Modified Unruh Thermodynamics in Emergent Gravity: Finite Heat Capacity and Rényi Entropy

Abstract

We show that Jacobson's thermodynamic derivation of Einstein's equations remains valid when local Rindler horizons are treated as finite heat-capacity systems, resolving the unphysical infinite-bath assumption of standard Unruh thermodynamics. The resulting entropy takes the form of Rényi entropy with nonextensivity parameter $\lambda \sim C^{-1}$, or equivalently, a new "Einstein entropy" that exactly preserves the Einstein equations for all heat capacities. In both cases, the Unruh temperature is modified as \begin{equation*} T_\text{mod}=\frac{\hbarκ}{2π}\left(1+\frac{S}{C}\right), \end{equation*} establishing a universal link between finite-capacity thermodynamics and nonextensive entropy. We further obtain a corrected scalar Einstein equation with an upper bound on horizon energy flux, pointing to testable signatures in heavy-ion collisions, accelerator spin polarization, and analog gravity experiments. These results reinforce the robustness of the emergent-gravity paradigm and connect spacetime dynamics to generalized entropies of quantum information theory.

4 pages and 2 figures, accepted in Phys. Rev. Research