The subject of this thesis is the description of quantum black holes as a way to probe quantum gravity. Scenarios of a lower Planck scale make quantum gravity experimentally approachable, therefore a theoretical framework is needed in order to be able to probe quantum gravitational effects. We present a field theoretical formalism for the treatment of quantum black holes and their interactions with particles of the Standard Model. We examine the properties and assumptions governing quantum black holes and develop a methodology to examine their behavior using quantum field theory language. We apply our formalism in several different cases and calculate the cross sections for the production of quantum black holes. We use our results to gain phenomenological insights to quantum gravity, such as the derivation of bounds for the Planck mass from Standard Model processes. The distinction between a continuous and a discrete mass spectrum, for a quantum black hole, is discussed and the relevant cross sections presented. Finally, we use quantum black holes as a gateway to supersymmetry and calculate the branching ratios for the decay of quantum black holes into supersymmetric particles.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:606050 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Fragkakis, Dionysios |
| Publisher | University of Sussex |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/48821/ |
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