Self-similar critical geometries at horizon intersections and mergers

TL;DR

This paper investigates topology-changing transitions in higher-dimensional black holes, providing exact examples and local models for critical geometries that govern these phenomena, including horizon mergers and black hole to black ring transitions.

Contribution

It offers an exact example of conifold-type transitions at horizon intersections and introduces local models for critical geometries in higher-dimensional black hole phase space.

Findings

Exact example of conifold transition in D>=6 black hole horizons

Models for critical geometries in black hole phase transitions

Descriptions of horizon mergers and topology changes

Abstract

We study topology-changing transitions in the space of higher-dimensional black hole solutions. Kol has proposed that these are conifold-type transitions controlled by self-similar double-cone geometries. We present an exact example of this phenomenon in the intersection between a black hole horizon and a cosmological deSitter horizon in D >= 6. We also describe local models for the critical geometries that control many transitions in the phase space of higher-dimensional black holes, such as the pinch-down of a topologically spherical black hole to a black ring or to a black p-sphere, or the merger between black holes and black rings in black Saturns or di-rings in D >= 6.