Toward a Background Independent Quantum Theory of Gravity

Jejjala, Vishnu; Minic, Djordje; Tze, Chia-Hsiung

Toward a Background Independent Quantum Theory of Gravity

Authors

Jejjala, Vishnu

Minic, Djordje

Tze, Chia-Hsiung

Description

Any canonical quantum theory can be understood to arise from the compatibility of the statistical geometry of distinguishable observations with the canonical Poisson structure of Hamiltonian dynamics. This geometric perspective offers a novel, background independent non-perturbative formulation of quantum gravity. We invoke a quantum version of the equivalence principle, which requires both the statistical and symplectic geometries of canonical quantum theory to be fully dynamical quantities. Our approach sheds new light on such basic issues of quantum gravity as the nature of observables, the problem of time, and the physics of the vacuum. In particular, the observed numerical smallness of the cosmological constant can be rationalized in this approach.
Awarded Honorable Mention, 2004 Gravity Research Foundation Essay Competition; 8 pages, LaTeX