Stability criterion for self-similar solutions with a scalar field and those with a stiff fluid in general relativity

Abstract

A stability criterion is derived in general relativity for self-similar solutions with a scalar field and those with a stiff fluid, which is a perfect fluid with the equation of state P = ρ. A wide class of self-similar solutions turns out to be unstable against kink mode perturbation. According to the criterion, the Evans–Coleman stiff-fluid solution is unstable and cannot be a critical solution for the spherical collapse of a stiff fluid if we allow sufficiently small discontinuity in the density gradient field in the initial data sets. The self-similar scalar-field solution, which was recently found numerically by Brady et al (2002 Class. Quantum Grav. 19 6359), is also unstable. Both the flat Friedmann universe with a scalar field and that with a stiff fluid suffer from kink instability at the particle horizon scale.