A quantum field theory of simplicial geometry and the emergence of spacetime

Abstract

We present the case for a fundamentally discrete quantum spacetime and for Group Field Theories as a candidate consistent description of it, briefly reviewing the key properties of the GFT formalism. We then argue that the outstanding problem of the emergence of a continuum spacetime and of General Relativity from fundamentally discrete quantum structures should be tackled from a condensed matter perspective and using purely QFT methods, adapted to the GFT context. We outline the picture of continuum spacetime as a condensed phase of a GFT and a research programme aimed at realizing this picture in concrete terms.

arXiv comment10 pages, no figures; to appear in the Proceedings of the DICE 2006 Workshop (Piombino, Italy), uses IOP Conf style; v2: typos corrected, added preprint numbers

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