Algebraic quantum gravity (AQG). III. Semiclassical perturbation theory

Jul, 2006
26 pages
Published in:
  • Class.Quant.Grav. 24 (2007) 2565-2588
e-Print:
Report number:
  • AEI-2006-60

Citations per year

20052010201520202025024681012
Abstract: (arXiv)
In the two previous papers of this series we defined a new combinatorical approach to quantum gravity, Algebraic Quantum Gravity (AQG). We showed that AQG reproduces the correct infinitesimal dynamics in the semiclassical limit, provided one incorrectly substitutes the non -- Abelean group SU(2) by the Abelean group U(1)3U(1)^3 in the calculations. The mere reason why that substitution was performed at all is that in the non -- Abelean case the volume operator, pivotal for the definition of the dynamics, is not diagonisable by analytical methods. This, in contrast to the Abelean case, so far prohibited semiclassical computations. In this paper we show why this unjustified substitution nevertheless reproduces the correct physical result: Namely, we introduce for the first time semiclassical perturbation theory within AQG (and LQG) which allows to compute expectation values of interesting operators such as the master constraint as a power series in \hbar with error control. That is, in particular matrix elements of fractional powers of the volume operator can be computed with extremely high precision for sufficiently large power of \hbar in the \hbar expansion. With this new tool, the non -- Abelean calculation, although technically more involved, is then exactly analogous to the Abelean calculation, thus justifying the Abelean analysis in retrospect. The results of this paper turn AQG into a calculational discipline.
  • 04.60.Pp
  • quantum gravity: algebra
  • perturbation theory: semiclassical
  • coherent state