A comment on black hole state counting in loop quantum gravity

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the methods of counting black hole microstates in loop quantum gravity, highlighting issues with recent approaches that do not align with established counting procedures.

Contribution

It clarifies the correct counting methods for black hole microstates in loop quantum gravity and critiques recent alternative approaches.

Findings

Counting all allowed $j,m$ states is standard

Counting only $m$ states is another method

Recent approach counting states with $|m|=j$ is inconsistent

Abstract

There are two ways of counting microscopic states of black holes in loop quantum gravity, one counting all allowed spin network labels $j,m$ and the other involving only the labels $m$. Counting states with $|m|=j$, as done in a recent Letter, does not follow either.