Black Holes and String Theory

TL;DR

This paper introduces black holes within string theory, focusing on recent entropy calculations using D-brane statistical mechanics, and provides an overview of relevant literature for further study.

Contribution

It presents a concise introduction to black holes in string theory and discusses recent advances in entropy calculations via D-brane models.

Findings

Successful calculation of black hole entropy using D-brane states

Connection between string theory and black hole thermodynamics

Overview of key literature in the field

Abstract

This is a short summary of my lectures given at the Fourth Mexican School on Gravitation and Mathematical Physics. These lectures gave a brief introduction to black holes in string theory, in which I primarily focussed on describing some of the recent calculations of black hole entropy using the statistical mechanics of D-brane states. The following overview will also provide the interested students with an introduction to the relevant literature.