World-volume effective theory for higher-dimensional black holes

Area of Science:

• Theoretical Physics
• Gravitational Physics
• String Theory

Background:

• Four-dimensional black holes have well-understood properties.
• Higher-dimensional black holes exhibit novel phenomena not seen in lower dimensions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the key feature driving novel properties in higher-dimensional black holes.
• To develop a theoretical framework for understanding their dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Development of a long-distance world-volume effective theory.
• Analysis of black hole dynamics at scales much larger than a short scale.
• Modeling black holes as blackfolds (black branes on curved submanifolds).

Main Results:

• Identified two characteristic lengths of very different size as the main feature of higher-dimensional black hole horizons.
• The blackfold approach captures black hole dynamics in a large-scale limit.
• Revealed novel horizon geometries and topologies, extending beyond the black ring.

Conclusions:

• The blackfold framework provides a new organizing principle for higher-dimensional black hole dynamics.
• This approach offers insights into complex horizon structures beyond the standard black ring.
• Highlights the importance of horizon geometry in understanding higher-dimensional gravity.