An Introduction to Spin Foam Models of BF Theory and Quantum Gravity (original) (raw)

Abstract

In loop quantum gravity we now have a clear picture of the quantum geometry of space, thanks in part to the theory of spin networks. The concept of ‘spin foam’ is intended to serve as a similar picture for the quantum geometry of spacetime. In general, a spin network is a graph with edges labeled by represen- tations and vertices labeled by intertwining operators. Similarly, a spin foam is a 2-dimensional complex with faces labeled by representations and edges labeled by intertwining operators. In a ‘spin foam model’ we describe states as linear combina- tions of spin networks and compute transition amplitudes as sums over spin foams. This paper aims to provide a self-contained introduction to spin foam models of quantum gravity and a simpler field theory called BF theory.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics, University of California, 92521, Riverside, California, USA
    John C. Baez

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Karl-Franzens-Universität, Universitätsplatz 5, 8010, Graz, Austria
    H. Gausterer & L. Pittner &
  2. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Wien, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1090, Wien, Austria
    Harald Grosse

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© 2000 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Baez, J.C. (2000). An Introduction to Spin Foam Models of BF Theory and Quantum Gravity. In: Gausterer, H., Pittner, L., Grosse, H. (eds) Geometry and Quantum Physics. Lecture Notes in Physics, vol 543. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-46552-9\_2

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