Tachyons and Black Hole Horizons in Gauge Theory

TL;DR

This paper proposes that tachyon instabilities in M(atrix) theory serve as the absorption mechanism for probes crossing black hole horizons, offering insights into matter capture and thermalization in Schwarzschild black holes.

Contribution

It introduces the idea that tachyon instabilities are responsible for absorption at black hole horizons within M(atrix) theory, supported by qualitative and large-N calculations.

Findings

Tachyon instabilities occur at the black hole horizon in M(atrix) theory.

Tachyon mechanisms effectively capture and thermalize infalling matter.

Qualitative and quantitative analyses support the proposed absorption process.

Abstract

Any probe which crosses the horizon of a black hole should be absorbed. In M(atrix) theory, for 0-brane probes of Schwarzschild black holes, we argue that the relevant absorption mechanism is a tachyon instability which sets in at the horizon. We give qualitative arguments, and some quantitative large-N calculations, in support of this claim. The tachyon instability provides an attractive mechanism for infalling matter to be captured and thermalized by a Schwarzschild black hole.