Statistical physics of black holes as quantum-mechanical systems

Understand

Some basic features of black-hole statistical mechanics are investigated, assuming that black holes respect the principles of quantum mechanics.

• Care is needed in defining an entropy S_bh corresponding to the number of microstates of a black hole, given that the black hole interacts with its surroundings.
• An open question is then the relationship between this entropy and the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy S_BH.
• For a wide class of models with interactions needed to ensure unitary quantum evolution, these interactions produce extra energy flux beyond that predicted by Hawking.