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Spacetime uncertainty makes quantum field theory finite

General Physics 2024-12-31 v4

Abstract

Since Einstein's equations Gij=8πGTij/c4G_{ij} = 8\pi \, G \, T_{ij} \, / c^4 relate the metric gijg_{ij} of spacetime to the energy-momentum tensor TijT_{ij} which is a quantum field, the metric gijg_{ij} must be a quantum field. And since the metric gij(x)g_{ij}(x) is the dot product gij(x)=ipα(x)jpα(x)g_{ij}(x) = \partial_i p^\alpha(x) \, \partial_j p_\alpha(x) of the derivatives of the points p(x)p(x) of spacetime, spacetime must be a quantum field. Its points have average values p(x)\langle p(x) \rangle that obey general relativity and fluctuations q(x)=p(x)p(x)q(x) = p(x) - \langle p(x) \rangle that obey quantum mechanics. It is suggested that the fields of quantum field theory be regarded not as functions ϕ(x)\phi(x) of their classical coordinates xx but as functions ϕ(p(x))\phi(p(x)) of their quantum coordinates p(x)p(x). In empty flat spacetime where p(x)=x+q(x)p(x) = x + q(x) and x=(t,x)x = (t, \boldsymbol x), the Fourier exponentials exp(ik(x+q(x))\exp(i k(x+q(x)) averaged over normally distributed fluctuations q(x)q(x) are gaussians exp(ikx2k22m2/2)\exp(i kx -\ell^2 \boldsymbol k^2 - \ell^2 m^2/2). These gaussians make Feynman diagrams finite. The zero-point energy density of the vacuum also is finite -- but negative and too large to explain dark energy unless new bosons exist.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2406.09448,
  title  = {Spacetime uncertainty makes quantum field theory finite},
  author = {Kevin Cahill},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2406.09448},
  year   = {2024}
}

Comments

10 pages, 1 figure, a few minor improvements

R2 v1 2026-06-28T17:05:05.283Z