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Black Hole Thermodynamics without Black Hole Solutions
Meng-Nan Yang1, Guan-Yi Lu1, H Lü1,2
1Tianjin University, The International Joint Institute of Tianjin University, Fuzhou, Tianjin 300072, China.
Physical Review Letters
|July 10, 2026
Summary
Researchers derived thermodynamic quantities for charged black holes using Einstein-Maxwell-Maxwell-dilaton theory without needing exact solutions. This accessible technique applies broadly to string theories for complex black hole thermodynamics.
Area of Science:
- Theoretical Physics
- String Theory
- Black Hole Thermodynamics
Background:
- Einstein-Maxwell-Maxwell-dilaton theory is a framework inspired by string theory.
- Determining thermodynamic quantities of charged black holes often requires complex, exact solutions.
- Existing methods can be computationally intensive or inaccessible for certain black hole types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive complete thermodynamic quantities of charged black holes.
- To demonstrate a novel method that bypasses the need for explicit black hole solutions.
- To establish a broadly applicable technique for string theory black holes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the string-theory-inspired Einstein-Maxwell-Maxwell-dilaton theory.
- Focused on deriving thermodynamic quantities directly from the theory's framework.
- Avoided the construction of explicit black hole spacetime solutions.
Main Results:
- Successfully derived the complete set of thermodynamic quantities for charged black holes.
- Demonstrated that exact black hole solutions are not necessary for this derivation.
- Established the generality of the method for various string theories.
Conclusions:
- A new, accessible method for calculating black hole thermodynamics has been developed.
- This technique simplifies the study of complex black hole systems in string theory.
- The approach offers a pathway to investigate thermodynamic properties where exact solutions are unavailable.
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