How to Expose a Black Hole

TL;DR

This paper discusses how black holes in string theory can be smoothly transformed into normal quantum states by varying the dilaton field, avoiding horizons and revealing their microstates.

Contribution

It demonstrates a method to transition black holes into quantum states through controlled dilaton variation, avoiding potential obstructions.

Findings

Black holes can be deformed into quantum states via dilaton variation.

Proper background choice avoids breakdown of adiabatic approximation.

Black holes can be converted into horizonless quantum states without evaporation.

Abstract

According to the correspondence principle of Horowitz and Polchinski, many black holes in string theory are continuously deformed to usual quantum systems involving D-branes and fundamental strings when the string coupling becomes sufficiently small. Therefore if we consider a configuration in space-time where the dilaton varies over an appropriate range, then a black hole moving in such a background will smoothly transition from the black hole state to a normal quantum state whose microstates are not hidden behind an event horizon. The possible obstruction to this mechanism comes from the fact that if the dilaton varies too fast then the adiabatic approximation may break down and / or the ambient space-time itself may collapse to a black hole and get hidden from the asymptotic observer. On the other hand, if the dilaton varies too slowly then the time that it takes for the black hole to travel the required distance will exceed the evaporation time of the black hole. We show that by choosing the background appropriately these obstructions can be avoided and a gentle motion towards the weak coupling region will convert the black hole into a normal quantum state without an event horizon.