Search results for "quantum gravity"
showing 10 items of 126 documents
Is There a C-Function in 4D Quantum Einstein Gravity?
2016
We describe a functional renormalization group-based method to search for ‘C-like’ functions with properties similar to that in 2D conformal field theory. It exploits the mode counting properties of the effective average action and is particularly suited for theories including quantized gravity. The viability of the approach is demonstrated explicitly in a truncation of 4 dimensional Quantum Einstein Gravity, i.e. asymptotically safe metric gravity.
New solutions of the hamiltonian and diffeomorphism constraints of quantum gravity from a highest weight loop representation
1991
Abstract We introduce a highest weight type representation of the Rovelli-Smolin algebra of loop observables for quantum gravity. In terms of this representation, new solutions of the hamiltonian and diffeomorphism constraints are given. Assuming the locality of the quantum hamiltonian constraint we show that any functional depending on the generalized link class of the disjoint union of arbitrary simple loops is a solution. Finally we argue that this is the general solution in the irreducible representation space.
A simple microsuperspace model in 2 + 1 spacetime dimensions
1992
Abstract We quantize the closed Friedmann model in 2 + 1 spacetime dimensions using euclidean path-integral approach and a simple microsuperspace model. A relationship between integration measure and operator ordering in the Wheeler-DeWitt equation is found within our model. Solutions to the Wheeler-DeWitt equation are exactly reproduced from the path integral using suitable integration contours in the complex plane.
The Quantum Scalar Field in Spherically Symmetric Loop Quantum Gravity
2013
We consider the quantization of a spherically symmetric gravitational system coupled to a massless scalar field within the loop quantum gravity framework. Our results rely on the uniform discretizations method developed during the last years. We minimize the associated discrete “master constraint” using a trial state whose gravitational part is peaked around the classical Schwarzschild solution.
The Palatini Approach Beyond Einstein’s Gravity
2014
I review recent results obtained for extensions of general relativity formulated within the Palatini formalism, an approach in which metric and connection are treated as independent geometrical entities. The peculiar dynamics of these theories, governed by second-order equations and having no new degrees of freedom, makes them specially suitable to address certain aspects of quantum gravity phenomenology, construct nonsingular bouncing cosmologies, and explore black hole interiors, which in the Reissner-Nordstrom case develop a compact core of finite density instead of a point-like singularity.
Geometric operators in the asymptotic safety scenario for quantum gravity
2019
We consider geometric operators, such as the geodesic length and the volume of hypersurfaces, in the context of the Asymptotic Safety scenario for quantum gravity. We discuss the role of these operators from the Asymptotic Safety perspective, and compute their anomalous dimensions within the Einstein-Hilbert truncation. We also discuss certain subtleties arising in the definition of such geometric operators. Our results hint to an effective dimensional reduction of the considered geometric operators.
R2phase diagram of quantum Einstein gravity and its spectral dimension
2012
Within the gravitational asymptotic safety program, the renormalization group (RG) flow of the ${R}^{2}$ truncation in three and four spacetime dimensions is analyzed in detail. In particular, we construct RG trajectories which emanate from the non-Gaussian UV fixed point and possess long classical regimes where the effective average action is well approximated by the classical Einstein-Hilbert action. As an application we study the spectral dimension of the effective quantum Einstein gravity spacetimes resulting from these trajectories, establishing that the picture of a multifractal spacetime is robust under the extension of the truncated theory space. We demonstrate that regimes of const…
Revisiting the quantum scalar field in spherically symmetric quantum gravity
2012
We extend previous results in spherically symmetric gravitational systems coupled with a massless scalar field within the loop quantum gravity framework. As starting point, we take the Schwarzschild spacetime. The results presented here rely on the uniform discretization method. We are able to minimize the associated discrete master constraint using a variational method. The trial state for the vacuum consists of a direct product of a Fock vacuum for the matter part and a Gaussian centered around the classical Schwarzschild solution. This paper follows the line of research presented by Gambini, Pullin and Rastgoo and a comparison between their result and the one given in this work is made.
Quantum gravity with torsion and non-metricity
2015
We study the renormalization of theories of gravity with an arbitrary (torsionful and non-metric) connection. The class of actions we consider is of the Palatini type, including the most general terms with up to two derivatives of the metric, but no derivatives of the connection. It contains 19 independent parameters. We calculate the one loop beta functions of these parameters and find their fixed points. The Holst subspace is discussed in some detail and found not to be stable under renormalization. Some possible implications for ultraviolet and infrared gravity are discussed.
Synchrotron Radiation from the Crab Nebula Discriminates between Models of Space-Time Foam
2003
It has been argued by Jacobson, Liberati and Mattingly that synchrotron radiation from the Crab Nebula imposes a stringent constraint on any modification of the dispersion relations of the electron that might be induced by quantum gravity. We supplement their analysis by deriving the spectrum of synchrotron radiation from the coupling of an electrically-charged particle to an external magnetic fields in the presence of quantum-gravity effects of the general form $(E/M_{QG})^\alpha$. We find that the synchrotron constraint from the Crab Nebula practically excludes $\alpha \lsim 1.74$ for $M_{QG} \sim m_P = 1.2 \times 10^{19}$ GeV. On the other hand, this analysis does not constrain any modif…