| | |
| | |
Stat |
Members: 3643 Articles: 2'487'895 Articles rated: 2609
28 March 2024 |
|
| | | |
|
Article overview
| |
|
Higher-Dimensional Algebra and Planck-Scale Physics | John C. Baez
; | Date: |
4 Feb 1999 | Subject: | General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology; Quantum Algebra; Category Theory | gr-qc hep-th math.CT math.QA | Abstract: | This is a nontechnical introduction to recent work on quantum gravity using ideas from higher-dimensional algebra. We argue that reconciling general relativity with the Standard Model requires a `background-free quantum theory with local degrees of freedom propagating causally’. We describe the insights provided by work on topological quantum field theories such as quantum gravity in 3-dimensional spacetime. These are background-free quantum theories lacking local degrees of freedom, so they only display some of the features we seek. However, they suggest a deep link between the concepts of `space’ and `state’, and similarly those of `spacetime’ and `process’, which we argue is to be expected in any background-free quantum theory. We sketch how higher-dimensional algebra provides the mathematical tools to make this link precise. Finally, we comment on attempts to formulate a theory of quantum gravity in 4-dimensional spacetime using `spin networks’ and `spin foams’. | Source: | arXiv, gr-qc/9902017 | Services: | Forum | Review | PDF | Favorites |
|
|
No review found.
Did you like this article?
Note: answers to reviews or questions about the article must be posted in the forum section.
Authors are not allowed to review their own article. They can use the forum section.
browser claudebot
|
| |
|
|
|
| News, job offers and information for researchers and scientists:
| |