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Conformal Field Theory, (2+1)-Dimensional Gravity, and the BTZ Black Hole

S. Carlip
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Abstract

In three spacetime dimensions, general relativity becomes a topological field theory, whose dynamics can be largely described holographically by a two-dimensional conformal field theory at the ``boundary'' of spacetime. I review what is known about this reduction--mainly within the context of pure (2+1)-dimensional gravity--and discuss its implications for our understanding of the statistical mechanics and quantum mechanics of black holes.

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S. Carlip. 2005-06-06. Conformal Field Theory, (2+1)-Dimensional Gravity, and the BTZ Black Hole. https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381%2F22%2F12%2Fr01

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