Conformal Field Theory, (2+1)-Dimensional Gravity, and the BTZ Black Hole
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
2010-04-28 v4 High Energy Physics - Theory
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.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.gr-qc/0503022,
title = {Conformal Field Theory, (2+1)-Dimensional Gravity, and the BTZ Black Hole},
author = {S. Carlip},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:gr-qc/0503022},
year = {2010}
}
Comments
50 pages, LaTeX; draft of review article -- comments, corrections, additions, complaints welcomed; v2: more and better references, minor additions; v3: more references; v4: minor typos corrected to match published version