A Note on Circular Geodesics and Phase Transitions of Black Holes

Abstract

The circular motion of charged test particles in the gravitational field of a Reissner-Nordstr\"{o}m black hole in Anti de Sitter space-time is investigated, using a set of independent parameters, such as charge Q, mass M and cosmological constant $\Lambda= -3/l^2$ of the space-time, and charge to mass ratio $\epsilon=q/m$ of the test particles. Classification of different spatial regions where circular motion is allowed, is presented, showing in particular, the presence of orbits at special limiting values, $M=4/\sqrt{6} Q$ and $l=6 Q$. Thermodynamically, these values are known to occur when the black hole is on the verge of a second order phase transition, there by, giving an interesting connection between thermodynamics and geodesics of black holes. We also comment on the possibility of such a connection for black holes in flat spacetime in a box.