Thermodynamics of Spacetime: The Einstein Equation of State

Gravity is a macroscopic manifestation of a microscopic quantum theory of space-time, just as the theories of elasticity and hydrodynamics are the macroscopic manifestation of the underlying quantum theory of atoms. The connection of gravitation and thermodynamics is long and deep. The observation that space-time has a temperature for accelerating observers and horizons is direct evidence that there are underlying microscopic degrees of freedom. The equipartition of energy, m...

It is shown that the Einstein-Hilbert action can be constructed by minimizing free energy. The entropy used to determine the free energy is determined on the horizon of a black hole. Some further considerations with regard to generalizations of these ideas to other situations of physical importance are presented as well.

We present a novel derivation of Einstein equations from the balance between Clausius entropy crossing the boundary of a local causal diamond and entanglement entropy associated with its horizon. Comparing this derivation with the entanglement equilibrium approach developed by Jacobson, we are able to argue for the equivalence of matter entanglement and Clausius entropy in the semiclassical regime. We also provide a direct comparison of both entropies for conformal matter, sh...

We propose an expression for the entropy density associated with the Local Causal Horizons in any diffeomorphism invariant theory of gravity. If the black-hole entropy of the theory satisfies the physical process version of the first law of thermodynamics then our proposed entropy satisfies the Clausius relation. Thus, our study shows that the thermodynamic nature of the spacetime horizons is not restricted to the black holes; it also applies to the local causal horizons in t...

The fact that one can associate thermodynamic properties with horizons brings together principles of quantum theory, gravitation and thermodynamics and possibly offers a window to the nature of quantum geometry. This review discusses certain aspects of this topic concentrating on new insights gained from some recent work. After a brief introduction of the overall perspective, Sections 2 and 3 provide the pedagogical background on the geometrical features of bifurcation horizo...

Starting from the first law of thermodynamics, $dE=T_hdS_h+WdV$, at apparent horizon of a FRW universe, and assuming that the associated entropy with apparent horizon has a quantum corrected relation, $S=\frac{A}{4G}-\alpha \ln \frac{A}{4G}+\beta \frac{4G}{A}$, we derive modified Friedmann equations describing the dynamics of the universe with any spatial curvature. We also examine the time evolution of the total entropy including the quantum corrected entropy associated with...

Here we develop the connection between thermodynamics, entanglement, and gravity. By attributing thermodynamics to timeslices of a causal diamond, we show that the Clausius relation $T\Delta S_{\text{rev}}=Q$, where $\Delta S_{\text{rev}}$ is the reversible entropy change, gives rise to the non-linear gravitational equations of motion for a wide class of diffeomorphism invariant theories. We then compare the Clausius relation to the first law of causal diamond mechanics (FLCD...

Although its practical efficiency is unquestionable, it is well known that thermodynamics presents conceptual difficulties from the theoretical point of view. It is shown that the problem comes from an imperfect compatibility between the first law and the second law. The solution suggested consists of connecting thermodynamics with relativity (and, by extension, with gravitation) through the Einstein mass-energy relation.

The notions of temperature, entropy and `evaporation', usually associated with spacetimes with horizons, are analyzed using general approach and the following results, applicable to different spacetimes, are obtained at one go. (i) The concept of temperature associated with the horizon is derived in a unified manner and is shown to arise from purely kinematic considerations. (ii) QFT near any horizon is mapped to a conformal field theory without introducing concepts from stri...

I describe how gravitational entropy is intimately connected with the concept of gravitational heat, expressed as the difference between the total and free energies of a given gravitational system. From this perspective one can compute these thermodyanmic quantities in settings that go considerably beyond Bekenstein's original insight that the area of a black hole event horizon can be identified with thermodynamic entropy. The settings include the outsides of cosmological hor...