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String Theory Demystified

String Theory Demystified

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CHAPTER 14 Black Holes 249<br />

Entropy Calculations for Black Holes<br />

with <strong>String</strong> <strong>Theory</strong><br />

We will consider two cases, a Schwarzschild black hole where we use a somewhat<br />

loose heuristic estimate and a calculation for a fi ve-dimensional charged black hole.<br />

In string theory, the calculation of the entropy of a black hole is easiest in fi ve<br />

dimensions. This is due to an amazing property of fi ve-dimensional black holes that<br />

arises from supersymmetry. It turns out that supersymmetry allows us to count up<br />

string states while taking the string-coupling constant gs = 0 , which amounts to<br />

considering a set of noninteracting strings—something not really possible in a<br />

black hole. This greatly simplifi es the calculation and what is remarkable is that the<br />

result obtained with no coupling is valid for any coupling strength g . s<br />

Remember the adiabatic theorem? The procedure used here is something you<br />

already know about from ordinary quantum mechanics. In quantum mechanics,<br />

you can disturb a system adiabatically so that the energy levels are not disturbed.<br />

The adiabatic method is used here—the string-coupling constant is varied<br />

adiabatically so that large gravitational forces transition to a weak regime. Entropy,<br />

however, is an adiabatic invariant. So while we weaken the string coupling, the<br />

entropy remains the same as long as things are done adiabatically.<br />

In string theory, we start with a collection of highly coupled strings and then let<br />

the coupling gs → 0 slowly. We work in the usual D = 10 space-time of superstring<br />

theory, and need to compactify some extra dimensions to get an effective fi vedimensional<br />

space-time. Supersymmetry remains unbroken if we compactify<br />

5 9<br />

dimensions into tiny circles. We compactify the dimensions x , ..., x leaving us<br />

with the remaining fi ve-dimensional space-time described by the coordinates<br />

0 1 2 3 4<br />

x , x , x , x , x . The black hole can actually be thought of as two objects—a<br />

string carrying a charge Q 1 and a 5-brane with charge Q 2 . These charges are winding<br />

modes as we will see below.<br />

First we consider an adiabatic process g s → 0 applied to a Schwarzschild black<br />

hole in D dimensions. A straightforward calculation using the laws of black hole<br />

mechanics shows that the entropy is given by<br />

D−2<br />

A D 3<br />

S = = mBG 4G<br />

D<br />

D D<br />

1<br />

− −3<br />

Ω (14.33)<br />

where m B is the mass of the black hole. The entropy can be estimated quite simply<br />

from string theory considerations. For an excited string, the entropy is proportional<br />

to the product of the mass times its length:<br />

D−2<br />

S ∝ m (14.34)<br />

s

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