Fate of quantum black holes

We study the quantum dynamics of the Lema??tre-Tolman-Bondi space-times using a polymer quantization prescription based on loop quantum cosmology that incorporates fundamental discreteness. By solving an effective equation derived from this quantization, we find analytical solutions for the Oppenheimer-Snyder and thin-shell collapse models, and numerical solutions for a variety of asymptoti-cally flat collapsing dust profiles. Our study (i) tracks the formation, evolution, and disappearance of dynamical horizons, (ii) shows that matter undergoes a nonsingular bounce that results in an outgoing shock wave, (iii) determines black hole lifetime to be proportional to the square of its mass, and (iv) provides a conformal diagram that substantially modifies the standard ???information loss??? picture by resolving the singularity and replacing the event horizon by transient apparent horizons.

Automated summary

By studying the quantum dynamics of Lema??tre-Tolman-Bondi space-times using a polymer quantization prescription, we have obtained important insights such as the evolution of dynamical horizons, non-singular bounce phenomena, the relationship between black hole lifetime and mass, and the modification of the traditional "information loss" picture.