Morzine: Francesca Vidotto: The Path to Quantum Gravity

Описание: Lecture given at the International Summer Institute in Philosophy of Physics on the Philosophy of Cosmology and the Philosophy of Quantum Gravity

Hosted by the University of Geneva – University of Illinois Chicago Cosmology Beyond Spacetime project

Morzine, France
26 June - 1 July 2022

Note: Some of the Q&A has low audio quality.

Please find the downloadable slides and links to supplementary materials at https://beyondspacetime.net/summer-in....

Francesca Vidotto: The Path to Quantum Gravity

Abstract: To select the principles guiding the construction of a quantum theory of gravity, we need to select what we consider the fundamental aspect of respectively the quantum theory and the spacetime one. I focus on discreteness as the core aspect of the quantum theory, and on the identification of spacetime as a dynamical (gauge) field in general relativity. These principles lead to loop quantum gravity. By highlighting these principles, we can clarify questions such as spacetime emergence and the disappearance of Newtonian time in quantum gravity. I give a brief overview of the theory, discussing the covariant formulation of the theory. This gives transition amplitudes that provides a tool for concrete physical computation. I mention the principal applications such as the graviton propagator or the black-hole transition into a white hole. The application to cosmology is the main topic of a separate lecture.