Four Dimensional Black Hole Microstates: From D-branes to Spacetime Foam

Jun, 2006
32 pages
Published in:
  • JHEP 01 (2008) 056
e-Print:
Report number:
  • UPR-1154-T,
  • LBNL-60486

Citations per year

20062011201620212025051015
Abstract: (arXiv)
We propose that every supersymmetric four dimensional black hole of finite area can be split up into microstates made up of primitive half-BPS "atoms''. The mutual non-locality of the charges of these "atoms'' binds the state together. In support of this proposal, we display a class of smooth, horizon-free, four dimensional supergravity solutions carrying the charges of black holes, with multiple centers each carrying the charge of a half-BPS state. At vanishing string coupling the solutions collapse to a bound system of intersecting D-branes. At weak coupling the system expands into the non-compact directions forming a topologically complex geometry. At strong coupling, a new dimension opens up, and the solutions form a "foam'' of spheres threaded by flux in M-theory. We propose that this transverse growth of the underlying bound state of constitutent branes is responsible for the emergence of black hole horizons for coarse-grained observables. As such, it suggests the link between the D-brane and "spacetime foam'' approaches to black hole entropy.
Note:
  • 32 pages, LaTeX, 3 eps figures. References added, example fixed, extra appendix
  • D-branes
  • Black Holes in String Theory
  • Black Holes
  • membrane model: D-brane
  • space-time: foam
  • black hole
  • supersymmetry
  • supergravity
  • soliton: BPS
  • charge: topological