Diagonalizing the Black Hole Information Retrieval Process

TL;DR

This work reexamines how black holes release absorbed information by modeling the process with a diagonalized set of mutually non-interacting modes generated by classical gravitational back-reaction. It derives a unitary S-matrix mapping ingoing horizon momentum distributions to outgoing ones and provides an eigenmode decomposition that clarifies how information propagates across the horizon. The study identifies per-mode entropy contributions and reveals divergences when summing over transverse modes, suggesting the horizon acts as a string-like worldsheet to regulate the theory. The results hint at deep connections between semi-classical gravity, horizon conformal structure, and string-inspired descriptions of black hole microstates, outlining a path for incorporating quantum gravity effects in information retrieval.

Abstract

The mechanism by which black holes return the absorbed information to the outside world is reconsidered, and described in terms of a set of mutually non-interacting modes. Our mechanism is based on the mostly classical gravitational back-reaction. The diagonalized formalism is particularly useful for further studies of this process. Although no use is made of string theory, our analysis appears to point towards an ensuing string-like interaction. It is shown how black hole entropy can be traced down to classical gravitational back-reaction.