Generalized Quantum Theory in Evaporating Black Hole Spacetimes

Abstract

Quantum mechanics for matter fields moving in an evaporating black hole spacetime is formulated in fully four-dimensional form according to the principles of generalized quantum theory. The resulting quantum theory cannot be expressed in a 3+1 form in terms of a state evolving unitarily or by reduction through a foliating family of spacelike surfaces. That is because evaporating black hole geometries cannot be foliated by a non-singular family of spacelike surfaces. A four-dimensional notion of information is reviewed. Although complete information may not be available on every spacelike surface, information is not lost in a spacetime sense in an evaporating black hole spacetime. Rather complete information is distributed about the four-dimensional spacetime. Black hole evaporation is thus not in conflict with the principles of quantum mechanics when suitably generally stated. (Talk presented at Black Holes and Relativistic Stars: A Symposium in Honor of S. Chandrasekhar, Chicago, Dec 14-15,1996.)