A note on circular geodesics and phase transitions of black holes

Abstract

The circular motion of charged test particles in the gravitational field of a Reissner-Nordström black hole in Anti de Sitter space-time is investigated, using a set of independent parameters, such as charge Q, mass M and cosmological constant Λ=−3/l2 of the space-time, and charge to mass ratio ϵ=q/μ of the test particles. Classification of different spatial regions where circular motion is allowed, is presented, showing in particular, the presence of orbits at special limiting values, M=4/6Q and l=6Q. Thermodynamically, these values are known to occur when the black hole is on the verge of a second order phase transition, there by, giving an interesting connection between thermodynamics and geodesics of black holes. We also comment on the possibility of such a connection for black holes in flat spacetime in a box. Keywords: Circular geodesics, Phase transitions, Charged black holes in AdS, Black holes in a box