Black Hole Cross Section at the Large Hadron Collider

TL;DR

This paper reviews the theoretical predictions and uncertainties of black hole production cross sections at the LHC, emphasizing the importance of precise estimates for interpreting experimental limits on extra dimensions and the Planck scale.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of the uncertainties in calculating black hole cross sections in higher dimensions relevant to LHC experiments.

Findings

Range of lower limits on the fundamental Planck scale at LHC energies

Identification of key uncertainties affecting cross section estimates

Updated predictions for black hole production probabilities

Abstract

Black hole production at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was first discussed in 1999. Since then, much work has been performed in predicting the black hole cross section. In light of the start up of the LHC, it is now timely to review the state of these calculations. We review the uncertainties in estimating the black hole cross section in higher dimensions. One would like to make this estimate as precise as possible since the predicted values, or lower limits, obtain for the fundamental Planck scale and number of extra dimensions from experiments will depend directly on the accuracy of the cross section. Based on the current knowledge of the cross section, we give a range of lower limits on the fundamental Planck scale that could be obtained at LHC energies.