Approaches to Quantum Gravity: Toward a New Understanding of Space, Time and Matter

Cambridge University Press
Edition: Illustrated, 3/5/2009
EAN 9780521860451, ISBN10: 0521860458

Hardcover, 604 pages, 25.4 x 18 x 3 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English

The theory of quantum gravity promises a revolutionary new understanding of gravity and spacetime, valid from microscopic to cosmological distances. Research in this field involves an exciting blend of rigorous mathematics and bold speculations, foundational questions and technical issues. Containing contributions from leading researchers in this field, this book presents the fundamental issues involved in the construction of a quantum theory of gravity and building up a quantum picture of space and time. It introduces the most current approaches to this problem, and reviews their main achievements. Each part ends in questions and answers, in which the contributors explore the merits and problems of the various approaches. This book provides a complete overview of this field from the frontiers of theoretical physics research for graduate students and researchers.

Preface
Part I. Fundamental Ideas and General Formalisms
1. Unfinished revolution C. Rovelli
2. The fundamental nature of space and time G. 't Hooft
3. Does locality fail at intermediate length scales R. Sorkin
4. Prolegomena to any future quantum gravity J. Stachel
5. Spacetime symmetries in histories canonical gravity N. Savvidou
6. Categorical geometry and the mathematical foundations of quantum gravity L. Crane
7. Emergent relativity O. Dreyer
8. Asymptotic safety R. Percacci
9. New directions in background independent quantum gravity F. Markopoulou
Questions and answers
Part II
10. Gauge/gravity duality G. Horowitz and J. Polchinski
11. String theory, holography and quantum gravity T. Banks
12. String field theory W. Taylor
Questions and answers
Part III
13. Loop Quantum Gravity T. Thiemann
14. Covariant loop quantum gravity? E. LIvine
15. The spin foam representation of loop quantum gravity A. Perez
16. 3-dimensional spin foam quantum gravity L. Freidel
17. The group field theory approach to quantum gravity D. Oriti
Questions and answers
Part IV. Discrete Quantum Gravity
18. Quantum gravity
the art of building spacetime J. Ambjørn, J. Jurkiewicz and R. Loll
19. Quantum Regge calculations R. Williams
20. Consistent discretizations as a road to quantum gravity R. Gambini and J. Pullin
21. The causal set approach to quantum gravity J. Henson
Questions and answers
Part V. Effective Models and Quantum Gravity Phenomenology
22. Quantum gravity phenomenology G. Amelino-Camelia
23. Quantum gravity and precision tests C. Burgess
24. Algebraic approach to quantum gravity II
non-commutative spacetime F. Girelli
25. Doubly special relativity J. Kowalski-Glikman
26. From quantum reference frames to deformed special relativity F. Girelli
27. Lorentz invariance violation and its role in quantum gravity phenomenology J. Collins, A. Perez and D. Sudarsky
28. Generic predictions of quantum theories of gravity L. Smolin
Questions and answers
Index.