
- 17
- Pages
- 171401–171401
- Publication date
- 6 April 2026
- Language
- EN