Loop at APS April meeting-other QG

[marcus]

Loop at APS April meeting--other QG

Loop-and-related QG has three invited speakers in the April APS this year, compared with only one invited speaker last year.

If you are in Florida, save time for this session

http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR07/SessionIndex2/?SessionEventID=65789
Session X12: Recent Developments in Quantum Gravity (GGR unit)
10:45 AM–12:33 PM, Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront - City Terrace 8
Chair: Jorge Pullin, Louisiana State University
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http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR07/Event/65655
Recent Advances in Loop Quantum Cosmology
10:45 AM–11:21 AM

Parampreet Singh
(The Pennsylvania State University)

Einstein's theory of classical general relativity explains the dynamics of our universe at low energies to an excellent precision. However, it breaks down at the Planck scale before the big bang singularity is reached. Relativity thus fails to tell us about the origin of our cosmos and leaves open various questions which are expected to be answered by a quantum theory of gravity. We will review recent developments in loop quantum cosmology which is a quantization of cosmological spacetimes based on loop quantum gravity -- a non-perturbative background independent quantization of gravity. Because, of fundamental discreteness of quantum geometry underlying loop quantum gravity, novel features arise. In particular, for quantum states representing a large classical universe at late times there is an upper bound on the gravitational curvature, of the order of 1/(Planck length)^2. Thus, non-perturbative quantum gravity effects forbid the cosmological dynamics from entering a regime where curvature or energy density blow up. Evolution in loop quantum cosmology is non-singular. In models studied so far, the backward evolution of our expanding universe does not lead to a big bang but a big bounce to a contracting branch when the gravitational curvature reaches Planck scale. These results which have now been established for various homogeneous spacetimes provide a new paradigm of the genesis of our universe and lead to useful insights on the generic resolution of space-like singularities through quantum gravity effects.
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http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR07/Event/65656
Graviton propagator from Loop Quantum Gravity
11:21 AM–11:57 AM

Simone Speziale
(Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics)

Loop quantum gravity provides a background independent quantisation of General Relativity, where the microscopical structure of spacetime shows discrete and quantum properties. This microscopical quantum geometry has led to new insights in problems such as the big bang and black hole singularities. However, the study of the semiclassical limit of the theory is still a key open issue. In this talk, I will present recent developments suggesting that the correct low energy physics emerges. In particular, I will describe how the calculations of the graviton propagator in loop quantum gravity agree at large scales with the conventional free propagator of linearised General Relativity, and how the microscopical quantum geometry is likely to provide new and non--trivial quantum corrections to it
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http://meetings.aps.org/Meeting/APR07/Event/65657
The Asymptotic Safety Scenario in Quantum Gravity
11:57 AM–12:33 PM

Max Niedermaier
(CNRS UMR 6083, Univ. Tours, Parc de Grandmont, 37200 Tours)

The Asymptotic Safety Scenario in quantum gravity is reviewed, according to which a renormalizable quantum theory of the gravitational field is feasible which reconciles asymptotically safe couplings with unitarity. All presently known evidence is surveyed: (a) from the 2+\backslash eps$ expansion, (b) from renormalizable higher derivative gravity theories and a `large N' expansion in the number of matter fields, (c) from symmetry reductions modeling the residual selfinteractions in the ultraviolet, and (d) from truncated flow equations for the effective average action. Special emphasis is given to the role of perturbation theory as a guide to `asymptotic safety'. Further it is argued that as a consequence of the scenario the selfinteractions appear two-dimensional in the extreme ultraviolet.

 

[marcus]

The number of invited speakers fields and subfields get at a big conference like this is a rough indication of current interest and standing within professional associations. If you want something to compare with the three non-string QG invited talks, string (broadly interpreted) has FIVE at this year's April APS.

Stan Brodsky
Joe Polchinski
Shamit Kachru
Juan Maldacena
Lisa Randall

 

[Entropia]

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I find it exciting to see the growing interest and research in loop quantum gravity at the APS April meeting. With three invited speakers this year, compared to only one last year, it is clear that this topic is gaining momentum and attention within the scientific community. I am particularly interested in the session on Recent Developments in Quantum Gravity, which will cover topics such as loop quantum cosmology, graviton propagator, and the asymptotic safety scenario. These talks have the potential to shed light on some of the most fundamental questions in physics, such as the origin of our universe and the nature of space-time at the Planck scale. I highly recommend attending this session for anyone interested in the cutting-edge research in quantum gravity.