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Matrix model proposal for quantum gravity and the quantum mechanics of black holes

Chong-Sun Chu

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Phys. Rev. D 112, 066001 – Published 3 September, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/l7cq-tx4g

Abstract

We propose a quantum mechanical theory of quantum spaces described by large N noncommutative geometry as a model for quantum gravity. The model admits a fuzzy sphere as a static solution. Over the fuzzy geometry, the quantum mechanics of the fermions is given by a sum of oscillators with equal frequency. The energy state where exactly half of the Fermi sea is filled contains the maximal amount of degeneracy. This state of the fuzzy sphere obeys the mass-radius relation of a Schwarzschild black hole if the fuzzy sphere is identified with the black hole horizon. Moreover, the set of states in the Fermi sea gives precisely the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy. We thus propose that quantum black holes are described by fuzzy spheres with a half-filled Fermi sea in our model. We also consider a system of two fuzzy spheres by embedding them as blocks in the matrix quantum mechanics. When the distance r between the two fuzzy spheres is small, the total energy of the system can be computed using perturbation theory. We show that, in the leading order of large N limit, the interaction energy depends on −GM1M2 exactly in the manner as in Newton gravity. To reproduce the correct r dependence in the long range, we expect the inclusion of large N corrections and quantum effects will be needed.

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Phys. Rev. D 112, 066001– Published 3 September, 2025
  • Received 25 June 2024
  • Accepted 9 August 2025
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI. Funded by SCOAP3.

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