Black Hole Thermodynamics in a Box

TL;DR

This paper discusses how black hole thermodynamics and the partition function are well-defined only when the temperature is fixed at a finite boundary, highlighting boundary conditions' importance.

Contribution

It demonstrates that black hole partition functions require fixed temperature boundary conditions for consistency.

Findings

Partition function is well-defined only with fixed boundary temperature.

Boundary conditions critically influence black hole thermodynamics.

Discusses implications for black hole thermodynamics in finite regions.

Abstract

Simple calculations indicate that the partition function for a black hole is defined only if the temperature is fixed on a finite boundary. Consequences of this result are discussed. (Contribution to the Proceedings of the Lanczos Centenary Conference.)