Black Hole Spectrum, Horison Quantization and All That

Abstract

We discuss the possibility that quantum black holes have discrete mass spectrum. Different arguments leading to this conclusion are considered, particularly the decoupling between left and right sectors in string theory - the so-called heterotic principle. The case of a $2+1$ dimensional black holes is considered as an argument in favour of this argument. The possible connection between membrane model of the black hole horizon and topological membrane is briefly discussed.