English

A Lattice Physics Approach to Spin-Networks in Loop Quantum Gravity

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2025-07-22 v1 Other Condensed Matter High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

In this study, we model a spin-network in loop quantum gravity as a regular tetrahedral lattice, applying lattice physics techniques to study its structure and vertex dynamics. Using the area eigenvalue, A8πlP2A\propto 8\pi l_P^2, we derive a lattice constant a=2.707lPa = 2.707\,l_P and construct a vertex Hamiltonian incorporating a Lennard-Jones potential, zero-point energy, and simple harmonic oscillations. A foliation approach enforces the Wheeler-DeWitt constraint via locally non-zero Hamiltonians that globally cancel. Graviton-like perturbations (treated here as spin-0 bosons) modify the vertex energy spectrum, with variational analysis suggesting twelve coherent excitations per vertex. This model frames flat spacetime as a graviton-rich lattice while enforcing a Brownian-like stochastic picture for the gravitons, and offers a basis for extension into curved quantum geometries.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2507.14630,
  title  = {A Lattice Physics Approach to Spin-Networks in Loop Quantum Gravity},
  author = {Noah M. MacKay},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.14630},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

9 pages (with appendices), 3 figures

R2 v1 2026-07-01T04:09:18.849Z