Dynamical complexity and the gravitational collapse of compact stellar objects

We investigate the dynamics of the gravitational collapse of a compact object via a complexity factor scalar which arises from the orthogonal splitting of the Riemann tensor. This scalar has the property of vanishing for systems which are isotropic in pressure and homogeneous in the energy density. In this way, the complexity factor can give further details of the progression of inhomogeneity as the collapse proceeds. Furthermore, we show that complexity may be used in comparing models and justifying their physical viability. Thus, it could become an integral part of the physical analysis of relativistic collapse in addition to energy conditions analysis, (in)stability, and recently investigated force dynamics.