Topology Change and Unitarity in Quantum Black Hole Dynamics

TL;DR

This paper explores how semiclassical topology change might restore unitarity in black hole dynamics, suggesting that topological fluctuations can mimic Poincare recurrences and impact the black hole S-matrix.

Contribution

It investigates the role of semiclassical topology change in restoring unitarity and reproducing Poincare recurrences in black hole perturbations.

Findings

Semiclassical topology fluctuations can mimic Poincare recurrences in infinite time-averages.

Topology change may contribute to unitarity restoration in black hole evolution.

Implications for the unitarity of the black hole S-matrix are discussed.

Abstract

We discuss to what extent semiclassical topology change is capable of restoring unitarity in the relaxation of perturbations of eternal black holes in thermal equilibrium. The Poincare recurrences required by unitarity are not correctly reproduced in detail, but their effect on infinite time-averages can be mimicked by these semiclassical topological fluctuations. We also discuss the possible implications of these facts to the question of unitarity of the black hole S-matrix.