Some uniqueness results for dynamical horizons

Abstract

We first show that the intrinsic, geometrical structure of a dynamical horizon (DH) is unique. A number of physically interesting constraints are then established on the location of trapped and marginally trapped surfaces in the vicinity of any DH. These restrictions are used to prove several uniqueness theorems for DH. Ramifications of some of these results to numerical simulations of black hole spacetimes are discussed. Finally, several expectations on the interplay between isometries and DHs are shown to be borne out. © 2005 International Press.