Asymptotic analysis of spin-foams with time-like faces in a new parameterisation

Abstract

In this article we study the Conrady-Hnybida extension of the Lorentzian Engle-Pereira-Rovelli-Livine spin-foam model, which admits time-like cells rather than just space-like ones. Our focus is on the asymptotic analysis of the model's vertex amplitude. We propose a new parametrization for states associated to time-like 3-cells, from which we derive a closed-form expression for their amplitudes. This allows us to revisit the conditions under which critical points of the amplitudes occur, and we find Regge-like geometrical critical points in agreement with the literature. However, we find also evidence for non-geometrical points which are not dynamically suppressed without further assumptions; the model then does not strictly asymptote to the Regge action, contrary to what one would expect. We moreover prove Minkowski and rigidity theorems for Minkowskian polyhedra, extending the asymptotic analysis to non-simplicial spin-foams.

33 pages + 17 pages appendices, 4 figures, v2: minor update on cosine problem, v3: removed wrong claim on cosine problem, v4: matching version accepted for publication, updated discussion on completion of asymtotic analysis

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• A Monte Carlo algorithm for spin foam intertwiners
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