Thermodynamics and phases in quantum gravity

Understand

We give an approach for studying quantum gravity effects on black hole thermodynamics.

• This combines a quantum framework for gravitational collapse with quasi-local definitions of energy and surface gravity.
• Our arguments suggest that (i) the specific heat of a black hole becomes positive after a phase transition near the Planck scale,(ii) its entropy acquires a logarithmic correction, and (iii) the mass loss rate is modified such that Hawking radiation stops near the Planck scale.
• These results are due essentially to a realization of fundamental discreteness in quantum gravity, and are in this sense potentially theory independent.