Black Hole Entropy and the Problem of Universality

Abstract

To derive black hole thermodynamics in any quantum theory of gravity, one must introduce constraints that ensure that a black hole is actually present. For a large class of black holes, the imposition of such ``horizon constraints'' allows the use of conformal field theory methods to compute the density of states, reproducing the correct Bekenstein-Hawking entropy in a nearly model-independent manner. This approach may explain the ``universality'' of black hole entropy, the fact that many inequivalent descriptions of quantum states all seem to give the same thermodynamic predictions. It also suggests an elegant picture of the relevant degrees of freedom, as Goldstone-boson-like excitations arising from symmetry breaking by a conformal anomaly induced by the horizon constraints.

14 pages, Springer macros; to appear in ``Quantum Mechanics of Fundamental Systems: the Quest for Beauty and Simplicity'' (Claudio Bunster Festschrift)

References in corpus (7)

• Holographic Derivation of Entanglement Entropy from AdS/CFT
• Proof of the Holographic Formula for Entanglement Entropy
• Evidence for an entropy bound from fundamentally discrete gravity
• How many black holes fit on the head of a pin?
• Black Hole Thermodynamics from Euclidean Horizon Constraints
• BTZ Black Hole Entropy: A spin foam model description
• Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy and black holes

Cited by in corpus (15)

• Black Hole Entropy from BMS Symmetry at the Horizon
• Five Problems in Quantum Gravity
• Critical Overview of Loops and Foams
• Near-Horizon BMS Symmetry, Dimensional Reduction, and Black Hole Entropy
• The quantum of area $\Delta A=8\pi l_P^2$ and a statistical interpretation of black hole entropy
• Entropic corrections to Newton's law
• Holographic phase space: $c$-functions and black holes as renormalization group flows
• Spectrum and Statistical Entropy of AdS Black Holes
• Vacuum thermal effects in flat space-time from conformal quantum mechanics
• Holographic moving mirrors
• Quantum ergosphere and brick wall entropy
• Small Spins of Primordial Black Holes from Random Geometries: Bekenstein-Hawking Entropy and Gravitational Wave Observations
• Is the Page-time paradox paradoxical?
• A Simple Determination of the (LOGARITHMIC) Corrections of Black Hole Entropy "without Knowing the Details of Quantum Gravity"
• Fourier Analysis of the BTZ Black Hole