arXiv subjects

Andrew Svesko

Publications and source records attributed to Andrew Svesko.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Gravitational index of the D1-D5-P black string

We present saddle-points of the Euclidean Gravitational Path Integral (GPI) corresponding to the supersymmetric index of the D1-D5-P black string. These saddles are complex, supersymmetric, non-extremal solutions of 10-dimensional IIB supergravity theory with arbitrary inverse temperature $\beta$. The solutions carry fixed monopole charges $Q_1$, $Q_5$, $Q_n$, and angular momentum $J_L$ equal to the extremal supersymmetric black string. Crucially, the solutions have fixed angular velocity $\Omega_{R} = - 2 \pi i /\beta$, which is the chemical potential dual to $J_R$. This implements the insertion of $(-1)^{F}$ in the GPI. The Gibbons-Hawking on-shell action is temperature-independent and agrees with the supersymmetric index of the extremal black string carrying the same monopole charges. Upon taking a finite-temperature near-horizon decoupling limit, we obtain solutions of the form $S^3$ fibered over BTZ. Although these near-horizon solutions have finite holomorphic and anti-holomorphic modular parameters, their on-shell action reproduces the Cardy formula of the holomorphic elliptic genus of the dual D1-D5 SCFT$_2$.

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arXiv2026

Action integrals for quantum BTZ black holes

Black holes exactly incorporating quantum matter backreaction effects, namely, quantum black holes, are notoriously difficult to construct, let alone study their horizon thermodynamics. Here, we derive the thermodynamics of three-dimensional charged and rotating quantum black holes via the tree-level gravitational partition function. Specifically, we primarily focus on holographic quantum BTZ black holes, dual to $(3+1)$-dimensional accelerating black holes in anti-de Sitter space that localize on Karch-Randall end-of-the-world (ETW) branes. To derive their horizon thermodynamics, we regulate the bulk Euclidean geometry by adding a second ETW brane at asymptotic spatial infinity. We compute the on-shell action of the complexified accelerating black hole in the grand canonical ensemble and derive the quantum BTZ black hole thermodynamics, where the thermal entropy is equal to the generalized entropy. This provides a first principles derivation of the generalized entropy of three-dimensional quantum black holes. Further, we construct charged and rotating quantum black holes in three-dimensional de Sitter and Minkowski space using Randall-Sundrum ETW branes, and compute their horizon thermodynamics.

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arXiv2025

Mass and entropy of asymptotically flat eternal quantum black holes in 2D

Semi-classical dilaton gravity in (1+1)-dimensions remains one of the only arenas where quantum black holes can be exactly constructed, fully accounting for backreaction due to quantum matter. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis of the mass and thermodynamic properties of static asymptotically flat quantum black holes both analytically and numerically. First, we analytically investigate eternal quantum black hole solutions to a one-parameter family of analytically solvable models interpolating between Russo-Susskind-Thorlacius and Bose, Parker, and Peleg gravities. Examining these models in a semi-classically allowed parameter space, we find naked singularities may exist for quantum fields in the Boulware state. Using a quasi-local formalism, where we confine the black hole to a finite sized cavity, we derive the conserved energy and analyze the system's thermal behavior. Specifically, we show the semi-classical Wald entropy precisely equals the generalized entropy, accounting for both gravitational and fine grained matter entropies, and we find a range where the quantum black holes are thermally stable. Finally, we numerically construct eternal black hole solutions to semi-classical Callan-Giddings-Harvey-Strominger gravity and find their thermal behavior is qualitatively different from their analytic counterparts. In the process, we develop an analytic expansion of the solutions and find it accurately approximates the full numerical solutions in the semi-classical limit.

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arXiv2025

The Stretched Horizon Limit

We consider four-dimensional general relativity with a positive cosmological constant, $\Lambda$, in the presence of a boundary, $\Gamma$, of finite spatial size. The boundary is located near a cosmological event horizon, and is subject to boundary conditions that fix the conformal class of the induced metric, and, $K$, the trace of the extrinsic curvature along $\Gamma$. The proximity of $\Gamma$ to the horizon is controlled by the dimensionless parameter ${K}{{\Lambda}^{-\frac{1}{2}}}$. We provide an exhaustive analysis of linearised gravitational perturbations for the setup. This is performed both for a $\Gamma$ encasing a portion of the static patch that ends just before the cosmological horizon (pole patch), as well as a $\Gamma$ containing only the region near the cosmological horizon (cosmic patch). In the pole patch, we uncover a layered hierarchy of modes: ordinary normal modes, a novel type of boundary gapless mode, and boundary soft modes of frequency $\omega \approx \pm 2\pi i T_{\text{dS}}$, with $T_{\text{dS}}$ the horizon temperature. Minkowskian behaviour is recovered only for angular momenta $l \gtrsim {K}{{\Lambda}^{-\frac{1}{2}}}$ which can be made parametrically large, thus attenuating previously found growing modes. In the cosmic patch, we uncover sound and shear fluid-dynamical modes that we interpret in terms of a conformal fluid with shear viscosity over entropy density ratio $\tfrac{\eta}{s} = \tfrac{1}{4\pi}$ and vanishing bulk viscosity $\zeta=0$. The fluid dynamical sector is shown to admit a non-linear treatment. We describe a scaling regime in which the stretched horizon gravitational dynamics is dictated by a universal Rindler geometry, independent to the details of the infilling horizon. We briefly discuss quantitative features that distinguish cosmological and black hole horizons away from the Rindler regime.

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arXiv2025

Untangling Selberg from the Wilson spool: 1-loop determinants and trace formulae in (A)dS$_{3}$

Leading quantum effects in perturbative quantum gravity are captured by functional determinants of kinetic operators. We study such 1-loop determinants in three-dimensional Euclidean (anti-) de Sitter gravity evaluated using two seemingly disparate tools, the Selberg zeta function and the Wilson spool. For the Euclidean BTZ black hole, we demonstrate the Wilson spool for massive bosons of arbitrary spin directly equates to a representation-theoretic version of the Selberg zeta function. In the case of Euclidean de Sitter, we show a new trace formula associated with the Fredholm determinant for the scalar Laplacian on the three-sphere reproduces the Wilson spool. Generalizing the trace formula, we comment on how to extend this Wilson spool construction to lens space quotients and higher-dimensional spheres.

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arXiv2025

Quantum censors: backreaction builds horizons

Cosmic censorship posits spacetime singularities remain concealed behind event horizons, preserving the determinism of General Relativity. While quantum gravity is expected to resolve singularities, we argue that cosmic censorship remains necessary whenever spacetime has a reliable semi-classical description. Using holography to construct exact solutions to semi-classical gravity, we show backreaction of quantum matter generates horizons -- quantum censors -- to thwart potential violations of censorship. Along with a quantum Penrose inequality, this provides compelling evidence cosmic censorship is robust, even nonperturbatively, in semi-classical gravity.

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arXiv2025

Conformal boundaries near extremal black holes

We examine four dimensional, near-extremal black hole solutions in the presence of a finite boundary obeying conformal boundary conditions, where the conformal class of the induced metric and the trace of the extrinsic curvature are fixed. Working in Euclidean signature and at fixed charge, we find the near-extremal regime is dominated by a double-scaling limit which reveals new scaling laws for the quasi-local conformal entropy at low temperatures. Upon spherical dimensional reduction, we obtain the effective two-dimensional dilaton-gravity theory that describes the near-extremal regime. In contrast to Dirichlet boundaries, for conformal boundaries a linear dilaton potential is not sufficient to capture the leading correction away from extremality and higher orders are needed. We also examine near-Nariai solutions and the spherical reduction of pure three-dimensional gravity in (Anti-) de Sitter space. In the latter, provided the boundary is placed near the conformal boundary of three-dimensional Anti-de Sitter space, the dynamics of the spherically symmetric boundary mode is governed by a Liouville equation that descends from a (minus) Schwarzian effective action.

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arXiv2025

The landscape of complexity measures in 2D gravity

We investigate the broad landscape of holographic complexity measures for theories dual to two-dimensional (2D) dilaton gravity. Previous studies have largely focused on the complexity=volume and complexity=action proposals for holographic complexity. Here we systematically construct and analyze a wide class of generalized complexity functionals, focusing on codimension-one bulk observables. Two complementary approaches are presented: one inspired by dimensional reduction of codimension-one observables from higher-dimensional gravity, and another that adopts a purely 2D perspective. We verify the resulting observables exhibit hallmark features of complexity, such as linear growth at late times and the switchback effect. We further offer heuristic interpretations of the role of multiple extremal surfaces when they appear. Finally, we comment on the bulk-to-boundary dictionary via the covariant Peierls bracket in 2D gravity. Our work lays the groundwork for a richer understanding of quantum complexity in low-dimensional holographic dualities.

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arXiv2025

Quantum induced superradiance

Superradiance, the phenomenon enabling energy extraction through radiation amplification, is not universal to all black holes. We show that semi-classical backreaction can induce superradiance, even when absent at the classical level. Specifically, we compute the quasinormal modes of a massless scalar field probing a family of rotating `quantum' black holes in three-dimensional anti-de Sitter space, accounting for all orders of backreaction due to quantum conformal matter. A subset of these modes is identified as superradiant, leading to the formation of quantum black hole `bombs'. All such quantum black holes have curvature singularities shrouded by horizons. Thus, while backreaction enforces cosmic censorship, it also renders the black holes dynamically unstable. Further, we find all thermally unstable black holes are dynamically unstable, though the converse does not hold generally. Our findings thus suggest a semiclassical version of the Gubser-Mitra conjecture on black hole stability. This motivates us to propose a stability criterion for quantum black holes.

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arXiv2024

$\text{T}\overline{\text{T}}$ deformations from AdS$_2$ to dS$_2$

We revisit the formalism of $\text{T}\overline{\text{T}}$ deformations for quantum theories that are holographically dual to two-dimensional dilaton-gravity theories with Dirichlet boundary conditions. To better understand the microscopics of de Sitter space, we focus on deformations for which the dual bulk geometry flows from Anti-de Sitter to de Sitter space. We explore two distinct ways to achieve this: either through so-called centaur geometries that interpolate between AdS$_2$ and dS$_2$, or by a spherical dimensional reduction of $\text{T}\overline{\text{T}} + \Lambda_2$ theories that were proposed to give a microscopic interpretation of three-dimensional de Sitter entropy. We derive the microscopic energy spectrum, heat capacities, and deformed Cardy expressions for the thermodynamic entropy in the canonical and microcanonical ensembles for these two setups. In both setups a signature of the change from AdS to dS is that the heat capacity at a fixed deformation parameter of the boundary system changes sign, indicating the existence of a thermodynamically unstable de Sitter patch. Our findings provide important consistency conditions for holographic models of the dS$_2$ static patch.

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arXiv2024

Nucleation of charged quantum de-Sitter$_{3}$ black holes

We construct charged, static black holes in three-dimensional de Sitter (dS$_{3}$) space that exactly account for semi-classical backreaction effects due to quantum conformal matter. This is accomplished using braneworld holography, where an accelerating, electrically charged anti-de Sitter$_{4}$ black hole localizes on a Randall-Sundrum end-of-the-world brane. Absent of backreaction, the black hole disappears, leaving a chemical conical defect. The "quantum" black hole has a physical parameter space characterized by a shark-fin diagram, with extremal, Nariai, and ultracold limits. We give a detailed analysis of the horizon thermodynamics, where we find the heat capacity of charged and neutral dS$_{3}$ black holes features Schottky peaks. In particular, for a specific temperature range, charged quantum black holes behave as thermal systems with a finite number of energy levels available to their underlying microscopic degrees of freedom, beyond which many energy levels become available. Finally, we compute the probability of nucleating quantum dS black holes. Our work gives a first step to study quantum matter backreaction effects on dS black hole decay.

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arXiv2024

Three-dimensional quantum black holes: a primer

We review constructions of three-dimensional `quantum' black holes. Such spacetimes arise via holographic braneworlds and are exact solutions to an induced higher-derivative theory of gravity consistently coupled to a large$-c$ quantum field theory with an ultraviolet cutoff, accounting for all orders of semi-classical backreaction. Notably, such quantum-corrected black holes are much larger than the Planck length. We describe the geometry and horizon thermodynamics of a host of asymptotically (anti-) de Sitter and flat quantum black holes. A summary of higher-dimensional extensions is given. We survey multiple applications of quantum black holes and braneworld holography.

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arXiv2024

Quantum inequalities for quantum black holes

We formulate spacetime inequalities applicable to quantum-corrected black holes to all orders of backreaction in semiclassical gravity. Namely, we propose refined versions of the quantum Penrose and reverse isoperimetric inequalities, valid for all known three-dimensional asymptotically anti-de Sitter quantum black holes. Previous proposals of the quantum Penrose inequality apply in higher dimensions but fail when applied in three dimensions beyond the perturbative regime. Our quantum Penrose inequality, valid in three dimensions, holds at all orders of backreaction. This suggests cosmic censorship must exist in non-perturbative semiclassical gravity. Our quantum reverse isoperimetric inequality implies a maximum entropy state for quantum black holes at fixed volume.

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arXiv2024

Liouville gravity at the end of the world: Deformed defects in AdS/BCFT

We study shape deformations of two-dimensional end-of-the-world (ETW) branes, such as those in bottom-up models of two-dimensional holographic boundary conformal field theories (BCFT), and derive an action for the theory of brane deformations in any bulk three-dimensional maximally symmetric spacetime. In the case of a bulk anti-de Sitter (AdS) spacetime, at leading order in the ultraviolet cutoff, the induced theory on the brane controlling its shape is Liouville gravity coupled to quantum matter. We show in certain limits the theory reduces to semi-classical AdS, dS or flat Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) gravity, thus providing the first doubly-holographic derivation of two-dimensional models of dilaton gravity minimally coupled to a large number of conformal fields. Specializing to the AdS JT gravity limit, we discuss the dual BCFT interpretation and provide evidence that changing the boundary conditions of JT gravity on the brane is equivalent to a deformation of the dual BCFT with the displacement operator. This establishes a doubly-holographic triality between (i) brane deformations in the bulk, (ii) JT gravity in the brane description, and (iii) irrelevant deformations of the CFT boundary. Lastly, in the presence of a non-trivial dilaton profile, we prove that the Ryu-Takayanagi formula for holographic BCFTs receives a contact term whenever the minimal surface ends on the brane.

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arXiv2023

Cornering gravitational entropy

We present a new derivation of gravitational entropy functionals in higher-curvature theories of gravity using corner terms that are needed to ensure well-posedness of the variational principle in the presence of corners. This is accomplished by cutting open a manifold with a conical singularity into a wedge with boundaries intersecting at a corner. Notably, our observation provides a rigorous definition of the action of a conical singularity that does not require regularization. For Einstein gravity, we compute the R\'enyi entropy of gravitational states with either fixed-periodicity or fixed-area boundary conditions. The entropy functional for fixed-area states is equal to the corner term, whose extremization follows from the variation of the Einstein action of the wedge under transverse diffeomorphisms. For general Lovelock gravity the entropy functional of fixed-periodicity states is equal to the Jacobson--Myers (JM) functional, while fixed-area states generalize to fixed-JM-functional states, having a flat spectrum. Extremization of the JM functional is shown to coincide with the variation of the Lovelock action of the wedge. For arbitrary $F$(Riemann) gravity, under special periodic boundary conditions, we recover the Dong--Lewkowycz entropy for fixed-periodicity states. Since the variational problem in the presence of corners is not well-posed, we conjecture the generalization of fixed-area states does not exist for such theories without additional boundary conditions. Thus, our work suggests the existence of entropy functionals is tied to the existence of corner terms which make the Dirichlet variational problem well-posed.

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arXiv2023

Gravitational R\'enyi entropy from corner terms

We provide a consistent first principles prescription to compute gravitational R\'enyi entropy using Hayward corner terms. For Euclidean solutions to Einstein gravity, we compute R\'enyi entropy of Hartle--Hawking and fixed--area states by cutting open a manifold containing a conical singularity into a wedge with a corner. The entropy functional for fixed--area states is equal to the corner term itself, having a flat-entanglement spectrum, while extremization of the functional follows from the variation of the corner term under diffeomorphisms. Notably, our method does not require regularization of the conical singularity, and naturally extends to higher-curvature theories of gravity.

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arXiv2023

Reentrant phase transitions of quantum black holes

We show backreaction of quantum fields on black hole geometries can trigger new thermal phase transitions. Specifically, we study the phase behavior of the three-dimensional quantum-corrected static BTZ black hole, an exact solution to specific semi-classical gravitational equations due to quantum conformal matter, discovered through braneworld holography. Focusing on the canonical ensemble, for large backreaction, we find novel reentrant phase transitions as the temperature monotonically increases, namely, from thermal anti-de Sitter space to the black hole and back to thermal anti-de Sitter. The former phase transition is first-order, a quantum analog of the classical Hawking-Page phase transition, while the latter is zeroth-order and has no classical counterpart.

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arXiv2023

Gravitation from optimized computation: Einstein and beyond

A new principle in quantum gravity, dubbed spacetime complexity, states that gravitational physics emerges from spacetime seeking to optimize the computational cost of its quantum dynamics. Thus far, this principle has been realized at the linearized level, in holographic theories with Einstein gravity duals, assuming the so-called 'Complexity-Volume' (CV) proposal. We expand on this proof in two significant directions. First, we derive higher-derivative gravitational equations by including appropriate corrections to the CV dictionary. Second, we show semi-classical equations arise by considering the leading bulk quantum corrections to CV. Our proof is valid for two-dimensional dilaton gravities, where the problem of semi-classical backreaction can be solved exactly. However, we argue the principle should hold more generally, leading us to a concrete proposal for bulk complexity of perturbative excited states in arbitrary dimensions. Our results demonstrate the robustness of spacetime complexity as a guiding principle to understand gravity in terms of quantum computation.

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