Towards a theory of spacetime structure at very short distances

Renormalization-group arguments are summarized which suggest that at distances shorter than the Planck length the spacetime geometry should be asymptotically scale invariant. A new locally scale-invariant extension of general relativity is then proposed based on Weyl's conformally invariant geometry. It is shown that if the theory contains a Higgs phase, then it reduces to Einstein's theory in the limit of large distances. Finally, the theory incorporates the non-linear sigma model, which suggests a new approach to the calculation of non-perturbative, short-distance effects in quantum gravity.     

A deformed relativity with the quantum ℏ

Quantum relativity as a generalized, or rather deformed, version of Einstein relativity may offer a new framework to think about the structure of space–time at the true microscopic/quantum level. The approach typically gives some picture of a noncommutative (quantum) space–time. We propose a formulation with two deformations implemented on the Poincaré symmetry, using the independent Planck mass and Planck length as the invariant constraints. Together, they give the quantum ?  . The scheme leads to SO(2,4)$\mathit{SO}(2,4)$ as the relativity symmetry. We present a linear realization on a classical six-geometry beyond the familiar setting of space–time. Two extra coordinates to be considered as neither space nor time are needed. The last deformation step implementing the Planck length invariant constraines the six-geometry, as an extension of 4D space–time, giving it the structure of a AdS hypersurface. The resulted quantum world hence does not admit coordinate translation symmetries, which terminates further extension to an unstable symmetry. The quantum world is shown to be parallel to the “conformal universe”, but not scale invariant.     

Robustness of the inflationary perturbation spectrum to trans-Planckian physics

It is inspected whether the predictions of the inflationary scenario regarding the spectra of scalar and tensor perturbations generated by quantum vacuum fluctuations are robust with respect to the modification of the dispersion law for frequencies beyond the Planck scale. For a large class of such modifications of special and general relativity, for which the WKB condition is not violated at ultrahigh frequencies, the predictions remain unchanged. The opposite possibility is excluded because of the absence of a large amount of particles created due to the Universe expansion. The creation of particles in the quantum state minimizing the energy density of a given mode at the moment of Planck boundary crossing is also prohibited by the latter argument (contrary to the creation in the adiabatic vacuum state, which is very small now).     

Extended Scale Relativity, p-Loop Harmonic Oscillator, and Logarithmic Corrections to the Black Hole Entropy

An extended scale relativity theory, actively developed by one of the authors, incorporates Nottale's scale relativity principle where the Planck scale is the minimum impassible invariant scale in Nature, and the use of polyvector-valued coordinates in C-spaces (Clifford manifolds) where all lengths, areas, volumes are treated on equal footing. We study the generalization of the ordinary point-particle quantum mechanical oscillator to the p-loop (a closed p-brane) case in C-spaces. Its solution exhibits some novel features: an emergence of two explicit scales delineating the asymptotic regimes (Planck scale region and a smooth region of a quantum point oscillator). In the most interesting Planck scale regime, the solution recovers in an elementary fashion some basic relations of string theory (including string tension quantization and string uncertainty relation). It is shown that the degeneracy of the first collective excited state of the p-loop oscillator yields not only the well-known Bekenstein–Hawking area-entropy linear relation but also the logarithmic corrections therein. In addition we obtain for any number of dimensions the Hawking temperature, the Schwarschild radius, and the inequalities governing the area of a black hole formed in a fusion of two black holes. One of the interesting results is a demonstration that the evaporation of a black hole is limited by the upper bound on its temperature, the Planck temperature.     

A Consistency Check for the Free Scalar Field Theory Realization of the Doubly Spacial Relativity *

We study a free scalar field theory in the framework of the Magueijo-Smolin model of the "Doubly Special Relativity" (DSR) which is a non-linear realization of the action of the Lorentz group on momentum space admitting an invariant energy cutoff. We show that unlike the standard quantum field theory, the Klein-Gordon equation obtained via Euler-Lagrange field equation and Heisenberg picture equation of motion of the field are not equivalent in this framework, at least up to the first order of the Planck length scale.     

Does the planck mass run on the cosmological-horizon scale?

Einstein's theory of general relativity contains a universal value of the Planck mass. However, one may envisage that in alternative theories of gravity the effective value of the Planck mass (or Newton's constant), which quantifies the coupling of matter to metric perturbations, can run on the cosmological-horizon scale. In this Letter, we study the consequences of a glitch in the Planck mass from subhorizon to superhorizon scales. We show that current cosmological observations severely constrain this glitch to less than 1.2%.     

Massive Gauge Fields and the Planck Scale

No Heading The present work is devoted to massive gauge fields in special relativity with two fundamental constants- the velocity of light, and the Planck length, so called doubly special relativity (DSR). The two invariant scales are accounted for by properly modified boost parameters. Within above framework we construct the vector potential as the (1/2, 0) (0, 1/2) direct product, build the associated field strength tensor together with the Dirac spinors and use them to calculate various observables as functions of the Planck length.     

Physical continuum and the problem of a finitistic quantum field theory

To formulate a finitistic quantum field theory, the hypothesis is made that the continuum of space and time is countable possessing the cardinal number ₀. With the integers having the same cardinal number, it is therefore assumed that distances in space and time can be expressed only in integer multiples of a fundamental length and time. To preserve the condition of causality, a quantized field theory derived under this assumption must be expressed in absolute space and time, with the field equation invariant under Galilei transformations. It is shown that such a theory not only can be formulated in full agreement with all the postulates of quantum mechanics, but that it leads to Lorentz invariance as a dynamic symmetry in the limit of low energies. If the smallest length and time are chosen to be equal to the Planck length and time, respectively, observable departures from the predictions of special relativity would become effective only in approaching the Planck energy of 10¹⁹ GeV.     

Loop quantum cosmology with a non-commutative quantum deformed photon gas

The non-commutativity of the space-time had important implications for the very early Universe, when its size was of the order of the Planck length. An important implication of this effect is the deformation of the standard dispersion relation of special relativity. Moreover, in the Planck regime gravity itself must be described by a quantum theory. We consider the implications of the modified dispersion relations for a photon gas, filling the early Universe, in the framework of loop quantum cosmology, a theoretical approach to quantum gravity. We consider three types of deformations of the dispersion relations of the photon gas, from which we obtain the Planck scale corrections to the energy density and pressure. The cosmological implications of the modified equations of state are explored in detail for all radiation models in the framework of the modified Friedmann equation of loop quantum cosmology. By numerically integrating the evolution equations we investigate the evolution of the basic cosmological parameters (scale factor, Hubble function, radiation temperature, and deceleration parameter) for a deformed photon gas filled Universe. In all models the evolution of the Universe shows the presence of a (nonsingular) bounce, corresponding to the transition from a contracting to an expanding phase.     

A Study of Gaugeon Formalism for QED in Lorentz Violating Background

At the energy regimes close to Planck scales, the usual structure of Lorentz symmetry fails to address certain fundamental issues and eventually breaks down, thus paving the way for an alternative road map. It is thus argued that some subgroup of proper Lorentz group could stand consistent and might possibly help us to circumvent this problem.It is this subgroup that goes by the name of Very Special Relativity(VSR). Apart from violating rotational symmetry,VSR is believed to preserve the very tenets of special relativity. The gaugeon formalism due to type-I Yokoyama and type-II Izawa are found to be invariant under BRST symmetry. In this paper, we analyze the scope of this invariance in the scheme of VSR. Furthermore, we will obtain VSR modified Lagrangian density using path integral derivation. We will explore the consistency of VSR with regard to these theories.     

Three Flavor Neutrino Mixing and Dark Energy Above GUT Scale

Neutrino mixing lead to a non zero contribution to the dark energy of the universe. We assume that the neutrino masses and mixing arise through physics at a scale intermediate between Planck Scale and the electroweak scale. The mechanism of neutrino mixing is a possible candidate to contribute the cosmological dark energy. Quantum gravitational (Planck scale) effects lead to an effective SU(2) _L ×U(1) invariant dimension-5 Lagrangian involving neutrino and Higgs fields, which gives rise to additional terms in neutrino mass matrix. There additional term can be considered to be perturbation of the GUT scale bi-maximal neutrino mass matrix. We assume that the gravitational interaction is flavor. In this paper, we discuss the three flavor neutrino mixing and cosmological dark energy contributes due to Planck scale effects.     

Making classical and quantum canonical general relativity computable through a power series expansion in the inverse cosmological constant

We consider general relativity with a cosmological constant as a perturbative expansion around a completely solvable diffeomorphism invariant field theory. This theory is the lambda --> infinity limit of general relativity. This allows an explicit perturbative computational setup in which the quantum states of the theory and the classical observables can be explicitly computed. An unexpected relationship arises at a quantum level between the discrete spectrum of the volume operator and the allowed values of the cosmological constant.     

Gravitational effects in quantum mechanics

To date, both quantum theory and Einstein’s theory of general relativity have passed every experimental test in their respective regimes. Nevertheless, almost since their inception, there has been debate surrounding whether they should be unified, and by now, there exists strong theoretical arguments pointing to the necessity of quantising the gravitational field. In recent years, a number of experiments have been proposed which, if successful, should give insight into features at the Planck scale. Here, we review some of the motivations, from the perspective of semi-classical arguments, to expect new physical effects at the overlap of quantum theory and general relativity. We conclude with a short introduction to some of the proposals being made to facilitate empirical verification.     

Derivation of the Evans Wave Equation from the Lagrangian and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Action</Emphasis>: Origin of the Planck Constant in General Relativity

No Heading The Evans wave equation is derived from the appropriate Lagrangian and action, identifying the origin of the Planck constant in general relativity. The classical Fermat principle of least time, and the classical Hamilton principle of least action, are expressed in terms of a tetrad multiplied by a phase factor exp(iS/), where S is the action in general relativity. Wave (or quantum) mechanics emerges from these classical principles of general relativity for all matter and radiation fields, giving a unified theory of quantum mechanics based on differential geometry and general relativity. The phase factor exp(iS/) is an eigenfunction of the Evans wave equation and is the origin in general relativity and geometry of topological phase effects in physics, including the Aharonov-Bohm class of effects, the Berry phase, the Sagnac effect, related interferometric effects, and all physical optical effects through the Evans spin field B⁽³⁾ and the Stokes theorem in differential geometry. The Planck constant is thus identified as the least amount possible of action or angular momentum or spin in the universe. This is also the origin of the fundamental Evans spin field B⁽³⁾, which is always observed in any physical optical effect. It originates in torsion, spin and the second (or spin) Casimir invariant of the Einstein group. Mass originates in the first Casimir invariant of the Einstein group. These two invariants define any particle.     

Does a varying speed of light solve the cosmological problems?

We propose a new generalisation of general relativity which incorporates a variation in both the speed of light in vacuum (c) and the gravitational constant (G) and which is both covariant and Lorentz invariant. We solve the generalised Einstein equations for Friedmann universes and show that arbitrary time-variations of c and G never lead to a solution to the flatness, horizon or Λ problems for a theory satisfying the strong energy condition. In order to do so, one needs to construct a theory which does not reduce to the standard one for any choice of time, length and energy units. This can be achieved by breaking a number of invariance principles such as covariance and Lorentz invariance.     

Trace Dynamics and a non-commutative special relativity

Trace Dynamics is a classical dynamical theory of non-commuting matrices in which cyclic permutation inside a trace is used to define the derivative with respect to an operator. We use the methods of Trace Dynamics to construct a non-commutative special relativity. We define a line-element using the Trace over space–time coordinates which are assumed to be operators. The line-element is shown to be invariant under standard Lorentz transformations, and is used to construct a non-commutative relativistic dynamics. The eventual motivation for constructing such a non-commutative relativity is to relate the statistical thermodynamics of this classical theory to quantum mechanics.     

Planck Mass Plasma Analog of String Theory

In recent years there had been a growing interest in analog models of general relativity, with certain superfluid solutions simulating black hole solutions of Einstein's gravitational field equation. The quantization of a superfluid, composed of discrete particles (helium atoms), treated as a nonrelativistic many body problem does not lead to divergencies as the quantization of Einstein's field equations. Quantization of gravity is possible in string theory, but only if one introduces the daring hypothesis of higher dimensions. But if the gravitational field is made up of discrete elements as superfluid helium is made up of helium atoms, then gravity can be quantized without difficulty in three space and one time dimension. Such a hypothesis, of course, implies that Lorentz invariance is a dynamic symmetry caused by real rod and clock deformations, as it was assumed in the pre-Einstein theory of relativity by Lorentz and Poincaré, which required the existence of an aether. Making the hypothesis that this aether is a kind of superfluid plasma made up of positive and negative Planck mass particles interacting with the Planck force over a Planck length, one obtains an analog of the standard model, including gravity, which can be quantized as a nonrelativistic many body problem. In this model nonrelativistic vortex rings in three space dimensions and one time dimension simulate the relativistic theory of closed strings in ten space-time dimensions. But because in the vortex lattice, one obtains a large dimensionless number conceivably advancing our understanding of the finestructure constant.     

Third quantization: The problem of the cosmic vacuum,spontaneous symmetry breaking,and the possibility of an eternal universe

The existence of a fundamental length in general relativity, the Planck length, may lead to a breakdown of Lorentz invariance of the vacuum. The third quantization introduces renormalization fields of negative energy which do not interact with matter however. This revision leads to a measurable modification of the Casimir effect and can, at least in principle, lead to an eternal universe.What is science is not certain; what is certain is not science.     

A Method for Finding Solutions of the Hermitian Theory of Relativity which Depend on Three Co-ordinates

A method is presented, which can generate solutions of the Hermitian theory of relativity from known solutions of the general theory of relativity, when the latter depend on three co-ordinates and are invariant under reversal of the fourth one.