Phase Transition in Loop Quantum Gravity

TL;DR

This paper suggests that loop quantum gravity predicts a phase transition in black holes at a specific temperature, where the quantum states of the horizon change dramatically, aligning with the Hawking temperature.

Contribution

It introduces a novel phase transition mechanism in loop quantum gravity based on state counting and puncture excitations on the black hole horizon.

Findings

Black holes undergo a phase transition at a characteristic temperature.

Punctures on the horizon jump from vacuum to excited states during the transition.

The critical temperature aligns with the Hawking temperature.

Abstract

We point out that with a specific counting of states loop quantum gravity implies that black holes perform a phase transition at a certain characteristic temperature $T_C$. In this phase transition the punctures of the spin network on the stretched horizon of the black hole jump, in effect, from the vacuum to the excited states. The characteristic temperature $T_C$ may be regarded as the lowest possible temperature of the hole. From the point of view of a distant observer at rest with respect to the hole the characteristic temperature $T_C$ corresponds to the Hawking temperature of the hole.