Study of Three Dimensional Quantum Black Holes

TL;DR

This paper explores quantum properties of three-dimensional BTZ black holes, focusing on thermodynamics of scalar fields and string theory in black hole backgrounds, revealing complexities in entropy calculation and ghost issues in string spectra.

Contribution

It provides exact solutions for quantum field Green functions and analyzes string spectra in black hole backgrounds, addressing ghost problems and the quantization challenges.

Findings

Exact mode functions and Green functions derived

Entropy depends on calculation methods and boundary conditions

Ghost states identified in string spectrum

Abstract

We investigate quantum aspects of the three dimensional (BTZ) black holes. The discussions are devoted to two subjects: the thermodynamics of quantum scalar fields and the string theory in the three dimensional black hole backgrounds. We take two approaches to the thermodynamics. In one approach we use mode expansion, and in the other we use Hartle-Hawking Green functions. We obtain exact expressions of mode functions, Hartle-Hawking Green functions, Green functions on a cone geometry, and thermodynamic quantities. The entropies depend largely upon methods of calculation including regularization schemes and boundary conditions. This indicates the importance of precise discussions on the definition of the thermodynamic quantities for understanding black hole entropy. Then we investigate the string theory in the framework of conformal field theory. The model is described by an orbifold of the SL(2,R) WZW model. We discuss the spectrum by solving the level matching condition and obtain winding modes. We analyze the physical states and investigate the ghost problem. Explicit examples of negative-norm physical states (ghosts) are found. Thus we discuss possibilities for obtaining a sensible theory. The tachyon propagation and the target-space geometry are also discussed. This is the first attempt to quantize a string in a black hole background with an infinite number of propagating modes. Although we cannot overcome all the problems, our results may provide a useful basis for both subjects.