It has been argued that, starting with a slightly sub-extremal Kerr black hole instead of an extremal one, it is possible to overspin a black hole past the extremal limit and turn it into a naked singularity by sending test bodies, if one neglects radiative and self-force effects. In this work we show that (i) an extremal Kerr black hole can not be overspun as a result of the interaction with massless integer spin test fields (scalar, electromagnetic, or gravitational), (ii) overspinning can be achieved if we start with a nearly extremal black hole instead, and (iii) for the scalar field, the argument applies to more general black holes, and also allows use of a more general field configuration. Our analysis also neglects radiative and self-force effects.

It has been claimed that in a test of an asymptotically AdS version of weak cosmic censorship conjecture by attempting to overspin a BTZ black hole with test particles, one finds that it is not possible to spin-up the black hole past its extremal limit. The result of this analysis is restricted to the case where the initial black hole is extremal. We extend this analysis to find that massive test particles can overspin the black hole, if we start with a nearly extremal black hole, instead. We also consider the interaction of the BTZ black hole with test fields. We show that overspinning of nearly extremal black holes is possible whether or not there is superradiance for the field. If there is superradiance, overspinning occurs in a narrow range of frequencies bounded below by the super-radiant limit. However, if there is no superradiance for the field, overspinning becomes generic and also applies to extremal black holes. This is in analogy with the Kerr case.Comment: 4 pages, no figure

Abstract. In this work we investigate if the interaction of the Kerr-Taub-NUT spacetime with test scalar and neutrino fields can lead to the destruction of the event horizon. It turns out that both extremal and nearly extremal black holes can be destroyed by scalar and neutrino fields if the initial angular momentum of the spacetime is sufficiently large relative to its mass and NUT charge. This is the first example in which a classical field satisfying the null energy condition can actually destroy an extremal black hole. For scalar fields, the modes that can lead to the destruction of the horizon are restricted to a narrow range due to superradiance. Since superradiance does not occur for neutrino fields, the destruction of the horizon by neutrino fields is generic, and it cannot be fixed by backreaction effects. We also show that the extremal black holes that can be destroyed by scalar fields correspond to naked singularities in the Kerr limit, in accord with the previous results which imply that extremal Kerr black holes cannot be destroyed by scalar test fields.

It has been claimed that cosmic censorship conjecture can be violated by quantum tunnelling of neutrinos, though it is strongly supported by classical arguments. We consider the classical interaction of an extremal Kerr black hole with a test massless Dirac field, i.e. a "neutrino field". Evaluating the flux integrals imposed by the energy momentum tensor for fermionic fields and the Killing vectors of the spacetime, we prove that this interaction can indeed destroy the event horizon of the black hole and convert it to a naked singularity. The classical process leads to a more generic violation of cosmic censorship conjecture compared to quantum tunnelling processes which occur with a low probability. The range of frequencies of the test neutrino field that can be used to destroy the black hole turns out to be the superradiant range for bosonic fields. We comment on back reaction and quantum effects. We argue that the destruction of black holes by neutrino fields cannot be fixed by self-force effects unlike similar attempts involving test bodies and bosonic fields.

Since 1970's, gedanken experiments have been devised to challenge the weak cosmic censorship conjecture (WCCC), which is the expectation that spacetime singularities will be hidden from faraway observers by event horizons so that classical predictability in a spacetime is preserved. These experiments involve the interaction of an extremal or a slightly sub-extremal black hole with a test particle or field, attempting to destroy the horizon, i.e. to create a so-called naked singularity. They usually conclude that WCCC cannot be violated starting from an extremal black hole, but may be violated starting from a slightly sub-extremal one, if backreaction and self-force effects are neglected. Some other works also analyze these effects.Starting 2007, a string of papers argue if WCCC can be violated by classically forbidden interactions occuring via the quantum nature of the particles associated with the fields; and where backrection and/or superradiance are pointed out as effects working in the direction of preserving the WCCC. We correct/modify a backrection argument, and furthermore point out that superradiance does not prevent single particles from being captured by the black hole; even if this capture would lead to WCCC violation.Then we consider the spontaneous emission (which we call the Zel'dovich-Unruh effect) of particles by the black hole, and find that at least for scalars, it can be understood without second quantization. It also completely invalidates the mentioned single-or few-particle thought experiments. However, the conclusions of our previous work on (at least) scalar fields interacting with black holes, i.e. that WCCC may be violated starting from slightly subextremal black holes, remains valid in this (semi)classical framework.