Transport and response coefficients in the blackfold approach

Abstract

The blackfold approach is an effective theory for higher dimensional black holes. In this approach, black holes are described as materials: they are characterised by speeds of sound, viscosities and elastic moduli. These can be computed from first principles in general relativity by generalising techniques developed in AdS/CFT contexts. Apart from its intrinsic interest, this approach is a dramatic simplification of the Einstein equations that can be used to tackle important open problems of higher dimensional gravity.