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arXiv · hep-th/9306069

The Stretched Horizon and Black Hole Complementarity

L. Susskind·L. Thorlacius·J. Uglum
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Abstract

Three postulates asserting the validity of conventional quantum theory, semi-classical general relativity and the statistical basis for thermodynamics are introduced as a foundation for the study of black hole evolution. We explain how these postulates may be implemented in a ``stretched horizon'' or membrane description of the black hole, appropriate to a distant observer. The technical analysis is illustrated in the simplified context of 1+1 dimensional dilaton gravity. Our postulates imply that the dissipative properties of the stretched horizon arise from a course graining of microphysical degrees of freedom that the horizon must possess. A principle of black hole complementarity is advocated. The overall viewpoint is similar to that pioneered by 't~Hooft but the detailed implementation is different.

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L. Susskind, L. Thorlacius, J. Uglum. 1993-06-28. The Stretched Horizon and Black Hole Complementarity. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.48.3743

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