Loop Quantum Gravity: Lee Smolin [2

The geometry of quantum spin networks

The discrete picture of geometry arising from the loop representation of quantum gravity can be extended by a quantum deformation. The operators for area and volume defined in the q-deformation of the theory are partly diagonalized. The eigenstates are expressed in terms of q-deformed spin networks. The q-deformation breaks some of the degeneracy of the volume operator so that trivalent spin-ne...

Discreteness of Area and Volume in Quantum Gravity

We study the operator that corresponds to the measurement of volume, in non-perturbative quantum gravity, and we compute its spectrum. The operator is constructed in the loop representation, via a regularization procedure; it is finite, background independent, and diffeomorphism-invariant, and therefore well defined on the space of diffeomorphism invariant states (knot states). We find that the...

Linking Topological Quantum Eld Theory and Nonperturbative Quantum Gravity

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS in NONPERTURBATIVE QUANTUM GRAVITY

New results from the new variables/loop representation program of nonperturbative quantum gravity are presented, with a focus on results of Ashtekar, Rovelli and the author which greatly clarify the physical interpretation of the quantum states in the loop representation. These include: 1) The construction of a class of states which approximate smooth metrics for length measurements on scales, ...

An invitation to Loop Quantum Gravity

We describe the basic assumptions and key results of loop quantum gravity, which is a background independent approach to quantum gravity. The emphasis is on the basic physical principles and how one deduces predictions from them, at a level suitable for physicists in other areas such as string theory, cosmology, particle physics, astrophysics and condensed matter physics. No details are given, ...