On string theory and black holes

Witten, Edward

doi:10.1103/PhysRevD.44.314

On string theory and black holes

Edward Witten
(
- Princeton, Inst. Advanced Study
)

Mar, 1991

30 pages

Published in:

Phys.Rev.D 44 (1991) 314-324

DOI:

10.1103/PhysRevD.44.314

Report number:

IASSNS-HEP-91-12

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Abstract: (APS)

An exact conformal field theory describing a black hole in two-dimensional space-time is found as an SL(2,openR)/U(1) gauged Wess-Zumino-Witten model. For k=9/4, the conformal field theory can be regarded as a classical solution of the same system that is probed in the c=1 matrix model. The conformal field theory governing the space-time is regular at the Riemannian singularity, but it appears that generic perturbations blow up there. It is argued that the end point of the Hawking black-hole evaporation is the standard space-time of the c=1 matrix model, which should be regarded as an analog of the extreme Reissner-Nordström black hole of four-dimensional general relativity. The c=1 model is thus a model of the quantum mechanics of matter interacting with a black hole.

field theory: conformal
dimension: 2
current algebra
central charge
Wess-Zumino-Witten model
matrix model: solution
quantum gravity
black hole
radiation: Hawking
field theory: Liouville

References(56)

Figures(0)

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