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Transition probability spaces in loop quantum gravity

Authors :
Guo, Xiao-Kan
Source :
Journal of Mathematical Physics 59, 032302 (2018)
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

We study the (generalized) transition probability spaces, in the sense of Mielnik and Cantoni, for spacetime quantum states in loop quantum gravity. First, we show that loop quantum gravity admits the structures of transition probability spaces. This is exemplified by first checking such structures in covariant quantum mechanics, and then identify the transition probability spaces in spin foam models via a simplified discrete version of general boundary formulation. The transition probability space thus defined gives a simple way to reconstruct the discrete analog of the Hilbert space of the canonical theory and the relevant quantum logical structures. Second, we show that the transition probability space and in particular the spin foam model are 2-categories. Then we discuss how to realize in spin foam models two proposals by Crane about the mathematical structures of quantum gravity, namely the quantum topos and causal sites. We conclude that transition probability spaces provide us with an alternative framework to understand various foundational questions of loop quantum gravity.<br />Comment: v5, 33 pages, some points clarified

Details

Database :
arXiv
Journal :
Journal of Mathematical Physics 59, 032302 (2018)
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsarx.1611.05325
Document Type :
Working Paper
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5022662