Qiss

We show how the fixed-spin asymptotics of the EPRL model can be used to perform the spin-sum for spin foam amplitudes defined on fixed two-complexes without interior faces and contracted with coherent spin-network states peaked on a discrete simplicial geometry with macroscopic areas. We work in the representation given in Ref. 1. We first rederive the latter in a different way suitable for our purposes. We then extend this representation to 2-complexes with a boundary and derive its relation to the coherent state representation. We give the measure providing the resolution of the identity for Thiemann’s state in the twisted geometry parametrization. The above then permit us to put everything together with other results in the literature and show how the spin sum can be performed analytically for the regime of interest here. These results are relevant to analytic investigations regarding the transition of a black hole to a white hole geometry. In particular, this work gives detailed technique that was the basis of estimate for the black to white bounce appeared in Ref. 2. These results may also be relevant for applications of spinfoams to investigate the possibility of a ‘big bounce’.

An analysis is given of the local phase space of gravity coupled to matter to second order in perturbation theory. Working in local regions with boundaries at finite distance, we identify matter, Coulomb, and additional boundary modes. The boundary modes take the role of reference frames for both diffeomorphisms and internal Lorentz rotations. Passing to the quantum level, we identify the constraints that link the bulk and boundary modes. The constraints take the form of a multi-fingered Schr”odinger equation

We summarize recent developments at the interface of quantum gravity and quantum information, and discuss applications to the quantum geometry of space in loop quantum gravity. In particular, we describe the notions of link entanglement, intertwiner entanglement, and boundary spin entanglement in a spin-network state. We discuss how these notions encode the gluing of quanta of space and their relevance for the reconstruction of a quantum geometry from a network of entanglement structures. We then focus on the geometric entanglement entropy of spin-network states at fixed spins, treated as a many-body system of quantum polyhedra, and discuss the hierarchy of volume-law, area-law and zero-law states. Using information theoretic bounds on the uncertainty of geometric observables and on their correlations, we identify area-law states as the corner of the Hilbert space that encodes a semiclassical geometry, and the geometric entanglement entropy as a probe of semiclassicality.

Quantum nonlocality, generated by strong correlations between entangled systems, defies the classical view of nature based on standard causal reasoning plus physical assumptions. The new frontier of the research on entanglement is to explore quantum correlations in complex networks, involving several parties and generating new striking quantum effects. We present recent advances on the realization of photonic quantum networks.

This paper is a transcript of the dialogue between Carlo Rovelli and Mike Jackson after Rovelli’s delivery of the 2021 Annual Mike Jackson Lecture, hosted by the Centre for Systems Studies at the University of Hull. The dialogue covers a range of topics, including how Rovelli developed a sense of curiosity in his youth; the connection between his interests in science and politics; the pathology of disciplinary divisions in academia; the value of Bogdanov’s transdisciplinarity; Rovelli’s theory of quantum gravity; the notions of granularity, indeterminism and relationality underpinning quantum mechanics; the role of the observer; mistaken uses of quantum mechanics; relational and network views of the world; how the discipline of Physics is becoming more systemic; the concept of levels of analysis in relation to nature and human inquiry; and the future for humanity.

In this chapter we take up the quantum Riemannian geometry of a spatial slice of spacetime. While researchers are still facing the challenge of observing quantum gravity, there is a geometrical core to loop quantum gravity that does much to define the approach. This core is the quantum character of its geometrical observables: space and spacetime are built up out of Planck-scale quantum grains. The interrelations between these grains are described by spin networks, graphs whose edges capture the bounding areas of the interconnected nodes, which encode the extent of each grain. We explain how quantum Riemannian geometry emerges from two different approaches: in the first half of the chapter we take the perspective of continuum geometry and explain how quantum geometry emerges from a few principles, such as the general rules of canonical quantization of field theories, a classical formulation of general relativity in which it appears embedded in the phase space of Yang-Mills theory, and general covariance. In the second half of the chapter we show that quantum geometry also emerges from the direct quantization of the finite number of degrees of freedom of the gravitational field encoded in discrete geometries. These two approaches are complimentary and are offered to assist readers with different backgrounds enter the compelling arena of quantum Riemannian geometry.