Hawking Radiation Entropy and Horizon Divergences

TL;DR

This paper reviews divergences in black hole thermodynamics, examines the 'literal interpretation' of the zeroth law, and analyzes implications for partition function calculations in black hole physics.

Contribution

It introduces a new perspective called the 'literal interpretation' of the zeroth law to address divergences in black hole thermodynamics.

Findings

Identifies issues with conical defect procedures.

Proposes an interpretation affecting partition function calculations.

Analyzes consequences of the new interpretation on thermodynamical quantities.

Abstract

We review the problem of divergences in one--loop thermodynamical quantities for matter fields in thermal equilibrium on a black hole background. We discuss a number of results obtained for various thermodynamical quantities. Then we discuss the ansatz called ``literal interpretation" of zeroth law of black hole mechanics and try to explain the diseases of the conical defect procedure in light of this ansatz. Finally, an analysis of the consequences implied by our ansatz on the calculation of the partition function is made.