Signature of Non-uniform Area Quantization on Black Hole Echoes

TL;DR

This paper explores how non-uniform area quantization of black holes influences gravitational wave echoes, proposing a new method to distinguish quantum models of black hole horizons through future observations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of how area-quantization affects black hole echoes, offering a potential observational probe of near-horizon quantum effects.

Findings

Black hole area-quantization modifies echo waveforms.

Echo characteristics depend on quantization model parameters.

Potential to differentiate quantum models via gravitational wave data.

Abstract

A classical black hole is characterized by a horizon that absorbs radiation of all frequencies incident on it. Perturbation of these black holes is well-understood via exponentially damped sinusoids known as quasi-normal modes. Any departure from such classical behavior near the horizon may induce significant modifications in the late time evolution of the perturbation leading to so-called gravitational wave echoes. This work considers the effect of black hole area-quantization on the formation of gravitational wave echoes. We investigate how the resulting echo waveform may depend on various model parameters. Our study opens up a new window to distinguish different models of area quantization using future gravitational wave observations and provides a novel probe to study the near horizon physics.