Statistical interpretation of Bekenstein entropy for systems with a stretched horizon

Abstract

For the 2-charge extremal holes in string theory we show that the Bekenstein entropy obtained from the area of the stretched horizon has a statistical interpretation as a `coarse graining entropy': different microstates give geometries that differ near r=0 and the stretched horizon cuts off the metric at r=b where these geometries start to differ.

4 pages, 3 figures, Revtex; comment added in the discussion