Exponential corrections to black hole entropy

Abstract

Using the quasilocal properties alone we show that the area spectrum of a black hole horizon must be discrete, independent of any specific quantum theory of gravity. The area spectrum is found to be half-integer spaced with values $8\pi \gamma \ell_{p}^{2}j$ where $j\in \mathbb{N}/2$. We argue that if microstate counting is carried out for quantum states residing on the horizon only, correction of $\exp(-\mathcal{A}/4\ell_{p}^{2})$ over the Bekenstein-Hawking area law must arise in black hole entropy.