Stimulated Black Hole Evaporation

Black holes are extreme expressions of gravity. Their existence is predicted by Einstein’s theory of general relativity and is supported by observations. Black holes obey quantum mechanics and evaporate spontaneously. Here it is shown that a mass rate $R_f\sim 3\times {10}^{-8}(M_0\mathrm{/}M{)}^{1\mathrm{/}2}$ $M_0$ yr${}^{-1}$ onto the horizon of a black hole with mass $M$ (in units of solar mass $M_0$) stimulates a black hole into rapid evaporation. Specifically, $\sim 3M_0$ black holes can emit a large fraction of their mass, and explode, in $M/R_f \sim 3\times 10^7 (M/M_0)^{3/2}$ yr. These stimulated black holes radiate a spectral line power $P\sim 2\times {10}^{39}(M_0\mathrm{/}M{)}^{1\mathrm{/}2}$ erg s${}^{-1}$, at a wavelength $\lambda \sim 3\times {10}^5(M\mathrm{/}{M}_0)$ cm. This prediction can be observationally verified.