Obstructions on the horizon geometry from string theory corrections to Einstein gravity

Abstract

Higher dimensional Einstein gravity in vacuum admits static black hole solutions with an Einstein manifold of non constant curvature as a horizon. This gives a much richer family of static black holes than in four dimensional GR. However, as we show in this paper, the Gauss-Bonnet string theory correction to Einstein gravity poses severe limitations on the geometry of a horizon Einstein manifold. The additional stringy constraints rule out most of the known examples of exotic black holes with a horizon of non constant curvature.