Combining general relativity and quantum theory: points of conflict and contact
Abstract
The issues related to bringing together the principles of general relativity and quantum theory are discussed. After briefly summarising the points of conflict between the two formalisms I focus on four specific themes in which some contact has been established in the past between GR and quantum field theory: (i) The role of planck length in the microstructure of spacetime (ii) The role of quantum effects in cosmology and origin of the universe (iii) The thermodynamics of spacetimes with horizons and especially the concept of entropy related to spacetime geometry (iv) The problem of the cosmological constant.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.gr-qc/0110046,
title = {Combining general relativity and quantum theory: points of conflict and contact},
author = {T. Padmanabhan},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:gr-qc/0110046},
year = {2014}
}
Comments
Invited Talk at "The Early Universe and Cosmological Observations: a Critical Review", UCT, Cape Town, 23-25 July,2001; to appear in Class.Quan.Grav