On Black Hole Area Quantization and Echoes

TL;DR

This paper argues that black hole area quantization does not produce observable gravitational wave echoes during mergers, due to broad spectral effects caused by particle emission, challenging recent claims in the literature.

Contribution

It demonstrates that quantum spectrum broadening during black hole mergers prevents the formation of detectable gravitational wave echoes, questioning previous assumptions.

Findings

Black hole area quantization does not lead to echoes.

Spectral broadening occurs during and after mergers.

Particle emission causes the spectrum to wash out.

Abstract

In this work we argue that black hole area quantization of Bekenstein and Mukhanov should not give rise to measurable effects in terms of so-called gravitational wave echoes during black hole mergers. We outline that the quantum spectrum of a black hole should be washed out during and after black hole mergers, and hence one should not expect echoes in this scenario. The extreme broadening of the spectrum is due to the large particle emission rate during ringdown. Our results question key assumptions being made in recent literature on this topic.