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Martin Reuter

Publications and source records attributed to Martin Reuter.

70 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
arXiv2009

Bare vs. Effective Fixed Point Action in Asymptotic Safety: The Reconstruction Problem

We propose a method for the (re)-construction of a regularized functional integral, well defined in the ultraviolet limit, from a solution of the functional renormalization group equation of the effective average action. The functional integral is required to reproduce this solution. The method is of particular interest for asymptotically safe theories. The bare action for the Einstein-Hilbert truncation of Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG) is computed and its flow is analyzed. As a second example conformally reduced gravity is explored. Various conceptual issues related to the reconstruction problem are discussed.

hep-th↗
arXiv2009

Conformal sector of Quantum Einstein Gravity in the local potential approximation: non-Gaussian fixed point and a phase of unbroken diffeomorphism invariance

We explore the nonperturbative renormalization group flow of Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG) on an infinite dimensional theory space. We consider "conformally reduced" gravity where only fluctuations of the conformal factor are quantized and employ the Local Potential Approximation for its effective average action. The requirement of "background independence" in quantum gravity entails a partial differential equation governing the scale dependence of the potential for the conformal factor which differs significantly from that of a scalar matter field. In the infinite dimensional space of potential functions we find a Gaussian as well as a non-Gaussian fixed point which provides further evidence for the viability of the asymptotic safety scenario. The analog of the invariant cubic in the curvature which spoils perturbative renormalizability is seen to be unproblematic for the asymptotic safety of the conformally reduced theory. The scaling fields and dimensions of both fixed points are obtained explicitly and possible implications for the predictivity of the theory are discussed. Spacetime manifolds with $R^d$ as well as $S^d$ topology are considered. Solving the flow equation for the potential numerically we obtain examples of renormalization group trajectories inside the ultraviolet critical surface of the non-Gaussian fixed point. The quantum theories based upon some of them show a phase transition from the familiar (low energy) phase of gravity with spontaneously broken diffeomorphism invariance to a new phase of unbroken diffeomorphism invariance; the latter phase is characterized by a vanishing expectation value of the metric.

hep-th↗
arXiv2009

The role of Background Independence for Asymptotic Safety in Quantum Einstein Gravity

We discuss various basic conceptual issues related to coarse graining flows in quantum gravity. In particular the requirement of background independence is shown to lead to renormalization group (RG) flows which are significantly different from their analogs on a rigid background spacetime. The importance of these findings for the asymptotic safety approach to Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG) is demonstrated in a simplified setting where only the conformal factor is quantized. We identify background independence as a (the ?) key prerequisite for the existence of a non-Gaussian RG fixed point and the renormalizability of QEG.

hep-th↗
arXiv2008

Bare Action and Regularized Functional Integral of Asymptotically Safe Quantum Gravity

Investigations of Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG) based upon the effective average action employ a flow equation which does not contain any ultraviolet (UV) regulator. Its renormalization group trajectories emanating from a non-Gaussian fixed point define asymptotically safe quantum field theories. A priori these theories are, somewhat unusually, given in terms of their effective rather than bare action. In this paper we construct a functional integral representation of these theories. We fix a regularized measure and show that every trajectory of effective average actions, depending on an IR cutoff only, induces an associated trajectory of bare actions which depend on a UV cutoff. Together with the regularized measure these bare actions give rise to a functional integral which reproduces the prescribed effective action when the UV cutoff is removed. In this way we are able to reconstruct the underlying microscopic ("classical") system and identify its fundamental degrees of freedom and interactions. The bare action of the Einstein-Hilbert truncation is computed and its flow is analyzed as an example. Various conceptual issues related to the completion of the asymptotic safety program are discussed.

hep-th↗
arXiv2008

Effective Potential of the Conformal Factor: Gravitational Average Action and Dynamical Triangulations

We discuss the effective potential of the conformal factor in the effective average action approach to Quantum Einstein Gravity. Without invoking any truncation or other approximations we show that if the theory has has a non-Gaussian ultraviolet fixed point and is asymptotically safe the potential has a characteristic behavior near the origin. We argue that this characteristic behavior has already been observed in numerical simulations within the Causal Dynamical Triangulation approach.

hep-th↗
arXiv2008

Primordial Entropy Production and Lambda-driven Inflation from Quantum Einstein Gravity

We review recent work on renormalization group (RG) improved cosmologies based upon a RG trajectory of Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG) with realistic parameter values. In particular we argue that QEG effects can account for the entire entropy of the present Universe in the massless sector and give rise to a phase of inflationary expansion. This phase is a pure quantum effect and requires no classical inflaton field.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2008

Background Independence and Asymptotic Safety in Conformally Reduced Gravity

We analyze the conceptual role of background independence in the application of the effective average action to quantum gravity. Insisting on a background independent renormalization group (RG) flow the coarse graining operation must be defined in terms of an unspecified variable metric since no rigid metric of a fixed background spacetime is available. This leads to an extra field dependence in the functional RG equation and a significantly different RG flow in comparison to the standard flow equation with a rigid metric in the mode cutoff. The background independent RG flow can possess a non-Gaussian fixed point, for instance, even though the corresponding standard one does not. We demonstrate the importance of this universal, essentially kinematical effect by computing the RG flow of Quantum Einstein Gravity in the ``conformally reduced'' Einstein--Hilbert approximation which discards all degrees of freedom contained in the metric except the conformal one. Without the extra field dependence the resulting RG flow is that of a simple $ϕ^4$-theory. Including it one obtains a flow with exactly the same qualitative properties as in the full Einstein--Hilbert truncation. In particular it possesses the non-Gaussian fixed point which is necessary for asymptotic safety.

hep-th↗
arXiv2007

Functional Renormalization Group Equations, Asymptotic Safety, and Quantum Einstein Gravity

These lecture notes provide a pedagogical introduction to a specific continuum implementation of the Wilsonian renormalization group, the effective average action. Its general properties and, in particular, its functional renormalization group equation are explained in a simple scalar setting. The approach is then applied to Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG). The possibility of constructing a fundamental theory of quantum gravity in the framework of Asymptotic Safety is discussed and the supporting evidence is summarized.

hep-th↗
arXiv2007

Entropy signature of the running cosmological constant

Renormalization group (RG) improved cosmologies based upon a RG trajectory of Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG) with realistic parameter values are investigated using a system of cosmological evolution equations which allows for an unrestricted energy exchange between the vacuum and the matter sector. It is demonstrated that the scale dependence of the gravitational parameters, the cosmological constant in particular, leads to an entropy production in the matter system. The picture emerges that the Universe started out from a state of vanishing entropy, and that the radiation entropy observed today is essentially due to the coarse graining (RG flow) in the quantum gravity sector which is related to the expansion of the Universe. Furthermore, the RG improved field equations are shown to possess solutions with an epoch of power law inflation immediately after the initial singularity. The inflation is driven by the cosmological constant and ends automatically once the RG running has reduced the vacuum energy to the level of the matter energy density.

hep-th↗
arXiv2006

Scale-dependent metric and causal structures in Quantum Einstein Gravity

Within the asymptotic safety scenario for gravity various conceptual issues related to the scale dependence of the metric are analyzed. The running effective field equations implied by the effective average action of Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG) and the resulting families of resolution dependent metrics are discussed. The status of scale dependent vs. scale independent diffeomorphisms is clarified, and the difference between isometries implemented by scale dependent and independent Killing vectors is explained. A concept of scale dependent causality is proposed and illustrated by various simple examples. The possibility of assigning an "intrinsic length" to objects in a QEG spacetime is also discussed.

hep-th↗
arXiv2006

Scale Dependent Metric and Minimal Length in QEG

The possibility of a minimal physical length in quantum gravity is discussed within the asymptotic safety approach. Using a specific mathematical model for length measurements ("COM microscope") it is shown that the spacetimes of Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG) based upon a special class of renormalization group trajectories are "fuzzy" in the sense that there is a minimal coordinate separation below which two points cannot be resolved.

hep-th↗
arXiv2005

A Minimal Length from the Cutoff Modes in Asymptotically Safe Quantum Gravity

Within asymptotically safe Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG), the quantum 4-sphere is discussed as a specific example of a fractal spacetime manifold. The relation between the infrared cutoff built into the effective average action and the corresponding coarse graining scale is investigated. Analyzing the properties of the pertinent cutoff modes, the possibility that QEG generates a minimal length scale dynamically is explored. While there exists no minimal proper length, the QEG sphere appears to be "fuzzy" in the sense that there is a minimal angular separation below which two points cannot be resolved by the cutoff modes.

hep-th↗
arXiv2000

Newton's Constant isn't constant

This article contains a brief pedagogical introduction to various renormalization group related aspects of quantum gravity with an emphasis on the scale dependence of Newton's constant and on black hole physics.

hep-th↗
arXiv1999

Quantum Gravity effects near the null black hole singularity

The structure of the Cauchy Horizon singularity of a black hole formed in a generic collapse is studied by means of a renormalization group equation for quantum gravity. It is shown that during the early evolution of the Cauchy Horizon the increase of the mass function is damped when quantum fluctuations of the metric are taken into account.

gr-qc↗
arXiv1997

Constant External Fields in Gauge Theory and the Spin 0, 1/2, 1 Path Integrals

We investigate the usefulness of the "string-inspired technique" for gauge theory calculations in a constant external field background. Our approach is based on Strassler's worldline path integral approach to the Bern-Kosower formalism, and on the construction of worldline (super--) Green's functions incorporating external fields as well as internal propagators. The worldline path integral representation of the gluon loop is reexamined in detail. We calculate the two-loop effective actions induced for a constant external field by a scalar and spinor loop, and the corresponding one-loop effective action in the gluon loop case.

hep-th↗