Area - Angular momentum inequality for axisymmetric black holes

Abstract

We prove the local inequality $A \geq 8π|J|$, where $A$ and $J$ are the area and angular momentum of any axially symmetric closed stable minimal surface in an axially symmetric maximal initial data. From this theorem it is proved that the inequality is satisfied for any surface on complete asymptotically flat maximal axisymmetric data. In particular it holds for marginal or event horizons of black holes.

Minor changes in the presentation. To appear in Phys. Rev. Letters