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arXiv · hep-th/9808192

Towards a background independent approach to M theory

Lee Smolin
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Abstract

Work in progress is described which aims to construct a background independent formulation of M theory by extending results about background independent states and observables from quantum general relativity and supergravity to string theory. A list of principles for such a theory is proposed which is drawn from results of both string theory and background independent approaches to quantum gravity. Progress is reported on a background independent membrane field theory and on a realization of the holographic principle based on finite surfaces.

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Lee Smolin. 1998-08-31. Towards a background independent approach to M theory. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0960-0779(98)00206-9

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