Quantum states and their back-reacted geometries in 2D dilaton gravity

Abstract

Within the Russo-Susskind-Thorlacius (RST) two-dimensional model that includes a scalar (dilaton) field we address the important question of how the classical black hole geometry is modified in a semiclassical gravitational theory. It is the principle goal of this paper to analyze what is the back-reacted geometry that corresponds to a given quantum state. The story is shown to be dramatically different for the Hartle-Hawking state (HH) and for the Boulware state. In the HH case the back-reacted geometry is a modification of the classical black hole metric that still has a smooth horizon with a regular curvature. On the other hand, for the Boulware state the classical horizon is replaced by a throat in which the (tt) component of the metric (while nonzero) is extremely small. The value of the metric at the throat is bounded by the inverse of the classical black hole entropy. On the other side of the throat the spacetime is ended at a null singularity. More generally, we identify a family of quantum states and their respective back-reacted geometries. We also identify a certain duality in the space of states. Finally, we study a hybrid setup where both physical and nonphysical fields, such as the ghosts, could be present. We suggest that it is natural to associate ghosts with the Boulware state, while the physical fields can be in any quantum state. In particular, if the physical fields are in the HH state, then the corresponding semiclassical geometry is horizonless. Depending on the balance between the number of physical fields and ghosts, it generically has a throat that may join with another asymptotically flat region on the other side of the throat. © 2022 authors. Published by the American Physical Society.