Quantum vortex instability and black hole superradiance

Abstract

Vortices and black holes set the scene for many interesting dynamical processes in physics. Here, we study the dynamical instability of quantized vortices and rotational superradiance around rotating black holes, illustrating in the process that the same physics is at play in these two seemingly disparate phenomena. We also compare the instability of the vortex to the black hole bomb instability, which occurs for massive scalar fields in the Kerr spacetime. Taking inspiration from the analogy between black hole bomb modes and the hydrogen spectrum, the vortex instability is compared with nuclear resonances involved in $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ decay.