New Inequalities in Extended Black Hole Thermodynamics

We propose novel thermodynamic inequalities that apply to stationary asymptotically Anti-de Sitter (AdS) black holes. These inequalities incorporate the thermodynamic volume and refine the reverse isoperimetric inequality. To assess the validity of our conjectures, we apply them to a wide range of analytical black hole solutions, observing compelling evidence in their favour. Intriguingly, our findings indicate that these inequalities may also apply for black holes of non-spherical horizon topology, as we show their validity as well for thin black rings in AdS.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figur

Quantum BTZ black hole

We study a holographic construction of quantum rotating BTZ black holes that incorporates the exact backreaction from strongly coupled quantum conformal fields. It is based on an exact four-dimensional solution for a black hole localized on a brane in AdS4, first discussed some years ago but never fully investigated in this manner. Besides quantum CFT effects and their backreaction, we also investigate the role of higher-curvature corrections in the effective three-dimensional theory. We obtain the quantum-corrected geometry and the renormalized stress tensor. We show that the quantum black hole entropy, which includes the entanglement of the fields outside the horizon, satisfies the first law of thermodynamics exactly, even in the presence of backreaction and with higher-curvature corrections, while the Bekenstein-Hawking-Wald entropy does not. This result, which involves a rather non-trivial bulk calculation, shows the consistency of the holographic interpretation of braneworlds. We compare our renormalized stress tensor to results derived for free conformal fields, and for a previous holographic construction without backreaction effects, which is shown to be a limit of the solutions in this article

The Casimir Effect in Minimal Length Theories based on a Generalized Uncertainity Principle

We study the corrections to the Casimir effect in the classical geometry of two parallel metallic plates, separated by a distance $a$, due to the presence of a minimal length ($\hbar\sqrt{(\beta)}$) arising from quantum mechanical models based on a Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP). The approach for the quantization of the electromagnetic field is based on projecting onto the maximally localized states of a few specific GUP models and was previously developed to study the Casimir-Polder effect. For each model we compute the lowest order correction in the minimal length to the Casimir energy and find that it scales with the fifth power of the distance between the plates $a^{-5}$ as opposed to the well known QED result which scales as $a^{-3}$ and, contrary to previous claims, we find that it is always attractive. The various GUP models can be in principle differentiated by the strength of the correction to the Casimir energy as every model is characterized by a specific multiplicative numerical constant.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figur

On the universality of thermodynamics and η/s ratio for the charged Lovelock black branes

Abstract: We investigate general features of charged Lovelock black branes by giving a detailed description of geometrical, thermodynamic and holographic properties of charged Gauss-Bonnet (GB) black branes in five dimensions. We show that when expressed in terms of effective physical parameters, the thermodynamic behaviour of charged GB black branes is completely indistinguishable from that of charged Einstein black branes. Moreover, the extremal, near-horizon limit of the two classes of branes is exactly the same as they allow for the same AdS2 × R3, near-horizon, exact solution. This implies that, although in the UV the associated dual QFTs are different, they flow in the IR to the same fixed point. The calculation of the shear viscosity to entropy ratio η/s confirms these results. Despite the GB dual plasma has in general a non-universal temperature-dependent η/s, it flows monotonically to the universal value 1/4π in the IR. For negative (positive) GB coupling constant, η/s is an increasing (decreasing) function of the temperature and the flow respects (violates) the KSS bound

White Paper and Roadmap for Quantum Gravity Phenomenology in the Multi-Messenger Era

The unification of quantum mechanics and general relativity has long been elusive. Only recently have empirical predictions of various possible theories of quantum gravity been put to test. The dawn of multi-messenger high-energy astrophysics has been tremendously beneficial, as it allows us to study particles with much higher energies and travelling much longer distances than possible in terrestrial experiments, but more progress is needed on several fronts. A thorough appraisal of current strategies and experimental frameworks, regarding quantum gravity phenomenology, is provided here. Our aim is twofold: a description of tentative multimessenger explorations, plus a focus on future detection experiments. As the outlook of the network of researchers that formed through the COST Action CA18108 "Quantum gravity phenomenology in the multi-messenger approach (QG-MM)", in this work we give an overview of the desiderata that future theoretical frameworks, observational facilities, and data-sharing policies should satisfy in order to advance the cause of quantum gravity phenomenology.Comment: Submitted to CQG for the Focus Issue on "Quantum Gravity Phenomenology in the Multi-Messenger Era: Challenges and Perspectives". Please contact us to express interesst of endorsement of this white pape

Minimal Length Scale Scenarios for Quantum Gravity

We review the question of whether the fundamental laws of nature limit our ability to probe arbitrarily short distances. First, we examine what insights can be gained from thought experiments for probes of shortest distances, and summarize what can be learned from different approaches to a theory of quantum gravity. Then we discuss some models that have been developed to implement a minimal length scale in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. These models have entered the literature as the generalized uncertainty principle or the modified dispersion relation, and have allowed the study of the effects of a minimal length scale in quantum mechanics, quantum electrodynamics, thermodynamics, black-hole physics and cosmology. Finally, we touch upon the question of ways to circumvent the manifestation of a minimal length scale in short-distance physics.Comment: Published version available at http://www.livingreviews.org/lrr-2013-

Quantum gravity phenomenology at the dawn of the multi-messenger era—A review

The exploration of the universe has recently entered a new era thanks to the multi-messenger paradigm, characterized by a continuous increase in the quantity and quality of experimental data that is obtained by the detection of the various cosmic messengers (photons, neutrinos, cosmic rays and gravitational waves) from numerous origins. They give us information about their sources in the universe and the properties of the intergalactic medium. Moreover, multi-messenger astronomy opens up the possibility to search for phenomenological signatures of quantum gravity. On the one hand, the most energetic events allow us to test our physical theories at energy regimes which are not directly accessible in accelerators; on the other hand, tiny effects in the propagation of very high energy particles could be amplified by cosmological distances. After decades of merely theoretical investigations, the possibility of obtaining phenomenological indications of Planck-scale effects is a revolutionary step in the quest for a quantum theory of gravity, but it requires cooperation between different communities of physicists (both theoretical and experimental). This review, prepared within the COST Action CA18108 “Quantum gravity phenomenology in the multi-messenger approach”, is aimed at promoting this cooperation by giving a state-of-the art account of the interdisciplinary expertise that is needed in the effective search of quantum gravity footprints in the production, propagation and detection of cosmic messengers.publishedVersio