# An Infalling Observer and Behind the Horizon Cutoff

### Submission summary

 As Contributors: Mohsen Alishahiha Preprint link: scipost_201910_00014v1 Date submitted: 2019-10-14 Submitted by: Alishahiha, Mohsen Submitted to: SciPost Physics Discipline: Physics Subject area: High-Energy Physics - Theory Approach: Theoretical

### Abstract

Using Papadodimas and Raju construction of operators describing the interior of a black hole, we present a general relation between partition functions of operators describing inside and outside the black hole horizon. In particular for an eternal black hole the partition function of the interior modes may be given in terms those partition functions associated with the modes of left and right exteriors. By making use of this relation we observe that setting a finite UV cutoff will enforce us to have a cutoff behind the horizon whose value is fixed by the UV cutoff. The resultant cutoff is in agreement with what obtained in the context of holographic complexity.

### Ontology / Topics

See full Ontology or Topics database.

###### Current status:
Has been resubmitted

### Submission & Refereeing History

Resubmission scipost_201910_00014v2 on 1 November 2019
Submission scipost_201910_00014v1 on 14 October 2019

## Reports on this Submission

### Anonymous Report 1 on 2019-10-28 Invited Report

• Cite as: Anonymous, Report on arXiv:scipost_201910_00014v1, delivered 2019-10-28, doi: 10.21468/SciPost.Report.1267

### Strengths

1- Clear and easy to read
2-Simple example to study the physics in which they are interested
3-Conclusions make sense given assumptions

### Weaknesses

1- Not clear how meaningful gravity theory in AdS with finite cutoff is (see report) and does not discuss issues with finite cutoff theories and proposals to get around these issues.

### Report

This paper considers the implications of defining AdS gravity with a hard cutoff at large-radius to physics behind the horizon. The motivation stems in principle from the $T\bar{T}$ deformation which was originally stated to be dual to an AdS theory with finite radial cutoff. The authors conclude, by studying generalized free fields in the bulk, that this would imply a finite radial cutoff inside the horizon, by consistency.

The authors make a strong case for why the assumption of a radial cutoff at infinity implies a cutoff behind the horizon. I am however a bit wary of defining quantum gravity in a theory with Dirichlet conditions at finite radial cutoff, in particular because because the classical and quantum perturbation theory is not well defined (see e.g. 1805.11559 for a discussion) as there are linearized instabilities. Furthermore, it has recently been argued (see 1906.11251) that $T\bar{T}$ may be better understood as a theory with mixed boundary conditions at infinity.

I am fully aware that a large number of papers are being published on the subject of these Dirichlet conditions in AdS. I feel strongly, however, that each paper should have a discussion on the conceptual issues with such theories.

### Requested changes

1- Discussion of the interest in finite cutoff AdS theories and their physical meaning would be beneficial to the paper.
2- (minor) An explanation around equation (14) as to why the proportionality coefficient should be independent of the cutoff. This should not alter the final conclusion, as far as I understand.

• validity: good
• significance: good
• originality: high
• clarity: top
• formatting: perfect
• grammar: good