Partition functions and topology changing amplitudes in the 3-D lattice gravity of Ponzano and Regge

Dec, 1991
29 pages
Published in:
  • Nucl.Phys.B 382 (1992) 276-304
  • Published: 1992
e-Print:
Report number:
  • RIMS-851

Citations per year

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Abstract:
We define a physical Hilbert space for the three-dimensional lattice gravity of Ponzano and Regge and establish its isomorphism to the ones in the ISO(3)ISO(3) Chern-Simons theory. It is shown that, for a handlebody of any genus, a Hartle-Hawking-type wave-function of the lattice gravity transforms into the corresponding state in the Chern-Simons theory under this isomorphism. Using the Heegaard splitting of a three-dimensional manifold, a partition function of each of these theories is expressed as an inner product of such wave-functions. Since the isomorphism preserves the inner products, the partition function of the two theories are the same for any closed orientable manifold. We also discuss on a class of topology-changing amplitudes in the lattice gravity and their relation to the ones in the Chern-Simons theory.
  • lattice field theory: Regge
  • gravitation
  • dimension: 3
  • Chern-Simons term
  • symmetry: ISO(3)
  • wave function
  • partition function
  • linear space: Hilbert space