Zum Verdampfen und anderen Eigenschaften Schwarzer Löcher

After a short discussion of the basic properties of black-hole physics, including the “no-hair” theorems, the hypothesis of the “cosmic censor” and the first and second law of black-hole dynamics, we proceed to the thermodynamics of black holes. The concepts of entropy and temperature of a black hole are explained and the generalized second law of black-hole dynamics is presented. We then discuss particle creation in the gravitational fields of black holes and their lifetime due to evaporation. After a digression on chaotic cosmology the possible formation of black holes in the early universe is treated. Finally we discuss the last violent stages of the evaporation process of black holes and possible observational tests. A few remarks on white holes — though a totally different phenomenon — are included at the end for the sake of clarity.