Black Holes and the SYM Phase Diagram

TL;DR

This paper explores the relationship between thermodynamic transitions in super Yang-Mills theory and supergravity, constructing a phase diagram of M-theory objects and identifying signatures of black hole formation from SYM physics.

Contribution

It clarifies the connection between SYM and supergravity phase transitions using the Matrix and Maldacena conjectures, and constructs a detailed phase diagram including critical points and phases.

Findings

Constructed the thermodynamic phase diagram of DLCQ M-theory objects.

Identified a signature of black hole formation from SYM physics.

Characterized critical manifolds and identified a triple point.

Abstract

Making combined use of the Matrix and Maldacena conjectures, the relation between various thermodynamic transitions in super Yang-Mills (SYM) and supergravity is clarified. The thermodynamic phase diagram of an object in DLCQ M-theory in four and five non-compact space dimensions is constructed; matrix strings, matrix black holes, and black $p$-branes are among the various phases. Critical manifolds are characterized by the principles of correspondence and longitudinal localization, and a triple point is identified. The microscopic dynamics of the Matrix string near two of the transitions is studied; we identify a signature of black hole formation from SYM physics.