scholarly journals Edge modes of gravity. Part I. Corner potentials and charges

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Freidel ◽  
Marc Geiller ◽  
Daniele Pranzetti

Abstract This is the first paper in a series devoted to understanding the classical and quantum nature of edge modes and symmetries in gravitational systems. The goal of this analysis is to: i) achieve a clear understanding of how different formulations of gravity provide non-trivial representations of different sectors of the corner symmetry algebra, and ii) set the foundations of a new proposal for states of quantum geometry as representation states of this corner symmetry algebra. In this first paper we explain how different formulations of gravity, in both metric and tetrad variables, share the same bulk symplectic structure but differ at the corner, and in turn lead to inequivalent representations of the corner symmetry algebra. This provides an organizing criterion for formulations of gravity depending on how big the physical symmetry group that is non-trivially represented at the corner is. This principle can be used as a “treasure map” revealing new clues and routes in the quest for quantum gravity. Building up on these results, we perform a detailed analysis of the corner pre-symplectic potential and symmetries of Einstein-Cartan-Holst gravity in [1], use this to provide a new look at the simplicity constraints in [2], and tackle the quantization in [3].

Universe ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. 107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Freidel ◽  
Alejandro Perez

We investigate the quantum geometry of a 2d surface S bounding the Cauchy slices of a 4d gravitational system. We investigate in detail for the first time the boundary symplectic current that naturally arises in the first-order formulation of general relativity in terms of the Ashtekar–Barbero connection. This current is proportional to the simplest quadratic form constructed out of the pull back to S of the triad field. We show that the would-be-gauge degrees of freedo arising from S U ( 2 ) gauge transformations plus diffeomorphisms tangent to the boundary are entirely described by the boundary 2-dimensional symplectic form, and give rise to a representation at each point of S of S L ( 2 , R ) × S U ( 2 ) . Independently of the connection with gravity, this system is very simple and rich at the quantum level, with possible connections with conformal field theory in 2d. A direct application of the quantum theory is modelling of the black horizons in quantum gravity.


2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (07) ◽  
pp. 1250032 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANCESCO CIANFRANI ◽  
GIOVANNI MONTANI

This papers offers a critical discussion on the procedure by which Loop Quantum Cosmology (LQC) is constructed from the full Loop Quantum Gravity (LQG) theory. Revising recent issues in preserving SU(2) symmetry when quantizing the isotropic Universe, we trace a new perspective in approaching the cosmological problem within quantum geometry. The cosmological sector of LQG is reviewed and a critical point of view on LQC is presented. It is outlined how a polymer-like scale for quantum cosmology can be predicted from a proper fundamental graph underlying the homogeneous and isotropic continuous picture. However, such a minimum scale does not coincide with the choice made in LQC. Finally, the perspectives towards a consistent cosmological LQG model based on such a graph structure are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (28) ◽  
pp. 1941004
Author(s):  
Laurent Freidel ◽  
Robert G. Leigh ◽  
Djordje Minic

We summarize our recent work on the foundational aspects of string theory as a quantum theory of gravity. We emphasize the hidden quantum geometry (modular spacetime) behind the generic representation of quantum theory and then stress that the same geometric structure underlies a manifestly T-duality covariant formulation of string theory, that we call metastring theory. We also discuss an effective non-commutative description of closed strings implied by intrinsic non-commutativity of closed string theory. This fundamental non-commutativity is explicit in the metastring formulation of quantum gravity. Finally we comment on the new concept of metaparticles inherent to such an effective non-commutative description in terms of bi-local quantum fields.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (08) ◽  
pp. 1642001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parampreet Singh

Quantum nature of classical flat Kasner spacetime is studied using effective spacetime description in loop quantum cosmology (LQC). We find that even though the spacetime curvature vanishes at the classical level, nontrivial quantum gravitational effects can arise. For the standard loop quantization of Bianchi-I spacetime, which uniquely yields universal bounds on expansion and shear scalars and results in a generic resolution of strong singularities, we find that a flat Kasner metric is not a physical solution of the effective spacetime description, except in a limit. The lack of a flat Kasner metric at the quantum level results from a novel feature of the loop quantum Bianchi-I spacetime: quantum geometry induces nonvanishing spacetime curvature components, making it not Ricci flat even when no matter is present. The noncurvature singularity of the classical flat Kasner spacetime is avoided, and the effective spacetime transits from a flat Kasner spacetime in asymptotic future, to a Minkowski spacetime in asymptotic past. Interestingly, for an alternate loop quantization which does not share some of the fine features of the standard quantization, flat Kasner spacetime with expected classical features exists. In this case, even with nontrivial quantum geometric effects, the spacetime curvature vanishes. These examples show that the character of even a flat classical vacuum spacetime can alter in a fundamental way in quantum gravity and is sensitive to the quantization procedure.


2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Fernando Barbero G. ◽  
Rui Loja Fernandes ◽  
Roger Picken

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Tuong Trong Truong

Among the few exactly solvable problems in theoretical physics, the 2D (two-dimensional) Newtonian free fall problem in Euclidean space is perhaps the least known as compared to the harmonic oscillator or the Kepler–Coulomb problems. The aim of this article is to revisit this problem at the classical level as well as the quantum level, with a focus on its dynamical symmetries. We show how these dynamical symmetries arise as a special limit of the dynamical symmetries of the Kepler–Coulomb problem, and how a connection to the quartic anharmonic oscillator problem, a long-standing unsolved problem in quantum mechanics, can be established. To this end, we construct the Hilbert space of states with free boundary conditions as a space of square integrable functions that have a special functional integral representation. In this functional space, the free fall dynamical symmetry algebra is shown to be isomorphic to the so-called Klink’s algebra of the quantum quartic anharmonic oscillator problem. Furthermore, this connection entails a remarkable integral identity for the quantum quartic anharmonic oscillator eigenfunctions, which implies that these eigenfunctions are in fact zonal functions of an underlying symmetry group representation. Thus, an appropriate representation theory for the 2D Newtonian free fall quantum symmetry group may potentially open the way to exactly solving the difficult quantization problem of the quartic anharmonic oscillator. Finally, the initial value problem of the acoustic Klein–Gordon equation for wave propagation in a sound duct with a varying circular section is solved as an illustration of the techniques developed here.


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