Geometry of black hole thermodynamics (Q1415433)

The Hessian of the thermodynamic entropy function \(S\), that is the matrix \(g_{ij}\equiv-\partial_i\partial_jS(X)\), can be thought of as a metric tensor on the state space. In the context of thermodynamical fluctuation theory, Ruppeiner argued that the Riemannian geometry of this metric gives insight into the underlying statistical mechanical system; the claim is supported by numerous examples. The authors study this geometry for the Reissner-Nordström and Reissner-Nordström-anti-de Sitter black holes in some detail. It is observed that the curvature diverges both in the extremal limit and along the curve where the metric changes signature, that is where the thermodynamical stability properties are changing. The state spaces for varying values of the cosmological constant are investigated. The Cotton-York tensor for the three dimensional Kerr-Newman family is computed and from this it is concluded that the Ruppeiner geometry is not conformally flat. The geometry is flat for the BTZ and Reissner-Nordström black holes, while curvature singularities occur for the Reissner-Nordström-anti-de Sitter and Kerr black holes.