Modelling Space with an Atom of Quantum Geometry

Authors :: Seth Major
Michael D. Seifert
Publication Year :: 2001
Publisher :: arXiv, 2001.
Abstract: Within the context of loop quantum gravity there are several operators which measure geometry quantities. This work examines two of these operators, volume and angle, to study quantum geometry at a single spin network vertex - ``an atom of geometry.'' Several aspects of the angle operator are examined in detail including minimum angles, level spacing, and the distribution of angles. The high spin limit of the volume operator is also studied for monochromatic vertices. The results show that demands of the correct scaling relations between area and volume and requirements of the expected behavior of angles in three dimensional flat space require high-valence vertices with total spins of approximately 10^20.<br />Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures