arXiv subjects

Bianca Dittrich

Publications and source records attributed to Bianca Dittrich.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Perfect discretizations as a gateway to one-loop partition functions for 4D gravity

Lattice actions and amplitudes that perfectly mirror continuum physics are known as perfect discretizations. Such perfect discretizations naturally preserve the symmetries of the continuum. This is a key concern for general relativity, where diffeomorphism symmetry and dynamics are deeply connected, and diffeomorphisms play a crucial role in quantization. In this work we construct for the first time a perfect discretizations for four-dimensional linearized gravity. We show how the perfect discretizations do lead to a straightforward construction of the one-loop quantum corrections for manifolds with boundary. This will also illustrate, that for manifolds with boundaries, gauge modes that affect the boundary, need to be taken into account for the computation of the one-loop correction. This work provides therefore an evaluation of the boundary action for the diffeomorphism modes for a general class of backgrounds.

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arXiv2021

Effective Spin Foam Models for Lorentzian Quantum Gravity

Making the Lorentzian path integral for quantum gravity well-defined and computable has been a long standing challenge. In this work we adopt the recently proposed effective spin foam models to the Lorentzian case. This defines a path integral over discrete Lorentzian quantum geometric configurations, which include metric and torsion degrees of freedom. The torsion degrees of freedom arise due to an anomaly, which is parametrized by the Barbero--Immirzi parameter. Requiring a semi-classical regime constrains this parameter, but the precise bound has to be determined by probing the dynamics. The effective models provide the computationally most efficient spin foam models yet, which allows us to perform first tests for determining the semi-classical regime. This includes explorations specific to the Lorentzian case, e.g. investigating quantum geometries with null lengths and null areas as well as geometries that describe a change of spatial topology.

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arXiv2021

Modified Graviton Dynamics From Spin Foams: The Area Regge Action

A number of approaches to 4D quantum gravity, such as holography and loop quantum gravity, propose areas instead of lengths as fundamental variables. The Area Regge action, which can be defined for general 4D triangulations, is a natural choice for an action based on areas. It does indeed appear in the semi-classical limit of spin foam models. The Area Regge action does however only lead to a discrete version of the gravitational equations of motion, if one implements constraints, that ensure that the areas are compatible with a consistent length assignment to the edges of the triangulation. The constrained version is then classically equivalent to the Length Regge action, which provides a discretization of the Einstein-Hilbert action. Here we perform the first systematic analysis of the Area Regge dynamics on a hyper-cubical lattice. Surprisingly, we find that the linearized Area Regge action on a hyper-cubical lattice does single out the Length Regge action by its scaling behaviour in the lattice constant. That is, integrating out the variables describing fluctuations in the area-length constraints one finds the linearized Length Regge action plus terms of higher order in the lattice constant. This appears without any explicit implementation of the area-length constraints.

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arXiv2021

Discrete gravity dynamics from effective spin foams

The first computation of a spin foam dynamics that provides a test of the quantum equations of motions of gravity is presented. Specifically, a triangulation that includes an inner edge is treated. The computation leverages the recently introduced effective spin foam models, which are particularly numerically efficient. Previous work has raised the concern of a flatness problem in spin foam dynamics, identifying the potential for the dynamics to lead to flat geometries in the small $\hbar$ semiclassical limit. The numerical results presented here expose a rich semiclassical regime, but one that must be understood as an interplay between the various parameters of the spin foam model. In particular, the scale of the triangulation, fixed by the areas of its boundary triangles, the discreteness of the area spectrum, input from Loop Quantum Gravity, and the curvature scales around the bulk triangles, all enter the characterization of the semiclassical regime identified here. In addition to these results on the dynamics, we show that the subtle nature of the semiclassical regime is a generic feature of the path integral quantization of systems with second class constraints.

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arXiv2021

Effective Spin Foam Models for Four-Dimensional Quantum Gravity

A number of approaches to four-dimensional quantum gravity, such as loop quantum gravity and holography, situate areas as their fundamental variables. However, this choice of kinematics can easily lead to gravitational dynamics peaked on flat spacetimes. We show that this is due to how regions are glued in the gravitational path integral via a discrete spin foam model. We introduce a family of `effective' spin foam models that incorporate a quantum area spectrum, impose gluing constraints as strongly as possible, and leverage the discrete general relativity action to specify amplitudes. These effective spin foam models avoid flatness in a restricted regime of the parameter space. The simpler effective spin foam models will be useful for numerical studies and in the investigation of coarse graining and renormalization.

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arXiv2020

Tensor network renormalization with fusion charges: applications to 3d lattice gauge theory

Tensor network methods are powerful and efficient tools to study the properties and dynamics of statistical and quantum systems, in particular in one and two dimensions. In recent years, these methods were applied to lattice gauge theories, yet these theories remain a challenge in $(2+1)$ dimensions. In this article, we present a new (decorated) tensor network algorithm, in which the tensors encode the lattice gauge amplitude expressed in the fusion basis. This has several advantages: Firstly, the fusion basis does diagonalize operators measuring the magnetic fluxes and electric charges associated to a hierarchical set of regions. The algorithm allows therefore a direct access to these observables. Secondly the fusion basis is, as opposed to the previously employed spin network basis, stable under coarse graining. Thirdly, due to the hierarchical structure of the fusion basis, the algorithm does implement predefined disentangles, that remove short-scale entanglement. We apply this new algorithm to lattice gauge theories defined for the quantum group $\text{SU}(2)_{\rm k}$ and identify a weak and a strong coupling phase for various levels $\rm k$. As we increase the level $\rm k$, the critical coupling $g_c$ decreases linearly, suggesting the absence of a deconfining phase for the continuous group $\text{SU}(2)$. Moreover, we illustrate the scaling behaviour of the Wilson loops in the two phases.

hep-th↗

arXiv2019

Quantum geometry from higher gauge theory

Higher gauge theories play a prominent role in the construction of 4d topological invariants and have been long ago proposed as a tool for 4d quantum gravity. The Yetter lattice model and its continuum counterpart, the BFCG theory, generalize BF theory to 2-gauge groups and -- when specialized to 4d and the Poincaré 2-group -- they provide an exactly solvable topologically-flat version of 4d general relativity. The 2-Poincaré Yetter model was conjectured to be equivalent to a state sum model of quantum flat spacetime developed by Baratin and Freidel after work by Korepanov (KBF model). This conjecture was motivated by the origin of the KBF model in the theory of 2-representations of the Poincaré 2-group. Its proof, however, has remained elusive due to the lack of a generalized Peter-Weyl theorem for 2-groups. In this work we prove this conjecture. Our proof avoids the Peter-Weyl theorem and rather leverages the geometrical content of the Yetter model. Key for the proof is the introduction of a kinematical boundary Hilbert space on which 1- and 2-Lorentz invariance is imposed. Geometrically this allows the identification of (quantum) tetrad variables and of the associated (quantum) Levi-Civita connection. States in this Hilbert space are labelled by quantum numbers that match the 2-group representation labels. Our results open exciting opportunities for the construction of new representations of quantum geometries. Compared to loop quantum gravity, the higher gauge theory framework provides a quantum representation of the ADM-Regge initial data, including an identification of the intrinsic and extrinsic curvature. Furthermore, it leads to a version of the diffeomorphism and Hamiltonian constraints that acts on the vertices of the discretization, thus providing a prospect for a quantum realization of the hypersurface deformation algebra in 4d.

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arXiv2019

Holographic formulation of 3D metric gravity with finite boundaries

In this work we construct holographic boundary theories for linearized 3D gravity, for a general family of finite or quasi-local boundaries. These boundary theories are directly derived from the dynamics of 3D gravity by computing the effective action for a geometric boundary observable, which measures the geodesic length from a given boundary point to some centre in the bulk manifold. We identify the general form for these boundary theories and find that these are Liouville like with a coupling to the boundary Ricci scalar. This is illustrated with various examples, which each offer interesting insights into the structure of holographic boundary theories.

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arXiv2018

Holographic description of boundary gravitons in (3+1) dimensions

Gravity is uniquely situated in between classical topological field theories and standard local field theories. This can be seen in the the quasi-local nature of gravitational observables, but is nowhere more apparent than in gravity's holographic formulation. Holography holds promise for simplifying computations in quantum gravity. While holographic descriptions of three-dimensional spacetimes and of spacetimes with a negative cosmological constant are well-developed, a complete boundary description of zero curvature, four-dimensional spacetime is not currently available. Building on previous work in three-dimensions, we provide a new route to four-dimensional holography and its boundary gravitons. Using Regge calculus linearized around a flat Euclidean background with the topology of a solid hyper-torus, we obtain the effective action for a dual boundary theory which describes the dynamics of the boundary gravitons. Remarkably, in the continuum limit and at large radii this boundary theory is local and closely analogous to the corresponding result in three-dimensions. The boundary effective action has a degenerate kinetic term that leads to singularities in the one-loop partition function that are independent of the discretization. These results establish a rich boundary dynamics for four-dimensional flat holography.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Towards a dual spin network basis for (3+1)d lattice gauge theories and topological phases

Using a recent strategy to encode the space of flat connections on a three-manifold with string-like defects into the space of flat connections on a so-called 2d Heegaard surface, we propose a novel way to define gauge invariant bases for (3+1)d lattice gauge theories and gauge models of topological phases. In particular, this method reconstructs the spin network basis and yields a novel dual spin network basis. While the spin network basis allows to interpret states in terms of electric excitations, on top of a vacuum sharply peaked on a vanishing electric field, the dual spin network basis describes magnetic (or curvature) excitations, on top of a vacuum sharply peaked on a vanishing magnetic field (or flat connection). This technique is also applicable for manifolds with boundaries. We distinguish in particular a dual pair of boundary conditions, namely of electric type and of magnetic type. This can be used to consider a generalization of Ocneanu's tube algebra in order to reveal the algebraic structure of the excitations associated with certain 3d manifolds.

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arXiv2018

Quasi-local holographic dualities in non-perturbative 3d quantum gravity

We present a line of research aimed at investigating holographic dualities in the context of three dimensional quantum gravity within finite bounded regions. The bulk quantum geometrodynamics is provided by the Ponzano-Regge state-sum model, which defines 3d quantum gravity as a discrete topological quantum field theory (TQFT). This formulation provides an explicit and detailed definition of the quantum boundary states, which allows a rich correspondence between quantum boundary conditions and boundary theories, thereby leading to holographic dualities between 3d quantum gravity and 2d statistical models as used in condensed matter. After presenting the general framework, we focus on the concrete example of the coherent twisted torus boundary, which allows for a direct comparison with other approaches to 3d/2d holography at asymptotic infinity. We conclude with the most interesting questions to pursue in this framework.

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arXiv2018

Cosmological constant from condensation of defect excitations

A key challenge for many quantum gravity approaches is to construct states that describe smooth geometries on large scales. Here we define a family of $(2+1)$-dimensional quantum gravity states which arise from curvature excitations concentrated at point like defects and describe homogeneously curved geometries on large scales. These states represent therefore vacua for three-dimensional gravity with different values of the cosmological constant. They can be described by an anomaly-free first class constraint algebra quantized on one and the same Hilbert space for different values of the cosmological constant. A similar construction is possible in four dimensions, in this case the curvature is concentrated along string-like defects and the states are vacua of the Crane-Yetter model. We will sketch applications for quantum cosmology and condensed matter.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

The Degrees of Freedom of Area Regge Calculus: Dynamics, Non-metricity, and Broken Diffeomorphisms

Discretization of general relativity is a promising route towards quantum gravity. Discrete geometries have a finite number of degrees of freedom and can mimic aspects of quantum geometry. However, selection of the correct discrete freedoms and description of their dynamics has remained a challenging problem. We explore classical area Regge calculus, an alternative to standard Regge calculus where instead of lengths, the areas of a simplicial discretization are fundamental. There are a number of surprises: though the equations of motion impose flatness we show that diffeomorphism symmetry is broken for a large class of area Regge geometries. This is due to degrees of freedom not available in the length calculus. In particular, an area discretization only imposes that the areas of glued simplicial faces agrees; their shapes need not be the same. We enumerate and characterize these non-metric, or `twisted', degrees of freedom and provide tools for understanding their dynamics. The non-metric degrees of freedom also lead to fewer invariances of the area Regge action---in comparison to the length action---under local changes of the triangulation (Pachner moves). This means that invariance properties can be used to classify the dynamics of spin foam models. Our results lay a promising foundation for understanding the dynamics of the non-metric degrees of freedom in loop quantum gravity and spin foams.

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arXiv2017

Quasi-local holographic dualities in non-perturbative 3d quantum gravity I - Convergence of multiple approaches and examples of Ponzano-Regge statistical duals

This is the first of a series of papers dedicated to the study of the partition function of three-dimensional quantum gravity on the twisted solid torus with the aim to deepen our understanding of holographic dualities from a non-perturbative quantum gravity perspective. Our aim is to compare the Ponzano-Regge model for non-perturbative three-dimensional quantum gravity with the previous perturbative calculations of this partition function. We begin by reviewing the results obtained in the past ten years via a wealth of different approaches, and then introduce the Ponzano--Regge model in a self-contained way. Thanks to the topological nature of three-dimensional quantum gravity we can solve exactly for the bulk degrees of freedom and identify dual boundary theories which depend on the choice of boundary states, that can also describe finite, non-asymptotic boundaries. This series of papers aims precisely at the investigation of the role played by the different quantum boundary conditions leading to different boundary theories. Here, we will describe the spin network boundary states for the Ponzano-Regge model on the twisted torus and derive the general expression for the corresponding partition functions. We identify a class of boundary states describing a tessellation with maximally fuzzy squares for which the partition function can be explicitly evaluated. In the limit case of a large, but finely discretized, boundary we find a dependence on the Dehn twist angle characteristic for the BMS3 character. We furthermore show how certain choices of boundary states lead to known statistical models as dual field theories-but with a twist.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Quasi-local holographic dualities in non-perturbative 3d quantum gravity II - From coherent quantum boundaries to BMS3 characters

We analyze the partition function of three-dimensional quantum gravity on the twisted solid tours and the ensuing dual field theory. The setting is that of a non-perturbative model of three dimensional quantum gravity--the Ponzano-Regge model, that we briefly review in a self-contained manner--which can be used to compute quasi-local amplitudes for its boundary states. In this second paper of the series, we choose a particular class of boundary spin-network states which impose Gibbons-Hawking-York boundary conditions to the partition function. The peculiarity of these states is to encode a two-dimensional quantum geometry peaked around a classical quadrangulation of the finite toroidal boundary. Thanks to the topological properties of three-dimensional gravity, the theory easily projects onto the boundary while crucially still keeping track of the topological properties of the bulk. This produces, at the non-perturbative level, a specific non-linear sigma-model on the boundary, akin to a Wess-Zumino-Novikov-Witten model, whose classical equations of motion can be used to reconstruct different bulk geometries: the expected classical one is accompanied by other "quantum" solutions. The classical regime of the sigma-model becomes reliable in the limit of large boundary spins, which coincides with the semiclassical limit of the boundary geometry. In a 1-loop approximation around the solutions to the classical equations of motion, we recover (with corrections due to the non-classical bulk geometries) results obtained in the past via perturbative quantum General Relativity and through the study of characters of the BMS3 group. The exposition is meant to be completely self-contained.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

From 3D topological quantum field theories to 4D models with defects

(2+1) dimensional topological quantum field theories with defect excitations are by now quite well understood, while many questions are still open for (3+1) dimensional TQFTs. Here we propose a strategy to lift states and operators of a (2+1) dimensional TQFT to states and operators of a (3+1) dimensional theory with defects. The main technical tool are Heegard splittings, which allow to encode the topology of a three--dimensional manifold with line defects into a two--dimensional Heegard surface. We apply this idea to the example of BF theory which describes locally flat connections. This shows in particular how the curvature excitation generating surface operators of the (3+1) dimensional theory can be obtained from closed ribbon operators of the (2+1) dimensional BF theory. We hope that this technique allows the construction and study of more general models based on unitary fusion categories.

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arXiv2017

Can chaos be observed in quantum gravity?

Full general relativity is almost certainly 'chaotic'. We argue that this entails a notion of nonintegrability: a generic general relativistic model, at least when coupled to cosmologically interesting matter, likely possesses neither differentiable Dirac observables nor a reduced phase space. It follows that the standard notion of observable has to be extended to include non-differentiable or even discontinuous generalized observables. These cannot carry Poisson-algebraic structures and do not admit a standard quantization; one thus faces a quantum representation problem of gravitational observables. This has deep consequences for a quantum theory of gravity, which we investigate in a simple model for a system with Hamiltonian constraint that fails to be completely integrable. We show that basing the quantization on standard topology precludes a semiclassical limit and can even prohibit any solutions to the quantum constraints. Our proposed solution to this problem is to refine topology such that a complete set of Dirac observables becomes continuous. In the toy model, it turns out that a refinement to a polymer-type topology, as e.g. used in loop gravity, is sufficient. Basing quantization of the toy model on this finer topology, we find a complete set of quantum Dirac observables and a suitable semiclassical limit. This strategy is applicable to realistic candidate theories of quantum gravity and thereby suggests a solution to a long-standing problem which implies ramifications for the very concept of quantization. Our work reveals a qualitatively novel facet of chaos in physics and opens up a new avenue of research on chaos in gravity which hints at deep insights into the structure of quantum gravity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Fusion basis for lattice gauge theory and loop quantum gravity

We introduce a new basis for the gauge-invariant Hilbert space of lattice gauge theory and loop quantum gravity in $(2+1)$ dimensions, the fusion basis. In doing so, we shift the focus from the original lattice (or spin-network) structure directly to that of the magnetic (curvature) and electric (torsion) excitations themselves. These excitations are classified by the irreducible representations of the Drinfel'd double of the gauge group, and can be readily "fused" together by studying the tensor product of such representations. We will also describe in detail the ribbon operators that create and measure these excitations and make the quasi-local structure of the observable algebra explicit. Since the fusion basis allows for both magnetic and electric excitations from the onset, it turns out to be a precious tool for studying the large scale structure and coarse-graining flow of lattice gauge theories and loop quantum gravity. This is in neat contrast with the widely used spin-network basis, in which it is much more complicated to account for electric excitations, i.e. for Gauß~constraint violations, emerging at larger scales. Moreover, since the fusion basis comes equipped with a hierarchical structure, it readily provides the language to design states with sophisticated multi-scale structures. Another way to employ this hierarchical structure is to encode a notion of subsystems for lattice gauge theories and $(2+1)$ gravity coupled to point particles. In a follow-up work, we will exploit this notion to provide a new definition of entanglement entropy for these theories.

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