Classical and Quantum Mechanics of Black Holes in Generic 2-D Dilaton Gravity

We present a Dirac quantization of generic single-horizon black holes in two-dimensional dilaton gravity. The classical theory is first partially reduced by a spatial gauge choice under which the spatial surfaces extend from a black or white hole singularity to a spacelike infinity. The theory is then quantized in a metric representation, solving the quantum Hamiltonian constraint in terms of (generalized) eigenstates of the ADM mass operator and specifying the physical inner...

Starting from the work of the author in 1990 with different collaborators, essential progress in 2d gravity theories has been made. Now all such theories (and not only certain special models) can be treated at the classical as well as at the quantum level. New physical insights have been obtained, as e.g. the ``virtual black hole''. The formalism developed in this context recently also finds increasing interest in mathematical physics.

We consider the Hamiltonian mechanics and thermodynamics of an eternal black hole in a box of fixed radius and temperature in generic 2-D dilaton gravity. Imposing boundary conditions analoguous to those used by Louko and Whiting for spherically symmetric gravity, we find that the reduced Hamiltonian generically takes the form: $$ H(M,\phi_+) = \sigma_0 E(M,\phi_+) -{N_0\over 2\pi} S(M) $$ where $E(M,\phi_+)$ is the quasilocal energy of a black hole of mass $M$ inside a stati...

We show that a whole class of quantum actions for dilaton-gravity, which reduce to the CGHS theory in the classical limit, can be written as a Liouville-like theory. In a sub-class of this, the field space singularity observed by several authors is absent, regardless of the number of matter fields, and in addition it is such that the dilaton-gravity functional integration range (the real line) transforms into itself for the Liouville theory fields. We also discuss some proble...

A brief review of the confrontation between black hole physics and quantum-mechanical unitarity is presented. Possibile reconciliations are modifying the laws of physics to allow fundamental loss of information, escape of information during the Hawking process, or black hole remnants. Each of these faces serious objections. A better understanding of the problem and its possible solutions can be had by studying two-dimensional models of dilaton gravity. Recent developments in ...

We perform a canonical analysis of the system of 2d vacuum dilatonic black holes. Our basic variables are closely tied to the spacetime geometry and we do not make the field redefinitions which have been made by other authors. We present a careful discssion of asymptotics in this canonical formalism. Canonical transformations are made to variables which (on shell) have a clear spacetime significance. We are able to deduce the location of the horizon on the spatial slice (on s...

The most general two-dimensional dilaton gravity theory coupled to an Abelian gauge field is considered. It is shown that, up to spacetime diffeomorphisms and $U(1)$ gauge transformations, the field equations admit a two-parameter family of distinct, static solutions. For theories with black hole solutions, coordinate invariant expressions are found for the energy, charge, surface gravity, Hawking temperature and entropy of the black holes. The Hawking temperature is propor...

A very general class of Lagrangians which couple scalar fields to gravitation and matter in two spacetime dimensions is investigated. It is shown that a vector field exists along whose flow lines the stress-energy tensor is conserved, regardless of whether or not the equations of motion are satisfied or if any Killing vectors exist. Conditions necessary for the existence of Killing vectors are derived. A new set of 2D black hole solutions is obtained for one particular member...

Two-dimensional matterless dilaton gravity is a topological theory and can be classically reduced to a (0+1)-dimensional theory with a finite number of degrees of freedom. If quantization is performed, a simple gauge invariant quantum mechanics is obtained. The properties of the gauge invariant operators and of the Hilbert space of physical states can be determined. In particular, for N-dimensional pure gravity with (N-2)-dimensional spherical symmetry, the square of the ADM ...

We present a classification of all global solutions (with Lorentzian signature) for any general 2D dilaton gravity model. For generic choices of potential-like terms in the Lagrangian one obtains maximally extended solutions on arbitrary non-compact two-manifolds, including various black-hole and kink configurations. We determine all physical quantum states in a Dirac approach. In some cases the spectrum of the (black-hole) mass operator is found to be sensitive to the signat...