# Loop-and-allied QG bibliography

1. May 25, 2017

### atyy

https://arxiv.org/abs/1705.08581
The ıε prescription in the SYK model
Razvan Gurau
(Submitted on 24 May 2017)
We introduce an ıϵ prescription for the SYK model both at finite and at zero temperature. This prescription regularizes all the naive ultraviolet divergences of the model. As expected, the prescription breaks the conformal invariance, but the latter is restored in the ϵ→0 limit. We prove rigorously that in the limit ϵ→0 the Schwinger Dyson equation of the resummed two point at low momentum is recovered.

2. May 26, 2017

### MTd2

https://arxiv.org/abs/1705.09030

Einstein Equation from Covariant Loop Quantum Gravity and Semiclassical Continuum Limit
Muxin Han
(Submitted on 25 May 2017)
In this paper we explain how 4-dimensional general relativity and in particular, the Einstein equation, emerge from the spinfoam amplitude in loop quantum gravity. We propose a new limit which couples both the semiclassical limit and continuum limit of spinfoam amplitudes. The continuum Einstein equation emerges in this limit. Solutions of Einstein equation can be approached by dominant configurations in spinfoam amplitudes. A running scale is naturally associated to the sequence of refined triangulations. The continuum limit corresponds to the infrared limit of the running scale. An important ingredient in the derivation is a regularization for the sum over spins, which is necessary for the semiclassical continuum limit. We also explain in this paper the role played by the so-called flatness in spinfoam formulation, and how to take advantage of it.

3. May 26, 2017

### atyy

https://arxiv.org/abs/1705.09141
Immirzi parameter without Immirzi ambiguity: Conformal loop quantization of scalar-tensor gravity
Olivier J. Veraguth, Charles H.-T. Wang
(Submitted on 25 May 2017)
Conformal loop quantum gravity provides an approach to loop quantization through an underlying conformal structure i.e. conformally equivalent class of metrics. The property that general relativity itself has no conformal invariance is reinstated with a constrained scalar field providing the physical scale. Conformally equivalent metrics have recently been shown to be amenable to loop quantization including matter coupling. It has been suggested that conformal geometry may provide an extended symmetry to allow a reformulated Immirzi parameter necessary for loop quantization to behave like an arbitrary group parameter that requires no further fixing as its present standard form does. In this work, we find that this can be naturally realized via conformal frame transformations in scalar-tensor gravity. Such a theory generally incorporates a dynamical scalar gravitational field and reduces to general relativity when the scalar field becomes a pure gauge. Specifically, we introduce a "conformal Einstein frame" in which loop quantization is implemented and demonstrate that different Immirzi parameters under this description are associated with different conformal frames related by a global conformal transformation. Nevertheless, they share the same quantization having, for example, the same area gaps, modulated by the scalar gravitational field.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1705.09208
What are we missing in our search for quantum gravity?
Lee Smolin
(Submitted on 25 May 2017)
Some reflections are presented on the state of the search for a quantum theory of gravity. I discuss diverse regimes of possible quantum gravitational phenomenon, some well explored, some novel.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1705.08959
Gravity from Quantum Spacetime by Twisted Deformation of the Quantum Poincaré Group
Cesar A. Aguillón, Albert Much, Marcos Rosenbaum, J. David Vergara
(Submitted on 24 May 2017)
We investigate a quantum geometric space in the context of what could be considered an emerging effective theory from Quantum Gravity. Specifically we consider a two-parameter class of twisted Poincar\'e algebras, from which Lie-algebraic noncommutativities of the translations are derived as well as associative star-products, deformed Riemannian geometries, Lie-algebraic twisted Minkowski spaces and quantum effects that arise as noncommutativities. Starting from a universal differential algebra of forms based on the above mentioned Lie-algebraic noncommutativities of the translations, we construct the noncommutative differential forms and Inner and Outer derivations, which are the noncommutative equivalents of the vector fields in the case of commutative differential geometry. Having established the essentials of this formalism we construct a bimodule, required to be central under the action of the Inner derivations in order to have well defined contractions and from where the algebraic dependence of its coefficients is derived. This again then defines the noncommutative equivalent of the geometrical line-element in commutative differential geometry. We stress, however, that even though the components of the twisted metric are by construction symmetric in their algebra valuation, this is not so for their inverse and thus to construct it we made use of Gel'fand's theory of quasi-determinants, which is conceptually straightforward but computationally becoming quite complicate beyond an algebra of 3 generators. The consequences of the noncommutativity of the Lie-algebra twisted geometry are further discussed.

Last edited: May 26, 2017
4. May 29, 2017

### kodama

Loop Quantum Gravity in the Momentum Representation
W. F. Chagas-Filho
(Submitted on 26 May 2017)
We present a generalization of the first-order formalism used to describe the dynamics of a classical system. The generalization is then applied to the first-order action that describes General Relativity. As a result we obtain equations that can be interpreted as describing quantum gravity in the momentum representation.
Subjects: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
Cite as: arXiv:1705.09471 [gr-qc]

5. May 30, 2017

### kodama

No alternative to proliferation
Daniele Oriti
(Submitted on 27 May 2017)
We reflect on the nature, role and limits of non-empirical theory assessment in fundamental physics, focusing in particular on quantum gravity. We argue for the usefulness and, to some extent, necessity of non-empirical theory assessment, but also examine critically its dangers. We conclude that the principle of proliferation of theories is not only at the very root of theory assessment but all the more necessary when experimental tests are scarce, and also that, in the same situation, it represents the only medicine against the degeneration of scientific research programmes.
Comments: 15 pages; contribution to the volume "Why trust a theory?", edited by: R. Dardashti, R. Dawid, K. Thebault, to be published by Cambridge University Press
Subjects: History and Philosophy of Physics (physics.hist-ph); General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc); High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th)
Cite as: arXiv:1705.09858 [physics.hist-ph]

6. May 31, 2017

### kodama

Renormalization and Coarse-graining of Loop Quantum Gravity
Christoph Charles
(Submitted on 31 May 2017)
The continuum limit of loop quantum gravity is still an open problem. Indeed, no proper dynamics in known to start with and we still lack the mathematical tools to study its would-be continuum limit. In the present PhD dissertation, we will investigate some coarse-graining methods that should become helpful in this enterprise. We concentrate on two aspects of the theory's coarse-graining: finding natural large scale observables on one hand and studying how the dynamics of varying graphs could be cast onto fixed graphs on the other hand.
To determine large scale observables, we study the case of hyperbolic tetrahedra and their natural description in a language close to loop quantum gravity. The surface holonomies in particular play an important role. This highlights the structure of double spin networks, which consist in a graph and its dual, which seems to also appear in works from Freidel et al. To solve the problem of varying graphs, we consider and define loopy spin networks. They encode the local curvature with loops around an effective vertex and allow to describe different graphs by hidding them in a coarse-graining process. Moreover, their definition gives a natural procedure for coarse-graining allowing to relate different scales.
Together, these two results constitute the foundation of a coarse-graining programme for diffeomorphism invariant theories.
Comments: PhD Thesis, Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon, 303pages, many figures
Subjects: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
Cite as: arXiv:1705.10984 [gr-qc]
(or arXiv:1705.10984v1 [gr-qc] for this version)

7. Jun 2, 2017

### atyy

The continuum approach to the BF vacuum: the U(1) case
Patryk Drobiński, Jerzy Lewandowski
(Submitted on 27 May 2017)
A quantum representation of holonomies and exponentiated fluxes of a U(1) gauge theory that contains the Pullin-Dittrich-Geiller (DG) vacuum is presented and discussed. Our quantization is performed manifestly in a continuum theory, without any discretization. The discretness emerges on the quantum level as a property of the spectrum of the quantum holonomy operators. The new type of a cylindrical consistency present in the DG approach, now follows easily and naturally. A generalization to the non--Abelian case seems not difficult.
Subjects: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
Cite as: arXiv:1705.09836 [gr-qc]

8. Jun 9, 2017

### kodama

Diffeomorphism invariant cosmological sector in loop quantum gravity
Christopher Beetle, Jonathan Steven Engle, Matthew Ernest Hogan, Phillip Mendonca
(Submitted on 8 Jun 2017)
In this paper we work out in detail a new proposal to define rigorously a sector of loop quantum gravity at the diffeomorphism invariant level corresponding to homogeneous and isotropic cosmologies, and propose how to compare in detail the physics of this sector with that of loop quantum cosmology. The key technical steps we have completed are (a) to formulate conditions for homogeneity and isotropy in a diffeomorphism covariant way on the classical phase space of general relativity, and (b) to translate these conditions consistently using well-understood techniques to loop quantum gravity. To impose the symmetry at the quantum level, on both the connection and its conjugate momentum, the method used necessarily has similiarities to the Gupta-Bleuler method of quantizing the electromagnetic field. Lastly, a strategy for embedding states of loop quantum cosmology into this new homogeneous isotropic sector, and using this embedding to compare the physics, is presented.
Subjects: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
Cite as: arXiv:1706.02424 [gr-qc]
(or arXiv:1706.02424v1 [gr-qc] for this version)

9. Jun 27, 2017

### kodama

Pulsations of a black hole in loop quantum gravity
Changjun Gao, Youjun Lu, You-Gen Shen, Valerio Faraoni
(Submitted on 24 Jun 2017)
The Hawking-Penrose singularity theorem states that a singularity forms inside a black hole in general relativity. To remove this singularity one must resort to a more fundamental theory. Using the corrected dynamical equation of loop quantum cosmology and braneworld models, we study the gravitational collapse of a perfect fluid sphere with a rather general equation of state. In the frame of an observer comoving with this fluid, the sphere pulsates between a maximum and a minimum size, avoiding the singularity. The exterior geometry is also constructed. There are usually {an outer and an inner apparent horizon}, resembling the Reissner-Nordstr\"om situation. For a distant observer the {horizon} crossing occurs in an infinite time and the pulsations of the black hole quantum "beating heart" are completely unobservable. However, it may be observable if the black hole is not spherical symmetric and radiates gravitational wave due to the quadrupole moment, if any.
Subjects: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc); Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics (astro-ph.CO); High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th)
Cite as: arXiv:1706.08009 [gr-qc]

10. Jun 30, 2017

### atyy

https://arxiv.org/abs/1706.09833
Cosmological Effective Hamiltonian from full Loop Quantum Gravity Dynamics
Andrea Dapor, Klaus Liegener
(Submitted on 29 Jun 2017)
The concept of effective dynamics has proven successful in LQC, the cosmological sector of LQG. We apply the same idea in the full theory, by computing the expectation value of the scalar constraint with respect to some coherent states peaked on the phase-space variables of flat Robertson-Walker spacetime. We comment on the relation with effective LQC and find a deviation stemming from the Lorentzian part of the Hamiltonian.

11. Jul 4, 2017

### kodama

Quantum Reduced Loop Gravity with matter: eigenvectors of the Hamiltonian operator in isotropic cosmology
Jakub Bilski, Suddhasattwa Brahma, Antonino Marciano
(Submitted on 30 Jun 2017)
Introducing a new method, we demonstrate how the action of reduced operators can be derived without resorting to a recoupling theory and how they exactly reproduce the results obtained in the standard approach of Quantum Reduced Loop Gravity (QRLG). This is particularly relevant while dealing with volume operator when dealing with the coupling of matter fields to gravity. Apart from reinforcing the close link between QRLG and loop quantum cosmology (LQC), this procedure also sheds new light on the issue of how to extract the continuum limit, without resorting to the large-jexpansion, thereby pointing towards a new approach to tackle this problem.
Subjects: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
Cite as: arXiv:1707.00065 [gr-qc]
(or arXiv:1707.00065v1 [gr-qc] for this version)

12. Jul 6, 2017

### kodama

2+1 homogeneous Loop Quantum Gravity with a scalar field clock
Jakub Bilski, Antonino Marciano
(Submitted on 3 Jul 2017 (v1), last revised 5 Jul 2017 (this version, v2))
We focus on three-dimensional QRLG with the purpose of shedding light on the link between reduced LQG and LQC in four space-time dimensions. Considering homogeneous three-dimensional LQG, the theory simplifies to QRLG. We then implement Thiemann's Quantum Spin Dynamics for Euclidean three-dimensional space-time in presence of a real scalar matter field. We deploy a polymer quantization of the scalar field while using methods of quantum reduced loop gravity. We compute the scalar Hamiltonian operator on the states of the kinematical Hilbert space of the theory, and exhibit its matrix elements that are derived using a new simplified method. The coupling to matter, which plays the role of a carrier of dynamics, opens the pathway to the study of phenomenological implications. We finally comment on the relations between three-dimensional QRLG and LQC, as well as on the appearance of the correspondence principle for the scalar field.
Subjects: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
Cite as: arXiv:1707.00723 [gr-qc]

13. Jul 21, 2017

### kodama

A new duality between Topological M-theory and Loop Quantum Gravity
(Submitted on 17 Jul 2017)
Inspired by the long wave-length limit of topological M-theory, which re-constructs the theory of 3+1D gravity in the self-dual variables' formulation, we conjecture the existence of a duality between Hilbert spaces, the H-duality, to unify topological M-theory and loop quantum gravity (LQG). By H-duality non-trivial gravitational holonomies of the kinematical Hilbert space of LQG correspond to space-like M-branes. The spinfoam approach captures the non-perturbative dynamics of space-like M-branes, and can be claimed to be dual to the S-branes foam. The Hamiltonian constraint dealt with in LQG is reinterpreted as a quantum superposition of SM-brane nucleations and decays.
Subjects: High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th)
Cite as: arXiv:1707.05347 [hep-th]

14. Jul 24, 2017

### kodama

Induced loop quantum cosmology on a brane via holography
C. A. S. Silva
(Submitted on 20 Jul 2017)
Based on the holographic principle, it is demonstrated that loop quantum Friedmann equations can be induced on a brane, corresponding to a strongly coupled string regime in the bulk, and have braneworld cosmology equations as its low energy limit. Such result can establish a possible connection between loop quantum gravity and string theory.
Subjects: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
Cite as: arXiv:1707.07586 [gr-qc]

15. Aug 7, 2017

### atyy

https://arxiv.org/abs/1708.01380
Kochen-Specker theorem revisited
Del Rajan (Victoria University of Wellington), Matt Visser (Victoria University of Wellington)
(Submitted on 4 Aug 2017)
The Kochen-Specker theorem is a basic and fundamental 50 year old non-existence result affecting the foundations of quantum mechanix, strongly implying the lack of any meaningful notion of "quantum realism", and typically leading to discussions of "contextuality" in quantum physics. Original proofs of the Kochen-Specker theorem proceeded via brute force counter-examples; often quite complicated and subtle (albeit mathematically "elementary") counter-examples. Only more recently have somewhat more "geometrical" proofs been developed. We present herein yet another simplified geometrical proof of the Kochen-Specker theorem, one that is valid for any number of dimensions, that minimizes the technical machinery involved, and makes the seriousness of the issues raised manifest.

16. Nov 19, 2017

### atyy

https://arxiv.org/abs/1708.07445
Towards the map of quantum gravity
Jakub Mielczarek, Tomasz Trześniewski
(Submitted on 24 Aug 2017 (v1), last revised 5 Oct 2017 (this version, v2))
In this paper we point out some possible links between different approaches to quantum gravity and theories of the Planck scale physics. In particular, connections between Loop Quantum Gravity, Causal Dynamical Triangulations, Ho\v{r}ava-Lifshitz gravity, Asymptotic Safety scenario, Quantum Graphity, deformations of relativistic symmetries and nonlinear phase space models are discussed. The main focus is on quantum deformations of the Hypersurface Deformations Algebra and Poincar\'{e} algebra, nonlinear structure of phase space, the running dimension of spacetime and nontrivial phase diagram of quantum gravity. We present an attempt to arrange the observed relations in the form of a graph, highlighting different aspects of quantum gravity. The analysis is performed in the spirit of a mind map, which represents the architectural approach to the studied theory, being a natural way to describe the properties of a complex system. We hope that the constructed graphs (maps) will turn out to be helpful in uncovering the global picture of quantum gravity as a particular complex system and serve as a useful guide for the researchers.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1708.07716
Extended Phase Space Analysis of Interacting Dark Energy Models in Loop Quantum Cosmology
Hmar Zonunmawia, Wompherdeiki Khyllep, Nandan Roy, Jibitesh Dutta, Nicola Tamanini
(Submitted on 25 Aug 2017)
The present work deals with the dynamical system investigation of interacting dark energy models (quintessence and phantom) in the framework of Loop Quantum Cosmology by taking into account a broad class of self-interacting scalar field potentials. The main reason for studying potentials beyond the exponential type is to obtain additional critical points which can yield more interesting cosmological solutions. The stability of critical points and the asymptotic behavior of the phase space are analyzed using dynamical system tools and numerical techniques. We study two class of interacting dark energy models and consider two specific potentials as examples: the hyperbolic potential and the inverse power-law potential. We found a rich and interesting phenomenology including the avoidance of big rip singularities due to loop quantum effects, smooth and non-linear transitions from matter domination to dark energy domination and finite periods of phantom domination with dynamical crossing of the phantom barrier.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1708.08667
A non-polynomial gravity formulation for Loop Quantum Cosmology bounce
Stefano Chinaglia, Aimeric Colleaux, Sergio Zerbini
(Submitted on 29 Aug 2017 (v1), last revised 5 Sep 2017 (this version, v2))
Recently the so-called mimetic gravity approach has been used to obtain corrections to Friedmann equation of General Relativity similar to the ones present in loop quantum cosmology. In this paper, we propose an alternative way to derive this modified Friedmann equation via the so-called non-polynomial gravity approach, which consists in adding geometric non-polynomial higher derivative terms to Hilbert-Einstein action, which are nonetheless polynomials and lead to second order differential equation in Friedmann-Lema\^itre-Robertson-Walker spacetimes. Our explicit action turns out to be a realization of the Helling proposal of effective action with infinite number of terms. The model is investigated also in presence of non vanishing cosmological constant and a new exact bounce solution is found and studied.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1709.03242
Noncommutativity in Effective Loop Quantum Cosmology
Abraham Espinoza-García (UPIIG-IPN, México), Efraín Torres-Lomas (UG, México)
(Submitted on 11 Sep 2017 (v1), last revised 12 Sep 2017 (this version, v2))
We construct two noncommutative extensions of the Loop Quantum Cosmology effective scheme for the open FLRW model with a standard scalar field with quadratic potential. Firstly, noncommutativity is implemented in the configuration sector only (among the holonomy variable and the matter degree of freedom). We show that this type of noncommutativity seems to retain key features of the Loop Quantum Cosmology paradigm for a free field; however, when considering the addition of a quadratic potential,this compatibility weakens regarding the trajectories followed by the scalar field. Secondly, noncommutativity is implemented in the momentum sector (among the momentum associated to the holonomy variable and the momentum associated to the matter field). In the free case, the only effect of this noncommutativity is that of making the volume function to grow faster, retaining key features of the Loop Quantum Cosmology paradigm. We show that, when considering a quadratic potential, this second kind of noncommutativity is more favored than the first one in regard to the trajectories followed by the scalar field.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1709.06331
Von-Neumann Stability and Singularity Resolution in Loop Quantized Schwarzschild Black Hole
Alec Yonika, Gaurav Khanna, Parampreet Singh
(Submitted on 19 Sep 2017)
Though loop quantization of several spacetimes has exhibited existence of a bounce via an explicit evolution of states using numerical simulations, the question about the black hole interior has remained open. To answer this question, it is important to first understand the stability of the quantum Hamiltonian constraint. We take first steps towards addressing these issues for a loop quantization of the Schwarzschild interior. The von-Neumann stability analysis is performed using separability of solutions as well as a full two dimensional quantum difference equation. This results in a condition which translates to stability for black holes which have a very large mass compared to the Planck mass. In addition, stability analysis leads to a constraint on the localization of the allowed states. With the caveat of using kinematical norm, Gaussian states are evolved using the quantum difference equation and singularity resolution is obtained. Bounce is found for one of the triad variables, but for the other triad variable singularity resolution amounts to a non-singular passage through the zero volume. States are found to be peaked at the classical trajectory for a long time before and after the singularity resolution, and retain their semi-classical character across the zero volume.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1709.08370
Random Invariant Tensors
Youning Li, Muxin Han, Dong Ruan, Bei Zeng
(Submitted on 25 Sep 2017)
Invariant tensors are states in the (local) SU(2) tensor product representation but invariant under global SU(2) action. They are of importance in the study of loop quantum gravity. A random tensor is an ensemble of tensor states. An average over the ensemble is carried out when computing any physical quantities. The random tensor exhibits a phenomenon of concentration of measure', saying that for any bipartition, the expected value of entanglement entropy of its reduced density matrix is asymptotically the maximal possible as the local dimension goes to infinity. This is also true even when the average is over the invariant subspace instead of the whole space for 4−valent tensors, although its entropy deficit is divergent. One might expect that for n≥5, n−valent random invariant tensor would behavior similarly. However, we show that, the expected entropy deficit of reduced density matrix of such n−valent random invariant tensor from maximum, is not divergent but a finite number. Under some special situation, the number could be even smaller than half a bit, which is the deficit of random pure state over the whole Hilbert space from maximum.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1709.08511
Intertwiner Entanglement on Spin Networks
Etera R. Livine
(Submitted on 25 Sep 2017)
In the context of quantum gravity, we clarify entanglement calculations on spin networks: we distinguish the gauge-invariant entanglement between intertwiners located at the nodes and the entanglement between spin states located on the network's links. We compute explicitly these two notions of entanglement between neighboring nodes and show that they are always related to the typical ln(2j+1) term depending on the spin j living on the link between them. This ln(2j+1) contribution comes from looking at non-gauge invariant states, thus we interpret it as gauge-breaking and unphysical. In particular, this confirms that pure spin network basis states do not carry any physical entanglement, so that true entanglement and correlations in loop quantum gravity comes from spin or intertwiner superpositions.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1709.08989
Simplicity constraints: a 3d toy-model for Loop Quantum Gravity
Christoph Charles
(Submitted on 26 Sep 2017)
In Loop Quantum Gravity, tremendous progress has been made using the Ashtekar-Barbero variables. These variables, defined in a gauge-fixing of the theory, correspond to a parametrization of the solutions of the so-called simplicity constraints. Their geometrical interpretation is however unsatisfactory as they do not constitute a space-time connection. It would be possible to resolve this point by using a full Lorentz connection or, equivalently, by using the self-dual Ashtekar variables. This leads however to simplicity constraints or reality conditions which are notoriously difficult to implement in the quantum theory.
We explore in this paper the possibility of imposing such constraints at the quantum level in the context of canonical quantization. To do so, we define a simpler model, in 3d, with similar constraints by extending the phase space to include an independent vielbein. We define the classical model and show that a precise quantum theory by gauge-unfixing can be defined out of it, completely equivalent to the standard 3d euclidean quantum gravity.
We discuss possible future explorations around this model as it could help as a stepping stone to define full-fledged covariant Loop Quantum Gravity.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1709.09806
The emergence of 3+1D Einstein gravity from topological gravity
Zheng-Cheng Gu
(Submitted on 28 Sep 2017)
Quantum field theory successfully explains the origin of all fundamental forces except gravity due to the renormalizability and ultraviolet(UV) completion puzzles. The ADS/CFT correspondence conjecture might naturally resolve the above two puzzles for ADS space gravity. In this paper, we propose a topological scenario to resolve the above two puzzles for generic cases(e.g., with or without cosmological constant term). First, we propose a 3+1D topological (quantum) gravity theory which is perturbatively renormalizable and potentially UV complete, this step can be regarded as a straightforward generalization of Edward Witten's Chern-Simons theory proposal for 2+1D topological gravity. Then, we show that Einstein-Cartan equation and classical space-time naturally emerge from topological (quantum) gravity via loop condensation. The second step is a unique feature in 3+1D and it might even naturally explain why our space-time is four dimensional. Experimentally measurable low energy predictions are also discussed.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1710.04015
Cosmological Coherent State Expectation Values in LQG I. Isotropic Kinematics
Andrea Dapor, Klaus Liegener
(Submitted on 11 Oct 2017)
This is the first paper of a series dedicated to LQG coherent states and cosmology. The concept is based on the effective dynamics program of Loop Quantum Cosmology, where the classical dynamics generated by the expectation value of the Hamiltonian on semiclassical states is found to be in agreement with the quantum evolution of such states. We ask the question of whether this expectation value agrees with the one obtained in the full theory. The answer is in the negative. This series of papers is dedicated to detailing the computations that lead to that surprising result. In the current paper, we construct the family of coherent states in LQG which represent flat (k=0) Robertson-Walker spacetimes, and present the tools needed to compute expectation values of polynomial operators in holonomy and flux on such states. These tools will be applied to the LQG Hamiltonian operator (in Thiemann regularization) in the second paper of the series. The third paper will present an extension to k≠0 cosmologies and a comparison with alternative regularizations of the Hamiltonian.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1710.04473
Entanglement entropy and correlations in loop quantum gravity
Alexandre Feller, Etera R. Livine
(Submitted on 12 Oct 2017)
Black hole entropy is one of the few windows toward the quantum aspects of gravitation and its study over the years have highlighted the holographic nature of gravity. At the non-perturbative level in quantum gravity, promising explanations are being explored in terms of the entanglement entropy between regions of space. In the context of loop quantum gravity, this translates into the analysis of the correlations between regions of the spin network states defining the quantum state of geometry of space. In this paper, we explore a class of states, motivated by results in condensed matter physics, satisfying an area law for entanglement entropy and having non-trivial correlations. We highlight that entanglement comes from holonomy operators acting on loops crossing the boundary of the region.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1710.06195
On the volume simplicity constraint in the EPRL spin foam model
(Submitted on 17 Oct 2017)
We propose a quantum version of the quadratic volume simplicity constraint for the EPRL spin foam model. It relies on a formula for the volume of 4-dimensional polyhedra, depending on its bivectors and the knotting class of its boundary graph. While this leads to no further condition for the 4-simplex, the constraint becomes non-trivial for more complicated boundary graphs. We show that, in the semi-classical limit of the hypercuboidal graph, the constraint turns into the geometricity condition observed recently by several authors.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.04991
Anomaly free cosmological perturbations with generalised holonomy correction in loop quantum cosmology
Yu Han, Molin Liu
(Submitted on 14 Nov 2017)
In the spatially flat case of loop quantum cosmology, the connection k¯ is usually replaced by the μ¯ holonomy sin(μ¯k)μ¯ in the effective theory. In this paper, instead of the μ¯ scheme, we use a generalised, undertermined function g(k¯,p¯) to represent the holonomy and by using the approach of anomaly free constraint algebra we fix all the counter terms in the constraints and find the restriction on the form of g(k¯,p¯), then we derive the gauge invariant equations of motion of the scalar, tensor and vector perturbations and study the inflationary power spectra with generalised holonomy corrections.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.05693
Connecting Loop Quantum Gravity and String Theory via Quantum Geometry
Deepak Vaid
(Submitted on 15 Nov 2017)
We argue that String Theory and Loop Quantum Gravity can be thought of as describing different regimes of a single unified theory of quantum gravity. LQG can be thought of as providing the pre-geometric exoskeleton out of which macroscopic geometry emerges and String Theory then becomes the \emph{effective} theory which describes the dynamics of that exoskeleton. The core of the argument rests on the claim that the Nambu-Goto action of String Theory can be viewed as the expectation value of the LQG area operator evaluated on the string worldsheet.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.05967
A Renormalizable SYK-type Tensor Field Theory
Joseph Ben Geloun, Vincent Rivasseau
(Submitted on 16 Nov 2017)
In this paper we introduce a simple field theoretic version of the Carrozza-Tanasa-Klebanov-Tarnopolsky (CTKT) "uncolored" holographic tensor model. It gives a more familiar interpretation to the previously abstract modes of the SYK or CTKT models in terms of momenta. We choose for the tensor propagator the usual Fermionic propagator of condensed matter, with a spherical Fermi surface, but keep the CTKT interactions. Hence our field theory can also be considered as an ordinary condensed matter model with a non-local and non-rotational invariant interaction. Using a multiscale analysis we prove that this field theory is just renormalizable to all orders of perturbation theory in the ultraviolet regime.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.06085
Gravity Induced Non-Local Effects in the Standard Model
S. O. Alexeyev, X. Calmet, B. N. Latosh
(Submitted on 16 Nov 2017)
We show that the non-locality recently identified in quantum gravity using resummation techniques propagates to the matter sector of the theory. We describe these non-local effects using effective field theory techniques. We derive the complete set of non-local effective operators at order NG2 for theories involving scalar, spinor, and vector fields. We then use recent data from the Large Hadron Collider to set a bound on the scale of space-time non-locality and find M⋆>3×10−11 GeV.

Last edited: Nov 20, 2017
17. Dec 3, 2017

### atyy

https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.08482
AdS2 holography and the SYK model
Gábor Sárosi
(Submitted on 22 Nov 2017)
These are lecture notes based on a series of lectures presented at the XIII Modave Summer School in Mathematical physics aimed at PhD students and young postdocs. The goal is to give an introduction to some of the recent developments in understanding holography in two bulk dimensions, and its connection to microscopics of near extremal black holes. The first part reviews the motivation to study, and the problems (and their interpretations) with holography for AdS2 spaces. The second part is about the Jackiw-Teitelboim theory and nearly-AdS2 spaces. The third part introduces the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev model, reviews some of the basic calculations and discusses what features make the model exciting.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.08470
Propagators for gauge-invariant observables in cosmology
Markus B. Fröb, William C. C. Lima
(Submitted on 22 Nov 2017)
We make a proposal for gauge-invariant observables in perturbative quantum gravity in cosmological spacetimes, building on the recent work of Brunetti et al. [JHEP 08 (2016) 032]. These observables are relational, and are obtained by evaluating the field operator in a field-dependent coordinate system. We show that it is possible to define this coordinate system such that the non-localities inherent in any higher-order observable in quantum gravity are causal, i.e., the value of the gauge-invariant observable at a point x only depends on the metric and inflation perturbations in the past light cone of x. We then construct propagators for the metric and inflaton perturbations in a gauge adapted to that coordinate system, which simplifies the calculation of loop corrections, and give explicit expressions for relevant cases: matter- and radiation-dominated eras and slow-roll inflation.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.09270
Loop Quantum Cosmology Corrected Gauss-Bonnet Singular Cosmology
K. Kleidis, V.K. Oikonomou
(Submitted on 25 Nov 2017)
In this work we investigate which Loop Quantum Cosmology corrected Gauss-Bonnet F(G) gravity can realize two singular cosmological scenarios, the intermediate inflation and the singular bounce scenarios. The intermediate inflation scenario has a Type III sudden singularity at t=0, while the singular bounce has a soft Type IV singularity. By using perturbative techniques, we find the holonomy corrected F(G) gravities that generate at leading order the aforementioned cosmologies and we also argue that the effect of the holonomy corrections is minor to the power spectrum of the primordial curvature perturbations of the classical theory.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.09941
Ryu-Takayanagi Formula for Symmetric Random Tensor Networks
Goffredo Chirco, Daniele Oriti, Mingyi Zhang
(Submitted on 27 Nov 2017)
We consider the special case of Random Tensor Networks (RTN) endowed with gauge symmetry constraints on each tensor. We compute the R\enyi entropy for such states and recover the Ryu-Takayanagi (RT) formula in the large bond regime. The result provides first of all an interesting new extension of the existing derivations of the RT formula for RTNs. Moreover, this extension of the RTN formalism brings it in direct relation with (tensorial) group field theories (and spin networks), and thus provides new tools for realizing the tensor network/geometry duality in the context of background independent quantum gravity, and for importing quantum gravity tools in tensor network research.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.10861
The time-dependent mass of cosmological perturbations in the hybrid and dressed metric approaches to loop quantum cosmology
Beatriz Elizaga Navascués, Daniel Martín de Blas, Guillermo A. Mena Marugán
(Submitted on 29 Nov 2017)
Loop quantum cosmology has recently been applied in order to extend the analysis of primordial perturbations to the Planck era and discuss the possible effects of quantum geometry on the cosmic microwave background. Two approaches to loop quantum cosmology with admissible ultraviolet behaviour leading to predictions that are compatible with observations are the so-called hybrid and dressed metric approaches. In spite of their similarities and relations, we show in this work that the effective equations that they provide for the evolution of the tensor and scalar perturbations are somewhat different. When backreaction is neglected, the discrepancy appears only in the time-dependent mass term of the corresponding field equations. We explain the origin of this difference, arising from the distinct quantization procedures. Besides, given the privileged role that the Big Bounce plays in loop quantum cosmology, e.g. as a natural instant of time to set initial conditions for the perturbations, we also analyze the positivity of the time-dependent mass when this bounce occurs. We prove that the mass of the tensor perturbations is positive in the hybrid approach when the kinetic contribution to the energy density of the inflaton dominates over its potential, as well as for a considerably large sector of backgrounds around that situation, while this mass is always nonpositive in the dressed metric approach. Similar results are demonstrated for the scalar perturbations in a sector of background solutions that includes the kinetically dominated ones, namely, the mass then is positive for the hybrid approach, whereas it typically becomes negative in the dressed metric case. More precisely, this last statement is strictly valid when the potential is quadratic for values of the inflaton mass that are phenomenologically favored.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.10943
The loop quantum cosmology bounce as a Kasner transition
Edward Wilson-Ewing
(Submitted on 29 Nov 2017)
For the Bianchi type I space-time (vacuum or with a massless scalar field), the loop quantum cosmology bounce can be viewed as a rapid transition between two classical solutions, with a simple transformation rule relating the Kasner exponents of the two epochs. This transformation rule can be extended to other Bianchi space-times under the assumption that during the loop quantum cosmology bounce the contribution of the spatial curvature to the Hamiltonian constraint is negligible compared to the kinetic terms. For the vacuum Bianchi type IX space-time there are transformation rules for how each of the parameters characterizing the Kasner epochs change during the bounce. This provides a quantum gravity extension to the Mixmaster dynamics of general relativity, and may have interesting implications for the Belinski-Khalatnikov-Lifshitz conjecture.

Last edited: Feb 18, 2018
18. Dec 23, 2017

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https://arxiv.org/abs/1712.03677
Covariance and Anomaly-freedom in symmetry-reduced self dual models of Loop Quantum Gravity
Jibril Ben Achour, Suddhasattwa Brahma
(Submitted on 11 Dec 2017)
In effective models of loop quantum gravity (LQG), the curvature of the connection in the Hamiltonian constraint is regularised based on the holonomy of the connection, prior to quantization. At this very first step, whether the holonomy-corrected system of "first-class" constraints form a closed algebra such that they still act as generators of gauge transformations, and consequently eliminate the same number of spurious degrees of freedom, is a crucial question which needs to be clarified before dealing with quantum dynamics. In the real Ashtekar-Barbero framework, such holonomy-corrected models have typically a deformed notion of covariance when no local degrees of freedom are involved, and fail to be (gauge-)covariant in models exhibiting local physical degrees of freedom. Recently discovered no-go results in models involving non-perturbative inhomogeneity challenge the possibility of including holonomy modifications in realistic scenarios depicting gravitational collapse of scalar matter or cylindrical gravitational waves. Moreover, it is known that the inclusion of the μ¯-scheme, which implements a coarse-graining procedure at the effective level, leads to additional difficulties in such models. In this article, we show how such conclusions can be by-passed when working in the self dual formulation, i.e. we investigate the fate of covariance in holonomy-corrected models of LQG based on the original self dual Ashtekar formulation. We consider two systems of particular interest: spherically symmetric gravity minimally coupled to a scalar field and (unpolarized) Gowdy cosmology. Both have local degrees of freedom and, therefore, represent midisuperspace models beyond what has been studied in the LQG literature.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1712.06918
On the distribution of the eigenvalues of the area operator in loop quantum gravity
J. Fernando Barbero, Juan Margalef-Bentabol, Eduardo J. S. Villaseñor
(Submitted on 19 Dec 2017)
We study the distribution of the eigenvalues of the area operator in loop quantum gravity concentrating on the part of the spectrum relevant for isolated horizons. We first show that the approximations relying on integer partitions are not sufficient to obtain the asymptotic behaviour of the eigenvalue distribution for large areas. We then develop a method, based on Laplace transforms, that provides a very accurate solution to this problem. The representation that we get is valid for any area and can be used to obtain its asymptotics in the large area limit.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1712.07266
Cosmological evolution as squeezing: a toy model for group field cosmology
Eugene Adjei, Steffen Gielen, Wolfgang Wieland
(Submitted on 19 Dec 2017)
We present a simple model of quantum cosmology based on the group field theory (GFT) approach to quantum gravity. The model is formulated on a subspace of the GFT Fock space for the quanta of geometry, with a fixed volume per quantum. In this Hilbert space, cosmological expansion corresponds to the generation of new quanta. Our main insight is that the evolution of a flat FLRW universe with a massless scalar field can be described on this Hilbert space as squeezing, familiar from quantum optics. As in GFT cosmology, we find that the three-volume satisfies an effective Friedmann equation similar to the one of loop quantum cosmology, connecting the classical contracting and expanding solutions by a quantum bounce. The only free parameter in the model is identified with Newton's constant. We also comment on the possible topological interpretation of our squeezed states. This paper can serve an introduction into the main ideas of GFT cosmology without requiring the full GFT formalism; our results can also motivate new developments in GFT and its cosmological application.

19. Feb 3, 2018

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https://arxiv.org/abs/1801.00273
A new bound on polymer quantization via an opto-mechanical setup
M. Khodadi, K. Nozari, S. Dey, A. Bhat, Mir Faizal
(Submitted on 31 Dec 2017)
The existence of a minimal measurable length as a characteristic length in the Planck scale is one of the main features of quantum gravity and has been widely explored in the context. Various different deformations of spacetime have been employed successfully for the purpose. However, polymer quantization approach is a relatively new and dynamic field towards the quantum gravity phenomenology, which emerges from the symmetric sector of the loop quantum gravity. In this article, we extend the standard ideas of polymer quantization to find a new and tighter bound on the polymer deformation parameter. Our protocol relies on an opto-mechanical experimental setup that was originally proposed in Ref.\cite{ref:Igor} to explore some interesting phenomena by embedding the minimal length into the standard canonical commutation relation. We extend this scheme to probe the \emph{polymer length} deformed canonical commutation relation of the center of mass mode of a mechanical oscillator with a mass around the Planck scale. The method utilizes the novelty of exchanging the relevant mechanical information with a high intensity optical pulse inside an optical cavity. We also demonstrate that our proposal is within the reach of the current technologies and, thus, it could uncover a decent realization of quantum gravitational phenomena thorough a simple table-top experiment.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1801.00768
Emergent de Sitter epoch of the quantum Cosmos
Mehdi Assanioussi, Andrea Dapor, Klaus Liegener, Tomasz Pawłowski
(Submitted on 2 Jan 2018)
The quantum nature of the Big Bang is reexamined in the framework of Loop Quantum Cosmology. The strict application of a regularization procedure to the Hamiltonian, originally developed for the Hamiltonian in loop quantum gravity, leads to a qualitative modification of the bounce paradigm. Quantum gravity effects still lead to a quantum bounce connecting deterministically large classical Universes. However, the evolution features a large epoch of de Sitter Universe, with emergent cosmological constant of Planckian order, smoothly transiting into a flat expanding Universe.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1801.01479
Black Holes as Quantum Gravity Condensates
Daniele Oriti, Daniele Pranzetti, Lorenzo Sindoni
(Submitted on 4 Jan 2018)
We model spherically symmetric black holes within the group field theory formalism for quantum gravity via generalised condensate states, involving sums over arbitrarily refined graphs (dual to 3d triangulations). The construction relies heavily on both the combinatorial tools of random tensor models and the quantum geometric data of loop quantum gravity, both part of the group field theory formalism. Armed with the detailed microscopic structure, we compute the entropy associated with the black hole horizon, which turns out to be equivalently the Boltzmann entropy of its microscopic degrees of freedom and the entanglement entropy between the inside and outside regions. We recover the area law under very general conditions, as well as the Bekenstein-Hawking formula. The result is also shown to be generically independent of any specific value of the Immirzi parameter.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1801.03027
Characteristic Time Scales for the Geometry Transition of a Black Hole to a White Hole from Spinfoams
Marios Christodoulou, Fabio D'Ambrosio
(Submitted on 9 Jan 2018)
Quantum fluctuations of the metric provide a decay mechanism for black holes, through a transition to a white hole geometry. Old perplexing results by Ambrus and H\'aj\'i\v{c}ek and more recent results by Barcel\'o, Carballo--Rubio and Garay, indicate a characteristic time scale of this process that scales linearly with the mass of the collapsed object. We compute the characteristic time scales involved in the quantum process using Lorentzian Loop Quantum Gravity amplitudes, corroborating these results but reinterpreting and clarifying their physical meaning. We first review and streamline the classical set up, and distinguish and discuss the different time scales involved. We conclude that the aforementioned results concern a time scale that is different from the lifetime, the latter being the much longer time related to the probability of the process to take place. We recover the exponential scaling of the lifetime in the mass, as expected from na\"ive semiclassical arguments for the probability of a tunneling phenomenon to occur.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1801.03353
Bohmian quantum gravity and cosmology
Nelson Pinto-Neto, Ward Struyve
(Submitted on 10 Jan 2018)
Quantum gravity aims to describe gravity in quantum mechanical terms. How exactly this needs to be done remains an open question. Various proposals have been put on the table, such as canonical quantum gravity, loop quantum gravity, string theory, etc. These proposals often encounter technical and conceptual problems. In this chapter, we focus on canonical quantum gravity and discuss how many conceptual problems, such as the measurement problem and the problem of time, can be overcome by adopting a Bohmian point of view. In a Bohmian theory (also called pilot-wave theory or de Broglie-Bohm theory, after its originators de Broglie and Bohm), a system is described by certain variables in space-time such as particles or fields or something else, whose dynamics depends on the wave function. In the context of quantum gravity, these variables are a space-time metric and suitable variable for the matter fields (e.g., particles or fields). In addition to solving the conceptual problems, the Bohmian approach yields new applications and predictions in quantum cosmology. These include space-time singularity resolution, new types of semi-classical approximations to quantum gravity, and approximations for quantum perturbations moving in a quantum background.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1801.06017
Spin networks on adiabatic quantum computer
Jakub Mielczarek
(Submitted on 18 Jan 2018)
The article is addressing a possibility of implementation of spin network states on adiabatic quantum computer. The discussion is focused on application of currently available technologies and analyzes a concrete example of D-Wave machine. A class of simple spin network states which can be implemented on the Chimera graph architecture of the D-Wave quantum processor is introduced. However, extension beyond the currently available quantum processor topologies is required to simulate more sophisticated spin network states, which may inspire development of new generations of adiabatic quantum computers. A possibility of simulating Loop Quantum Gravity is discussed and a method of solving a graph non-changing scalar (Hamiltonian) constraint with the use of adiabatic quantum computations is proposed.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1801.07313
Towards Cosmological Dynamics from Loop Quantum Gravity
Bao-Fei Li, Parampreet Singh, Anzhong Wang
(Submitted on 22 Jan 2018 (v1), last revised 1 Feb 2018 (this version, v2))
We present a systematic study of the cosmological dynamics resulting from an effective Hamiltonian, recently derived in loop quantum gravity using Thiemann's regularization and earlier obtained in loop quantum cosmology (LQC) by keeping the Lorentzian term explicit in the Hamiltonian constraint. We show that quantum geometric effects result in higher than quadratic corrections in energy density in comparison to LQC causing a non-singular bounce. Dynamics can be described by the Hamilton's or the Friedmann-Raychaudhuri equations, but the map between the two descriptions is not one-to-one. A careful analysis resolves the tension on symmetric versus asymmetric bounce in this model, showing that the bounce must be asymmetric and symmetric bounce is physically inconsistent, in contrast to the standard LQC. In addition, the current observations only allow a scenario where the pre-bounce branch is asymptotically de Sitter, similar to a quantization of the Schwarzschild interior in LQC, and the post-bounce branch yields the classical general relativity. For a quadratic potential, we find that a slow-roll inflation generically happens after the bounce, which is quite similar to what happens in LQC.

Last edited: Feb 17, 2018
20. Feb 17, 2018

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https://arxiv.org/abs/1802.02382
Space and Time in Loop Quantum Gravity
Carlo Rovelli
(Submitted on 7 Feb 2018)
Quantum gravity is expected to require modifications of the notions of space and time. I discuss and clarify how this happens in Loop Quantum Gravity.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1802.02661
Gravitation in terms of observables
Rodolfo Gambini, Jorge Pullin
(Submitted on 7 Feb 2018)
In the 1960's, Mandelstam proposed a new approach to gauge theories and gravity based on loops. The program for gauge theories was completed for Yang--Mills theories by Gambini and Trias in the 1980's. Gauge theories could be understood as representations of certain group: the group of loops. The same formalism could not be implemented at that time for the gravitational case. Here we would like to propose an extension to the case of gravity. The resulting theory is described in terms of loops and open paths and can provide the underpinning for a new quantum representation for gravity distinct from the one used in loop quantum gravity or string theory. In it, space-time points are emergent entities that would only have quasi-classical status. The formulation may be given entirely in terms of Dirac observables that form a complete set of gauge invariant functions that completely define the Riemannian geometry of the spacetime. At the quantum level this formulation will lead to a reduced phase space quantization free of any constraints.

21. Mar 11, 2018

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https://arxiv.org/abs/1802.06251
Radial gauge fixing of first order gravity
Emanuele Alesci, Costantino Pacilio, Daniele Pranzetti
(Submitted on 17 Feb 2018)
We consider the first order connection formulation of 4D general relativity in the radial gauge. We show how the partial gauge fixing of the phase space canonical coordinates leads to the appearance of second class constraints in the theory. We employ the gauge unfixing procedure in order to successfully complete the Dirac treatment of the system. While equivalent to the inversion of the Dirac matrix, the gauge unfixing allows us to work directly with the reduced phase space and the ordinary Poisson bracket. At the same time, we explicitly derive the new set of residual first class constraints preserving the partial gauge fixing, which are linear combinations of the original constraints, and these turn out to contain nonlinear terms. While providing an explicit example of how to consistently recast general relativity in a given partial gauge, the main motivation of this classical analysis is the application of the Quantum Reduced Loop Gravity program to a Schwarzschild black hole geometry.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1802.07033
The constraint algebra in Smolins' G→0 limit of 4d Euclidean Gravity
(Submitted on 20 Feb 2018)
Smolin's generally covariant GNewton→0 limit of 4d Euclidean gravity is a useful toy model for the study of the constraint algebra in Loop Quantum Gravity. In particular, the commutator between its Hamiltonian constraints has a metric dependent structure function. While a prior LQG like construction of non-trivial anomaly free constraint commutators for the model exists, that work suffers from two defects. First, Smolin's remarks on the inability of the quantum dynamics to generate propagation effects apply. Second, the construction only yields the action of a single Hamiltonian constraint together with the action of its commutator through a continuum limit of corresponding discrete approximants; the continuum limit of a product of 2 or more constraints does not exist. Here, we incorporate changes in the quantum dynamics through structural modifications in the choice of discrete approximants to the quantum Hamiltonian constraint. The new structure is motivated by that responsible for propagation in an LQG like quantization of Paramaterized Field Theory and significantly alters the space of physical states. We study the off shell constraint algebra of the model in the context of these structural changes and show that the continuum limit action of multiple products of Hamiltonian constraints is (a) supported on an appropriate domain of states (b) yields anomaly free commutators between pairs of Hamiltonian constraints and (c) is diffeomorphism covariant. Many of our considerations seem robust enough to be applied to the setting of 4d Euclidean gravity.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1802.09114
Loop Quantum Corrected Einstein Yang-Mills Black Holes
Mason Protter, Andrew DeBenedictis
(Submitted on 26 Feb 2018)
In this paper we study the homogeneous interiors of black holes possessing SU(2) Yang-Mills fields subject to corrections inspired by loop quantum gravity. The systems studied possess both magnetic and induced electric Yang-Mills fields. We consider the system of equations both with and without Wilson loop corrections to the Yang-Mills potential. The structure of the Yang-Mills Hamiltonian along with the restriction to homogeneity allows for an anomaly free effective quantization. In particular we study the bounce which replaces the classical singularity and the behavior of the Yang-Mills fields in the quantum corrected interior, which possesses topology R×S2. Beyond the bounce the magnitude of the Yang-Mills electric field asymptotically grows monotonically. This results in an ever expanding R sector even though the two-sphere volume is asymptotically constant. The results are similar with and without Wilson loop corrections on the Yang-Mills potential.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.00332
Geometry Transition in Covariant Loop Quantum Gravity
Christodoulou Marios
(Submitted on 1 Mar 2018)
In this manuscript we present a calculation of a physical observable in a non-perturbative quantum gravitational physical process from covariant Loop Quantum Gravity. The process regards the transition of a trapped region to an anti--trapped region, treated as a quantum geometry transition akin to gravitational tunneling. Figuratively speaking, this is a quantum transition of a black hole to a white hole. The physical observables are the characteristic timescales in which the process takes place.
After an introduction, we begin with two chapters that review, define and extend main tools relevant to Lorentzian spinfoams and their semiclassical limit. We then dedicate a chapter to the classical exterior spacetime, which provides the setup for the problem. In the last two chapters, we arrive at an explicit, analytically well-defined and finite expression for a transition amplitude describing this process and use the semiclassical approximation to estimate the relevant amplitudes for an arbitrary choice of boundary conditions. We conclude that the transition is predicted to be allowed by LQG, with a characteristic duration that is linear in the mass, when the process takes place. The probability for the process to take place is exponentially suppressed but non-zero, resulting to a long lifetime.
Comments: PhD thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics. Defended at the Center for Theoretical Physics/CNRS/Aix-Marseille University, the 23rd of October 2017. The manuscript is written in English and begins with a short summary in French

https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.01119
Effective line elements and black-hole models in canonical (loop) quantum gravity
Martin Bojowald, Suddhasattwa Brahma, Dong-han Yeom
(Submitted on 3 Mar 2018)
Canonical quantization is often used to suggest new effects in quantum gravity, in the dynamics as well as the structure of space-time. Usually, possible phenomena are first seen in a modified version of the classical dynamics, for instance in an effective Friedmann equation, but there should also be implications for a modified space-time structure. Quantum space-time effects, however, are often ignored in this setting because they are not obvious: they require a careful analysis of gauge transformations and the anomaly problem. It is shown here how modified space-time structures and effective line elements can be derived unambiguously, provided an off-shell anomaly-free system of modified constraints exists. The resulting effective line elements reveal signature change as an inescapable consequence of non-classical gauge transformations in the presence of holonomy modifications. The general framework is then specialized to black-hole models in loop quantum gravity. In contrast to previous studies, a self-consistent space-time structure is taken into account, leading to a new picture of black-hole interiors.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.01152
Loop quantum deformation of a Schwarzschild black hole: an effective metric
Jibril Ben Achour, Frédéric Lamy, Hongguang Liu, Karim Noui
(Submitted on 3 Mar 2018)
We consider the modified Einstein equations obtained in the framework of effective loop quantum gravity for spherically symmetric space-times. When one takes into account (only point-wise holonomy) quantum corrections, the deformation of Einstein equations is parametrized by a function f(x) of one variable . We solve explicitly these equations for static black holes and find the effective metric in the region inside the black hole for any f(x). When f(x) is the usual function used in loop quantum gravity, the effective metric presents strong similarities with the Reissner-Nordstrom metric (with a regular trapped region): it tends to the expected Schwarzschild metric when one approaches the outer horizon, and the inner horizon replaces the original Schwarzschild singularity. We discuss the possibility to extend the solution outside the trapped region, and possible phenomenological consequences of our results.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.02577
The Bronstein hypercube of quantum gravity
Daniele Oriti
(Submitted on 7 Mar 2018 (v1), last revised 8 Mar 2018 (this version, v2))
We argue for enlarging the traditional view of quantum gravity, based on "quantizing GR", to include explicitly the non-spatiotemporal nature of the fundamental building blocks suggested by several modern quantum gravity approaches (and some semi-classical arguments), and to focus more on the issue of the emergence of continuum spacetime and geometry from their collective dynamics. We also discuss some recent developments in quantum gravity research, aiming at realising these ideas, in the context of group field theory, random tensor models, simplicial quantum gravity, loop quantum gravity, spin foam models.

Last edited: Mar 11, 2018
22. Mar 29, 2018

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https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.04374
Spacetime is as spacetime does
Vincent Lam, Christian Wuthrich
(Submitted on 12 Mar 2018)
Theories of quantum gravity generically presuppose or predict that the reality underlying relativistic spacetimes they are describing is significantly non-spatiotemporal. On pain of empirical incoherence, approaches to quantum gravity must establish how relativistic spacetime emerges from their non-spatiotemporal structures. We argue that in order to secure this emergence, it is sufficient to establish that only those features of relativistic spacetimes functionally relevant in producing empirical evidence must be recovered. In order to complete this task, an account must be given of how the more fundamental structures instantiate these functional roles. We illustrate the general idea in the context of causal set theory and loop quantum gravity, two prominent approaches to quantum gravity.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.06963
Interpreting Theories without a Spacetime
Sebastian De Haro, Henk De Regt
(Submitted on 19 Mar 2018)
In this paper we have two aims: first, to draw attention to the close connexion between interpretation and scientific understanding; second, to give a detailed account of how theories without a spacetime can be interpreted, and so of how they can be understood.
In order to do so, we of course need an account of what is meant by a theory without a spacetime': which we also provide in this paper.
We describe three tools, used by physicists, aimed at constructing interpretations which are adequate for the goal of understanding. We analyse examples from high-energy physics illustrating how physicists use these tools to construct interpretations and thereby attain understanding. The examples are: the 't Hooft approximation of gauge theories, random matrix models, causal sets, loop quantum gravity, and group field theory.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.09653
Mimetic Loop Quantum Cosmology
Jaume de Haro, Llibert Aresté Saló, Supriya Pan
(Submitted on 26 Mar 2018)
Considering as usual that the underlying geometry of our universe is well described by the spatially flat Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker line element, we show that the background of holonomy corrected Loop Quantum Cosmology (LQC) is equivalent to a simple modified version of the mimetic gravity. We also analyze the scalar and tensor perturbations of this modified mimetic model from which we find that, at the level of scalar perturbations, the modified mimetic model is exactly equivalent to the LQC while at the level of tensor perturbations, the modified mimetic gravity is indistinguishable from the General Relativity.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.10289
Emergence of Spacetime in a restricted Spin-foam model
Sebastian Steinhaus, Johannes Thürigen
(Submitted on 27 Mar 2018)
The spectral dimension has proven to be a very informative observable to understand the properties of quantum geometries in approaches to quantum gravity. In loop quantum gravity and its spin foam description, it has not been possible so far to calculate the spectral dimension of spacetime. As a first step towards this goal, here we determine the spacetime spectral dimension in the simplified spin foam model restricted to hypercuboids. Using Monte Carlo methods we compute the spectral dimension for state sums over periodic spin foam configurations on infinite lattices. For given periodicity, i.e. number of degrees of freedom, we find a range of scale where an intermediate spectral dimension between 0 and 4 can be found, continuously depending on the parameter of the model. Under an assumption on the statistical behaviour of the Laplacian we can explain these results analytically. This allows us to take the thermodynamic limit of large periodicity and find a phase transition from a regime of effectively 0-dimensional to 4-dimensional spacetime. At the point of phase transition, dynamics of the model are scale invariant which can be seen as restoration of diffeomorphism invariance of flat space. Considering the spectral dimension as an order parameter for renormalization we find a renormalization group flow to this point as well. Being the first instance of an emergence of 4-dimensional spacetime in a spin foam model, the properties responsible for this result seem to be rather generic. We thus expect similar results for more general, less restricted spin foam models.

23. Apr 4, 2018

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https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.10807
Hamiltonian structure and connection-dynamics of Weyl gravity
Qian Chen, Yongge Ma
(Submitted on 28 Mar 2018)
A crucial property of Weyl gravity is its conformal invariance. It is shown how this gauge symmetry is exactly reflected by the two constraints in the Hamiltonian framework. Since the spatial 3-metric is one of the configuration variables. The phase space of Weyl gravity can be extended to include internal gauge freedom by triad formalism. Moreover, by a canonical transformation, we obtain a new Hamiltonian formulation of Weyl gravity with an SU(2) connection as one of its configuration variables. This connection dynamical formalism lays a foundation to quantize Weyl gravity nonperturbatively by applying the method of loop quantum gravity.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.10858
Is the average of timelike singularities really spacelike?
Eugenio Bianchi, Hal M. Haggard
(Submitted on 28 Mar 2018)
Due to quantum fluctuations, a non-rotating black hole should be the average over an ensemble of black hole geometries with angular momentum. This observation invites the question: Is the average of timelike singularities really spacelike? We use the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy formula to introduce a microcanonical ensemble for spin fluctuations and argue that the onset of quantum gravity is always spacelike. We also hint at the possibility of an observational test.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1803.10809
Volume and Boundary Face Area of a Regular Tetrahedron in a Constant Curvature Space
Omar Nemoul, Noureddine Mebarki
(Submitted on 23 Mar 2018)
An example of the volume and boundary face area of a curved polyhedron for the case of regular spherical and hyperbolic tetrahedron is discussed. An exact formula is explicitly derived as a function of the scalar curvature and the edge length. This work can be used in loop quantum gravity and Regge calculus in the context of a non-vanishing cosmological constant.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1804.00012
Effective universality in quantum gravity
Astrid Eichhorn, Peter Labus, Jan M. Pawlowski, Manuel Reichert
(Submitted on 30 Mar 2018)
We investigate the asymptotic safety scenario for a scalar-gravity system. This system contains two avatars of the dynamical Newton coupling, a gravitational self-coupling and a scalar-graviton coupling. We uncover an effective universality for the dynamical Newton coupling on the quantum level: its momentum-dependent avatars are in remarkable quantitative agreement in the scaling regime of the UV fixed point. For the background Newton coupling, this effective universality is not present, but qualitative agreement remains.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1804.00960
Singularity from star collapse, torsion and asymptotic safety of gravity
Abhishek Majhi
(Submitted on 3 Apr 2018)
A star of mass greater than the Chandrasekhar limit is believed to undergo a gravitational collapse to form a singularity, owing to Hawking-Penrose singularity theorem which is based on the Raychaudhuri equation in the absence of torsion. We argue that the spin-aspect of matter can lead to the evasion of singularity, caused by its mass-aspect, via torsion in asymptotically safe gravity.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1804.01003
An area rescaling ansatz and black hole entropy from loop quantum gravity
Abhishek Majhi
(Submitted on 3 Apr 2018)
Considering the possibility of renormalization' of the gravitational constant on the horizon, leading to a dependence on the level of the associated Chern-Simons theory, a rescaled area spectrum is proposed for the non-rotating black hole horizon in loop quantum gravity. The statistical mechanical calculation leading to the entropy provides a unique choice of the rescaling function for which the Bekenstein-Hawking area law is yielded without the need to choose the Barbero-Immirzi parameter (γ). γ is determined by studying the limit in which the renormalized' gravitational constant on the horizon asymptotically approaches the bare' value. Unlike the usual, much criticized, practice of choosing γ just for the sake of the entropy matching the area law, its value is now rather determined by a physical consistency requirement.

24. Apr 10, 2018

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https://arxiv.org/abs/1804.02184
The emergence of space and time
Christian Wuthrich
(Submitted on 6 Apr 2018)
Research in quantum gravity strongly suggests that our world in not fundamentally spatiotemporal, but that spacetime may only emerge in some sense from a non-spatiotemporal structure, as this paper illustrates in the case of causal set theory and loop quantum gravity. This would raise philosophical concerns regarding the empirical coherence and general adequacy of theories in quantum gravity. If it can be established, however, that spacetime emerges in the appropriate circumstances and how all its relevant aspects are explained in fundamental non-spatiotemporal terms, then the challenge is fully met. It is argued that a form of spacetime functionalism offers the most promising template for this project.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1804.02428
A predictive framework for quantum gravity and black hole to white hole transition
Robert Oeckl (CCM-UNAM)
(Submitted on 6 Apr 2018)
The apparent incompatibility between quantum theory and general relativity has long hampered efforts to find a quantum theory of gravity. The recently proposed positive formalism for quantum theory purports to remove this incompatibility. We showcase the power of the positive formalism by applying it to the black hole to white hole transition scenario that has been proposed as a possible effect of quantum gravity. We show how the characteristic observable of this scenario, the bounce time, can be predicted within the positive formalism, while a traditional S-matrix approach fails at this task. Our result also involves a conceptually novel use of positive operator valued measures.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1804.02262
Cosmological consequences of Quantum Gravity proposals
Marco de Cesare
(Submitted on 6 Apr 2018)
In this thesis, we study the implications of Quantum Gravity models for the dynamics of spacetime and the ensuing departures from classical General Relativity. The main focus is on cosmological applications, particularly the impact of quantum gravitational effects on the dynamics of a homogenous and isotropic cosmological background. Our interest lies in the consequences for the evolution of the early universe and singularity resolution, as well as in the possibility of providing an alternative explanation for dark matter and dark energy in the late universe.
The thesis is divided into two main parts, dedicated to alternative (and complementary) ways of tackling the problem of Quantum Gravity. The first part is concerned with cosmological applications of background independent approaches to Quantum Gravity, both in the context of loop quantisation and in quantum geometrodynamics. Particularly relevant in this work is the Group Field Theory approach, which we use to study the effective dynamics of the emergent universe from a full theory of Quantum Gravity (i.e. without symmetry reduction).
In the second part, modified gravity theories are introduced as tools to provide an effective description of quantum gravitational effects, e.g. by introducing new degrees of freedom and symmetries. Particularly relevant in this respect is local conformal invariance, which finds a natural realisation in the framework of Weyl geometry. We build a modified theory of gravity based on such symmetry principle, and argue that new fields in the extended gravitational sector may play the role of dark matter. New degrees of freedom are also natural in models with varying fundamental `constants', which we examine critically.
Finally, we discuss prospects for future work and point at directions for the derivation of realistic cosmological models from Quantum Gravity candidates.

https://arxiv.org/abs/1804.02560
Quantum gravity for piecewise flat spacetimes
Aleksandar Mikovic, Marko Vojinovic
(Submitted on 7 Apr 2018)
We describe a theory of quantum gravity which is based on the assumption that the spacetime structure at small distances is given by a piecewise linear (PL) 4-manifold corresponding to a triangulation of a smooth 4-manifold. The fundamental degrees of freedom are the edge lengths of the triangulation. One can work with finitely many edge lengths, so that the corresponding Regge path integral can be made finite by using an appropriate path-integral measure. The semi-classical limit is computed by using the effective action formalism, and the existence of a semi-classical effective action restricts the choice of the path-integral measure. The classical limit is given by the Regge action, so that one has a quantum gravity theory for a piecewise-flat general relativity. By using the effective action formalism we show that the observed value of the cosmological constant can be recovered from the effective cosmological constant. When the number of 4-simplices in the spacetime triangulation is large, then the PL effective action is well approximated by a quantum field theory effective action with a physical cutoff determined by the smallest edge length.