QUANTUM STRESS TENSOR IN SELF-SIMILAR SPHERICAL DUST COLLAPSE - ART. NO. 104018

We calculate the quantum stress tensor for a massless scalar field in the 2D self-similar spherical dust collapse model which admits a naked singularity. We find that the outgoing radiation flux diverges on the Cauchy horizon. This may have two consequences. The resultant back re action may prevent the naked singularity from forming, thus preserving cosmic censorship through quantum effects. The divergent flux may lea d to an observable signature differentiating naked singularities from black holes in astrophysical observations. [S0556-2821(98)08020-5].