In order to gain insight into the possible ground state of quantized Einstein's gravity, we have devised a variational calculation of the energy of the quantum gravitational field in an open space, as measured by an asymptotic observer living in an asymptotically flat space-time. We find that for quantum gravity (QG) it is energetically favourable to perform its quantum fluctuations not upon flat space-time but around a “gas” of wormholes, whose size is the Planck length ap ( cm). As a result, assuming such configuration to be a good approximation to the true ground state of quantum gravity, space-time, the arena of physical reality, turns out to be well described by Wheeler's Quantum Foam and adequately modeled by a space-time lattice with lattice constant ap, the Planck lattice.

On the ground state of quantum gravity

CACCIATORI, SERGIO LUIGI;
1998-01-01

Abstract

In order to gain insight into the possible ground state of quantized Einstein's gravity, we have devised a variational calculation of the energy of the quantum gravitational field in an open space, as measured by an asymptotic observer living in an asymptotically flat space-time. We find that for quantum gravity (QG) it is energetically favourable to perform its quantum fluctuations not upon flat space-time but around a “gas” of wormholes, whose size is the Planck length ap ( cm). As a result, assuming such configuration to be a good approximation to the true ground state of quantum gravity, space-time, the arena of physical reality, turns out to be well described by Wheeler's Quantum Foam and adequately modeled by a space-time lattice with lattice constant ap, the Planck lattice.
1998
Cacciatori, SERGIO LUIGI; Preparata, G.; Rovelli, S.; Spagnolatti, I.; Xue, S. S.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11383/1759548
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