Particle creation in the marginally bound, self-similar collapse of inhomogeneous dust Original Research Article

We consider the evaporation of the (shell-focusing) naked singularity formed during the self-similar collapse of a marginally bound inhomogeneous dust cloud, in the geometric optics approximation. We show that, neglecting the back reaction of the space-time, the radiation on I+tends to infinity as the Cauchy horizon is approached. Twoconsequences can be expected from this result: (a) the back reaction of space-time will be large and eventually halt the formation of a naked singularity thus preserving the Cosmic Censorship Hypothesis, and (b) matter attempting to collapse into a naked singularity will radiate away energy at an intense rate, thereby possibly providing experimental signatures of quantum effects in curved space-times.