Observables in a noncommutative approach to the unification of quanta and gravity: a finite model

We further develop a noncommutative model unifying quantum mechanics and general relativity proposed in Gen. Rel. Grav. (36, 111–126 (2004)). Generalized symmetries of the model are defined by a groupoid given by the action of a finite group on a space E. The geometry of the model is constructed in terms of suitable (noncommutative) algebras on . We investigate observables of the model, especially its position and momentum observables. This is not a trivial thing since the model is based on a noncommutative geometry and has strong nonlocal properties. We show that, in the position representation of the model, the position observable is a coderivation of a corresponding coalgebra, coparallelly to the well-known fact that the momentum observable is a derivation of the algebra. We also study the momentum representation of the model. It turns out that, in the case of the algebra of smooth, quickly decreasing functions on , the model in its quantum sector is nonlocal, i.e., there are no nontrivial coderivations of the corresponding coalgebra, whereas in its gravity sector such coderivations do exist. They are investigated.This revised version was published online in April 2005. The publishing date was inserted.