Starships and Spinoza

We discuss a proposal to make small artificial black holes (ABH’s) using a huge laser. Because of Hawking radiation, they would be extremely powerful energy sources. We investigate the technical problems of using them to make power plants and starships. The first suggestion is due to Hawking. Next, we consider what challenges the ABH proposal would pose for a future quantum theory of gravity. The form of a theory which would allow us to compute the necessary corrections to classical theory is considered. It is widely believed that every black hole produces a new baby universe on the other side of its singularity. If this is true, ABH technology will involve future humanity in the creation process of universes. Finally, we ponder the effects that the ABH proposal would have on the culture of a future society, particularly if the baby universe theory is correct. The changes in our economic life and understanding of our role in the cosmos would be so profound as to have a “spiritual” aspect.

💡 Research Summary

The paper explores the concept of creating and exploiting small artificial black holes (ABHs) as ultra‑compact power sources and propulsion units for interstellar spacecraft. It begins by revisiting Stephen Hawking’s original proposal that a black hole of roughly 10⁹ kg mass would radiate Hawking photons at a temperature of several thousand kelvin, delivering megawatts to gigawatts of power. To generate such an object, the authors argue that a colossal laser system capable of delivering on the order of 10²⁰ joules in a sub‑nanosecond pulse is required. The laser beams would be focused by a multi‑kilometer‑diameter spherical mirror array onto a target material, compressing it to densities where its Schwarzschild radius becomes comparable to the compressed size, thereby triggering gravitational collapse.

The engineering challenges are dissected in detail. First, maintaining the target in a quasi‑stable state long enough for collapse demands simultaneous use of ultra‑strong superconducting magnetic confinement and precise phase‑controlled laser pulses to balance quantum degeneracy pressure against gravity. Second, the immediate burst of Hawking radiation upon formation must be captured rather than allowed to damage the apparatus. The authors propose a combined system of high‑temperature superconducting thermoelectric converters and particle‑capture magnetic bottles to harvest photons, neutrinos, and light particles. Directional control of the emitted radiation is achieved by embedding the ABH within a rotating electromagnetic trap (a Maxwell‑type configuration) that channels the outflow into a thrust nozzle, providing continuous propulsion.

From a theoretical physics perspective, the paper stresses that classical general relativity alone cannot predict the fine details of Hawking emission near the Planck scale. Consequently, a viable quantum‑gravity framework is needed to compute corrections to the Hawking spectrum. The authors discuss possible approaches, including effective field theory (EFT) extensions that incorporate 1‑loop graviton corrections, non‑perturbative loop‑quantum‑gravity (LQG) effects, and dimensional‑reduction models. They argue that precise measurements of ABH radiation would furnish unprecedented empirical data to test these theories.

A speculative but thought‑provoking section examines the “baby‑universe” hypothesis, which posits that each black hole interior connects to a nascent universe beyond its singularity. If ABHs truly act as portals to new cosmological domains, humanity would be directly involved in universe creation, raising profound ethical and philosophical questions about responsibility, stewardship, and the meaning of existence.

The paper then outlines practical designs for ABH‑based power plants and starships. A stationary plant could continuously harvest Hawking radiation to generate tens of gigawatts of clean electricity, eliminating long‑lived radioactive waste and offering a near‑infinite fuel supply. A starship would house an ABH at its core, using the directed radiation as thrust, enabling acceleration profiles suitable for multi‑decadal journeys to nearby star systems without the need for massive propellant inventories.

Finally, the authors explore the societal ramifications. The democratization of virtually limitless energy would reshape global economics, diminish geopolitical tensions over fossil fuels, and accelerate the transition to a space‑faring civilization. Culturally, the notion of humanity as “cosmic architects” could inspire new spiritual narratives, blur the line between science and religion, and foster a collective identity centered on stewardship of both our universe and any nascent universes we might help create. The paper concludes that while the technical hurdles are formidable, the potential rewards—both material and existential—justify serious interdisciplinary research into artificial black‑hole technology.