Interface of general relativity, quantum physics and statistical mechanics: Some recent developments

A. Ashtekar

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

The arena normally used in black holes thermodynamics was recently generalized to incorporate a broad class of physically interesting situations. The key idea is to replace the notion of stationary event horizons by that of `isolated horizons.' Unlike event horizons, isolated horizons can be located in a space-time quasi-locally. Furthermore, they need not be Killing horizons. In particular, a space-time representing a black hole which is itself in equilibrium, but whose exterior contains radiation, admits an isolated horizon. In spite of this generality, the zeroth and first laws of black hole mechanics extend to isolated horizons. Furthermore, by carrying out a systematic, non-perturbative quantization, one can explore the quantum geometry of isolated horizons and account for their entropy from statistical mechanical considerations. After a general introduction to black hole thermodynamics as a whole, these recent developments are briefly summarized.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)178-198
Number of pages21
JournalAnnalen der Physik (Leipzig)
Volume9
Issue number3-5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
EventInternational European Conference on Gravitation - Journees Relativistes 99 - Weimar, Ger
Duration: Sep 12 1999Sep 17 1999

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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