Corbeel, Aude and De Haro, Sebastian (2025) Black Holes are about Quantum Information. [Preprint]

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Abstract

We review and analyse, with a philosophical readership in mind, recent quantum information-theoretic approaches to black hole evaporation that purport to bring us closer to a resolution of the black hole information paradox. Our focus is on a precise version of the paradox, called the ‘Page time paradox,’ and on how it is addressed in the models first proposed by Page and later developed by Hayden and Preskill. In these models, the black hole is taken to be a finite-dimensional quantum system whose dynamics is represented by a quantum circuit, and its communication abilities are studied. We identify the assumptions underlying this modelling and highlight the two key features, fast scrambling dynamics and entanglement as a resource, that underpin the expectation that the Page time paradox can be resolved.
This quantum information-theoretic reasoning exemplifies a broader change in how black holes are conceived within fundamental physics, captured by the slogan ‘Black holes are about quantum information.’ This slogan reflects a conceptual and methodological perspective where quantum information theory is employed to answer precise questions about black holes, particularly concerning their role in transmitting quantum information. We argue that this application of information theory avoids earlier philosophical objections and marks a significant advancement in the discussion of the black hole information paradox. As such, this line of reasoning has become central to the debate and warrants greater attention from the philosophy of physics community.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Corbeel, Aude De Haro, Sebastian s.deharo@uva.nl 0000-0002-3000-5967
Keywords:	Black hole information paradox, Page time paradox, Hayden–Preskill model, Quantum information theory, Scrambling, Quantum communication
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Computer Science Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity
Depositing User:	Ms. Aude Corbeel
Date Deposited:	05 Dec 2025 13:39
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2025 13:39
Item ID:	27365
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Computer Science Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity
Date:	4 December 2025
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/27365

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