Gravitation, thermodynamics, and quantum theory

Jan, 1999
24 pages
Published in:
  • Class.Quant.Grav. 16 (1999) A177-A190
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Abstract: (arXiv)
During the past 30 years, research in general relativity has brought to light strong hints of a very deep and fundamental relationship between gravitation, thermodynamics, and quantum theory. The most striking indication of such a relationship comes from black hole thermodynamics, where it appears that certain laws of black hole mechanics are, in fact, simply the ordinary laws of thermodynamics applied to a system containing a black hole. This article will review the present status of black hole thermodynamics and will discuss some of the related unresolved issues concerning gravitation, thermodynamics, and quantum theory.
  • general relativity
  • thermodynamics
  • black hole
  • mechanics: classical
  • quantum mechanics: effect
  • entropy