Quantum Gravity: Mixed States from Diffeomorphism Anomalies

Abstract

In a previous paper, we discussed simple examples like particle on a circle and molecules to argue that mixed states can arise from anomalous symmetries. This idea was applied to the breakdown (anomaly) of color SU(3) in the presence of non-abelian monopoles. Such mixed states create entropy as well. In this article, we extend these ideas to the topological geons of Friedman and Sorkin in quantum gravity. The "large diffeos" or mapping class groups can become anomalous in their quantum theory as we show. One way to eliminate these anomalies is to use mixed states, thereby creating entropy. These ideas may have something to do with black hole entropy as we speculate.

20 pages, 10 figures

Cited by in corpus (7)

• Algebraic Approach to Entanglement and Entropy
• Quantum Entropic Ambiguities: Ethylene
• Mixed States from Anomalies
• Open string QED meson description of the X17 particle and dark matter
• Extraction of the neutron F2 structure function from inclusive proton and deuteron deep-inelastic scattering data
• Anomalies and Renormalization of Impure States in Quantum Theories
• Novel Studies on the η' Effective Lagrangian