13 Loop quantum gravity and exploding black holes

Abstract

Black holes are one of the most fascinating objects populating the universe. According to classical general relativity, they are eternal and can only grow bigger in time. Hawking was the first to show that taking quantum effects into account can change the picture, leading to a slow evaporation of black holes by quantum thermal radiation. This theoretical phenomenon, yet to be observed, raises crucial conceptual and technical questions aimed at any fundamental theory of quantum gravity. Among these, the famous information-loss paradox. I will present two different hypothesis to address these questions: a more conservative one, based on modified Einstein’s equations and non-singular black holes; and a more speculative one, based on loop quantum gravity and exploding black holes, which may also lead to interesting observational consequences.