Search results for "effective action"
showing 10 items of 34 documents
Fractal geometry of higher derivative gravity
2019
We determine the scaling properties of geometric operators such as lengths, areas, and volumes in models of higher derivative quantum gravity by renormalizing appropriate composite operators. We use these results to deduce the fractal dimensions of such hypersurfaces embedded in a quantum spacetime at very small distances.
Polyakov effective action from functional renormalization group equation
2010
We discuss the Polyakov effective action for a minimally coupled scalar field on a two dimensional curved space by considering a non-local covariant truncation of the effective average action. We derive the flow equation for the form factor in $\int\sqrt{g}R c_{k}(\Delta)R$, and we show how the standard result is obtained when we integrate the flow from the ultraviolet to the infrared.
Frame covariant nonminimal multifield inflation
2017
We introduce a frame-covariant formalism for inflation of scalar-curvature theories by adopting a differential geometric approach which treats the scalar fields as coordinates living on a field-space manifold. This ensures that our description of inflation is both conformally and reparameterization covariant. Our formulation gives rise to extensions of the usual Hubble and potential slow-roll parameters to generalized fully frame-covariant forms, which allow us to provide manifestly frame-invariant predictions for cosmological observables, such as the tensor-to-scalar ratio $r$, the spectral indices $n_{\cal R}$ and $n_T$, their runnings $\alpha_{\cal R}$ and $\alpha_T$, the non-Gaussianity…
A class of nonlocal truncations in quantum Einstein gravity and its renormalization group behavior
2002
Motivated by the conjecture that the cosmological constant problem could be solved by strong quantum effects in the infrared we use the exact flow equation of Quantum Einstein Gravity to determine the renormalization group behavior of a class of nonlocal effective actions. They consist of the Einstein-Hilbert term and a general nonlinear function F(k, V) of the Euclidean space-time volume V. A partial differential equation governing its dependence on the scale k is derived and its fixed point is analyzed. For the more restrictive truncation of theory space where F(k, V) is of the form V+V ln V, V+V^2, and V+\sqrt{V}, respectively, the renormalization group equations for the running coupling…
Weyl Invariance and Black Hole Evaporation
1995
We consider the semiclassical dynamics of CGHS black holes with a Weyl-invariant effective action for conformal matter. The trace anomaly of Polyakov effective action is converted into the Virasoro anomaly thus leading to the same flux of Hawking radiation. The covariance of semiclassical equations can be restored through a non-local redefinition of the metric-dilaton fields. The resulting theory turns out to be equivalent to the RST model. This provides a mechanism to solve semiclassical equations of 2D dilaton gravity coupled to conformal matter for classically soluble models.
One-loop effective action for a generic 2d dilaton gravity theory
1997
We study the one-loop effective action for a generic two-dimensional dilaton gravity theory conformally coupled to $N$ matter fields. We obtain an explicit expression for the effective action in the weak-coupling limit under a suitable restriction of the dilaton potential asymptotics. Our result applies to the CGHS model as well as to the spherically symmetric general relativity. The effective action is obtained by using the background-field method, and we take into account the loop contributions from all the fields in the classical action and from the ghosts. In the large-$N$ limit, and after an appropriate field redefinition, the one-loop correction takes the form of the Polyakov-Liouvill…
Connections and geodesics in the space of metrics
2015
We argue that the exponential relation $g_{\mu\nu} = \bar{g}_{\mu\rho}\big(\mathrm{e}^h\big)^\rho{}_\nu$ is the most natural metric parametrization since it describes geodesics that follow from the basic structure of the space of metrics. The corresponding connection is derived, and its relation to the Levi-Civita connection and the Vilkovisky-DeWitt connection is discussed. We address the impact of this geometric formalism on quantum gravity applications. In particular, the exponential parametrization is appropriate for constructing covariant quantities like a reparametrization invariant effective action in a straightforward way. Furthermore, we reveal an important difference between Eucli…
Renormalization group flow of the Holst action
2010
The renormalization group (RG) properties of quantum gravity are explored, using the vielbein and the spin connection as the fundamental field variables. The scale dependent effective action is required to be invariant both under space time diffeomorphisms and local frame rotations. The nonperturbative RG equation is solved explicitly on the truncated theory space defined by a three parameter family of Holst-type actions which involve a running Immirzi parameter. We find evidence for the existence of an asymptotically safe fundamental theory, probably inequivalent to metric quantum gravity constructed in the same way.
Induced scalar potentials for hypermultiplets
1997
Charged BPS hypermultiplets can develop a non-trivial self-interaction in the Coulomb branch of an N=2 supersymmetric gauge theory, whereas neutral BPS hypermultiplets in the Higgs branch may also have a non-trivial self-interaction in the presence of Fayet-Iliopoulos terms. The exact hypermultiplet low-energy effective action (LEEA) takes the form of the non-linear sigma-model (NLSM) with a hyper-K"ahler metric. A non-trivial scalar potential is also quantum-mechanically generated at non-vanishing central charges, either perturbatively (Coulomb branch), or non-perturbatively (Higgs branch). We calculate the effective scalar potentials for (i) a single charged hypermultiplet in the Coulomb …
Running Immirzi Parameter and Asymptotic Safety
2011
We explore the renormalization group (RG) properties of quantum gravity, using the vielbein and the spin connection as the fundamental field variables. We require the effective action to be invariant under the semidirect product of spacetime diffeomorphisms and local frame rotations. Starting from the corresponding functional integral we review the construction of an appropriate theory space and an exact funtional RG equation operating on it. We then solve this equation on a truncated space defined by a three parameter family of Holst-type actions which involve a running Immirzi parameter. We find evidence for the existence of an asymptotically safe fundamental theory. It is probably inequi…