Black hole entropy from trace dynamics and non-commutative geometry

Abstract: Spontaneous localisation is a falsifiable, phenomenological, mechanism for explaining the absence of macroscopic position superpositions, currently being tested for in the laboratory. The theory of trace dynamics provides a possible theoretical origin for spontaneous localisation. We have recently proposed how to employ non-commutative geometry to include gravity in trace dynamics, and suggested the emergence of classical space-time geometry via spontaneous localisation. In our theory, which we call non-commutative matter gravity, a black hole arises from the spontaneous localisation of an entangled state of a large number of `atoms of space-time-matter [STM]'. Prior to localisation, the non-commutative curvature of an STM atom is described by the spectral action of non-commutative geometry. By using the techniques of statistical thermodynamics from trace dynamics, we show that the gravitational entropy of a Schwarzschild black hole results from the microstates of the entangled STM atoms and is given (subject to certain assumptions) by the classical Euclidean gravitational action. This action, in turn, equals the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy (Area/$4{L_P}^2$) of the black hole. We argue that spontaneous localisation is related to black-hole evaporation through the fluctuation-dissipation theorem.