A new spin on the Weak Gravity Conjecture

The mild form of the Weak Gravity Conjecture states that quantum or higher-derivative corrections should decrease the mass of large extremal charged black holes at fixed charge. This allows extremal black holes to decay, unless protected by a symmetry (such as supersymmetry). We reformulate this conjecture as an integrated condition on the effective stress tensor capturing the effect of quantum or higher-derivative corrections. In addition to charged black holes, we also consider rotating BTZ black holes and show that this condition is satisfied as a consequence of the c-theorem, proving a spinning version of the Weak Gravity Conjecture. We also apply our results to a five-dimensional boosted black string with higher-derivative corrections. The boosted black string has a BTZxS(2) near-horizon geometry and, after Kaluza-Klein reduction, describes a four-dimensional charged black hole. Combining the spinning and charged Weak Gravity Conjecture we obtain positivity bounds on the five-dimensional Wilson coefficients that are stronger than those obtained from charged black holes alone.

Automated summary

This study investigates the mild form of the Weak Gravity Conjecture, which suggests that quantum or higher-derivative corrections affect the mass of large extremal black holes at fixed charge. By analyzing charged and rotating black holes, the validity of this condition is demonstrated. It also derives stronger positivity bounds on the five-dimensional Wilson coefficients compared to considering charged black holes alone.