arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to P. Homolka.
We compare different models of a quantum theory of four-dimensional lattice gravity based on Regge's original proposal. From Monte Carlo simulations we calculate two-point functions between geometrical quantities and estimate the masses of the corresponding interaction particles.
We examine the phase structure of pure Regge gravity in four dimensions and compare our Monte Carlo results with $Z_2$-link Regge-theory as well as with another formulation of lattice gravity derived from group theoretical considerations. Within all three models we find an extension of the well-defined phase to negative gravitational coupling and a new phase transition. In contrast to the well-known transition at positive coupling there is evidence for a continuous phase transition which might be essential for a possible continuum limit.
A new method for nonperturbative investigations of quantum gravity is presented in which the simplicial path integral is approximated by the partition function of a spin system. This facilitates analytical and numerical computations considerably. In two dimensions equivalence to an Ising model with ternary couplings is recovered. First simulations in four dimensions indicate strong similarities to the phase structure of original Regge theory.