The quantum theory of second class constraints: Kinematics

The problem of second class quantum constraints is here set up in the context ofC*-algebras, utilizing the connection with state conditions as given by the heuristic quantization rules. That is, a constraint set is said to be first class if all its members can satisfy the same state condition, and second class otherwise. Several heuristic models are examined, and they all agree with this definition. Given then a second class constraint set, we separate out its first class part as all those constraints which are compatible with the others, and we propose an algebraic construction for imposition of the constraints. This construction reduces to the normal one when the constraints are first class. Moreover, the physical automorphisms (assumed as conserving the constraints) will also respect this construction. The final physical algebra obtained is free of constraints, gauge invariant, unital, and with the right choice, simple. ThisC*-algebra also contains a factor algebra of the usual observables, i.e. the commutator algebra of the constraints. The general theory is applied to two examples—the elimination of a canonical pair from a boson field theory, as in the two dimensional anomalous chiral Schwinger model of Rajaraman [14], and the imposition of quadratic second class constraints on a linear boson field theory.     

The quantum theory of second class constraints: Kinematics

Communicated by H. Araki     

Correspondence principle constraints on quantum gravity

The construction of effective low energy lagrangians in quantum gravity is examined. It is concluded that a finite perturbative S-matrix does not uniquely determine the effective theory, and that a non-perturbative approach is essential. A spectrum consisting of massive towers (such as in string theory) is ruled out.     

Geometry of Virasoro constraints in nonperturbative 2-d quantum gravity

The string equation and the Virasoro constraints for arbitrary hermitian multimatrix models are derived using the Lie-Bäcklund symmetries of the generalised KdV equations. From this point of view the origin of the string equation and the meaning of the Virasoro constraints are explained. Some speculation about the appearance of extra constraints, which we suspect to be theW-constraints, is also given.     

High-energy gravity and the very early universe

It is suggested that gravity may not be asymptotically free at short distances because of the interaction of the graviton with matter. If gravity indeed becomes strong at high energies, a revolutionary change of our present theory on the early universe would seem to be necessary. During the first extremely small fraction of a second in the big-bang universe, gravity would have been so strong that it might not have been described by Einstein's theory of general relativity. The possibility of abnormally strong gravity at high energies or short distances is discussed in some detail. A possible explanation is proposed for the nonvanishing mean baryon number density of the universe. It is also pointed out that the universe may well escape from the catastrophic singularity of Penrose and Hawking.     

High-energy quantum mechanics and dynamical quantization

A generalization of quantum mechanics is developed for the one-particle one-dimensional case. The position operator eigenvalues, i.e. the physical space, are determined by the energy in our approach. Some of the results obtained are reminiscent of experimental facts characteristic of high-energy physics.     

New realizations of observables in dynamical systems with second class constraints

In the Dirac bracket approach to dynamical systems with second class constraints observables are represented by elements of a quotient Dirac bracket algebra. We describe families of new realizations of this algebra through quotients of the original Poisson bracket algebra. Explicit expressions for generators and brackets of the algebras under consideration are found.     

Bohm's quantum potentials and quantum gravity

A generally covariant theory, written in the spirit of Bohm's theory of quantum potentials, which applies to spinless, non interacting, gravitating systems, is formulated. In this theory the quantum state is coupled to the metric tensor g, and the effect of the quantum potential is absorbed in the geometry. At the same time, satisfies a covariant wave equation with respect to the very same g. This provides sufficient constraints to derive 11 coupled equations in the 11 unknowns: and the components of the metric tensor g_µv. The states of stable localized particles are identified, and vacuum-state solutions for both the Euclidean and the Lorentzian case are explicitly presented.     

Foundational problems in quantum gravity and quantum cosmology

The conventionalistically based instrumentalist epistemology and methodology underlying the various approaches to the quantization of gravity is contrasted with the operationally based logical analysis practiced by the founders of relativity theory and quantum mechanics in developing their respective disciplines. The foundational problems to which they give rise are described. Their origins are traced to instrumentalist practices which have been in the past the objects of criticisms by Dirac, Heisenberg, Born, and others, but which have nevertheless prevailed in relativistic quantum physics after the emergence of the conventional renormalization program. The operationally based premises of a recently developed geometro-stochastic approach to the quantization of gravity are analyzed. It is shown that their roots lie in the epistemology adopted by the founders of relativity theory and quantum mechanics, and that they reflect a conceptualization of quantum reality which offers the possibility of a resolution of the main foundational problems encountered by the other approaches to quantum gravity.     

Conversion of second class constraints by deformation of Lagrangian local symmetries

For a theory with first and second class constraints, we propose a procedure for conversion of second class constraints based on deformation the structure of local symmetries of the Lagrangian formulation. It does not require extension or reduction of configuration space of the theory. We give examples in which the initial formulation implies a nonlinear realization of some global symmetries, therefore is not convenient. The conversion reveals hidden symmetry presented in the theory. The extra gauge freedom of conversed version is used to search for a parameterization which linearizes the equations of motion. We apply the above procedure to membrane theory (in the formulation with world-volume metric). In the resulting version, all the metric components are gauge degrees of freedom. The above procedure works also in a theory with only second class constraints presented. As an examples, we discuss arbitrary dynamical system of classical mechanics subject to kinematic constraints, O(N)$O(N)$-invariant nonlinear sigma-model, and the theory of massive vector field with Maxwell–Proca Lagrangian.     

Time and quantum gravity

The role of time in the interpretation of quantum mechanics and quantum gravity are analyzed, and changes to the form of quantum gravity to make it interpretable are suggested.     

Logics and quantum gravity

We consider the logic needed for models of quantum gravity, taking as our starting point a simple pregeometric toy model based on graph theory. First a discussion of quantum logic seen in the light of canonical quantum gravity is given, then a simple toy model is proposed and the logical structure underlying it exposed. It is then shown that this logic is nonclassical and in fact contains quantum logics as special cases. We then go on to show how Yang-Mills theory and quantum mechanics fits in. A single mathematical structure is proposed capable of containing all these subjects in a natural and elegant way. Causality plays an important role. The mere presence of a causal relation almost inevitably yields this kind of logic.     

Scaling in quantum gravity

The 2-point function is the natural object in quantum gravity for extracting critical behavior: The exponential falloff of the 2-point function with geodesic distance determines the fractal dimension d_H of space-time. The integral of the 2-point function determines the entropy exponent γ, i.e. the fractal structure related to baby universes, while the short distance behavior of the 2-point function connects γ and d_H by a quantum gravity version of Fisher's scaling relation. We verify this behavior in the case of 2d gravity by explicit calculation.     

Continuum-regularized quantum gravity

The recent continuum regularization ofd-dimensional Euclidean gravity is generalized to arbitrary power-law measure and studied in some detail as a representative example of coordinate-invariant regularization. The weak-coupling expansion of the theory illustrates a generic geometrization of regularized Schwinger-Dyson rules, generalizing previous rules in flat space and flat superspace. The rules are applied in a non-trivial explicit check of Einstein invariance at one loop: The cosmological counterterm is computed and its contribution is included in a verification that the graviton mass is zero.     

Exact uncertainty approach in quantum mechanics and quantum gravity

The assumption that an ensemble of classical particles is subject to nonclassical momentum fluctuations, with the fluctuation uncertainty fully determined by the position uncertainty, has been shown to lead from the classical equations of motion to the Schrödinger equation. This ‘exact uncertainty’ approach may be generalised to ensembles of gravitational fields, where nonclassical fluctuations are added to the field momentum densities, of a magnitude determined by the uncertainty in the metric tensor components. In this way one obtains the Wheeler-DeWitt equation of quantum gravity, with the added bonus of a uniquely specified operator ordering. No a priori assumptions are required concerning the existence of wave functions, Hilbert spaces, Planck's constant, linear operators, etc. Thus this approach has greater transparency than the usual canonical approach, particularly in regard to the connections between quantum and classical ensembles. Conceptual foundations and advantages are emphasised.