Thermodynamic structure of a generic null surface and the zeroth law in scalar-tensor theory

Abstract

We show that the equation of motion of scalar-tensor theory acquires thermodynamic identity when projected on a generic null surface. The relevant projection is given by $E_{ab}l^ak^b$, where $E_{ab} =8\pi T_{ab}^{(m)}$ represents the equation motion for gravitational field in presence of external matter, $l^a$ is the generator of the null surface and $k^a$ is the corresponding auxiliary null vector. Our analysis is done completely in a covariant way. Therefore all the thermodynamic quantities are in covariant form and hence can be used for any specific form of metric adapted to a null surface. We show this both in Einstein and Jordan frames and find that these two frames provide equivalent thermodynamic quantities. This is consistent with the previous findings for a Killing horizon. Also, a concrete proof of the zeroth law in scalar-tensor theory is provided when the null surface is defined by a Killing vector.