  The assimilation of a quantum (finite size) particle by a
Reissner-Nordstr\"om black hole inevitably involves an increase in the
black-hole surface area. It is shown that this increase can be minimized if one
considers the capture of the lightest charged particle in nature. The
unavoidable area increase is attributed to two physical reasons: the Heisenberg
quantum uncertainty principle and a Schwinger-type charge emission (vacuum
polarization). The fundamental lower bound on the area increase is $4 \hbar$,
which is smaller than the value given by Bekenstein for neutral particles.
Thus, this process is a better approximation to a reversible process in
black-hole physics. The universality of the minimal area increase is a further
evidence in favor of a uniformly spaced area spectrum for spherical quantum
black holes. Moreover, this universal value is in excellent agreement with the
area spacing predicted by Mukhanov and Bekenstein and independently by Hod.

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology;High Energy Physics - Theory