Horizon thermodynamics in fourth-order gravity

In the framework of horizon thermodynamics, the field equations of Einstein gravity and some other second-order gravities can be rewritten as the thermodynamic identity: $dE=TdS-PdV$. However, in order to construct the horizon thermodynamics in higher-order gravity, we have to simplify the field equations firstly. In this paper, we study the fourth-order gravity and convert it to second-order gravity via a so-called " Legendre transformation " at the cost of introducing two other fields besides the metric field. With this simplified theory, we implement the conventional procedure in the construction of the horizon thermodynamics in 3 and 4 dimensional spacetime. We find that the field equations in the fourth-order gravity can also be written as the thermodynamic identity. Moreover, we can use this approach to derive the same black hole mass as that by other methods.Comment: 12 pages, no figur

(2+1)(2+1)-dimensional regular black holes with nonlinear electrodynamics sources

On the basis of two requirements: the avoidance of the curvature singularity and the Maxwell theory as the weak field limit of the nonlinear electrodynamics, we find two restricted conditions on the metric function of $(2+1)$-dimensional regular black hole in general relativity coupled with nonlinear electrodynamics sources. By the use of the two conditions, we obtain a general approach to construct $(2+1)$-dimensional regular black holes. In this manner, we construct four $(2+1)$-dimensional regular black holes as examples. We also study the thermodynamic properties of the regular black holes and verify the first law of black hole thermodynamics.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures. in press in PL

Stability of black holes based on horizon thermodynamics

On the basis of horizon thermodynamics we study the thermodynamic stability of black holes constructed in general relativity and Gauss-Bonnet gravity. In the framework of horizon thermodynamics there are only five thermodynamic variables $E,P,V,T,S$. It is not necessary to consider concrete matter fields, which may contribute to the pressure of black hole thermodynamic system. In non-vacuum cases, we can derive the equation of state, $P=P(V,T)$. According to the requirements of stable equilibrium in conventional thermodynamics, we start from these thermodynamic variables to calculate the heat capacity at constant pressure and Gibbs free energy and analyze the local and global thermodynamic stability of black holes. It is shown that $P>0$ is the necessary condition for black holes in general relativity to be thermodynamically stable, however this condition cannot be satisfied by many black holes in general relativity. For black hole in Gauss-Bonnet gravity negative pressure can be feasible, but only local stable black hole exists in this case.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure