Related papers: One-loop gravity divergences in D>4 cannot all be …
In this paper we study perturbatively an extension of the Stelle higher derivative gravity involving an infinite number of derivative terms. We know that the usual quadratic action is renormalizable but suffers of the unitarity problem…
In 1+1 dimensions, the Wheeler-DeWitt equation cannot be imposed owing to an anomaly in its commutator with the diffeomorphism constraint. A similar obstruction prevents also a semiclassical definition of a WKB local time. (Talk given at…
In this paper we study an N=1 supersymmetric extension of a perturbatively super-renormalizable (nonlocal)theory of gravity in four dimensions. The nonlocal supergravity theory is power-counting super-renormalizable and tree level unitary…
The standard picture of viable higher-dimensional theories is that extra dimensions manifest themselves at short distances only, their effects being negligible at scales larger than some critical value. We show that this is not necessarily…
The global symmetries in maximally supersymmetric theories of gravity in $d\ge4$ are shown to have a universal form in light-cone superspace. The procedure for deriving an all order expression for the $d=4$ case is also discussed.
We present the complete set of universal one-loop beta functions of cubic gravity in six dimensions. The system admits over 8000 distinct fixed points, of which more than 200 are real. Some of them might be relevant for the quantisation of…
Runaway solutions can be avoided in fourth order gravity by a doubling of the matter operator algebra with a symmetry constraint with respect to the exchange of observable and hidden degrees of freedom together with the change in sign of…
The different roles and natures of spacetime appearing in a quantum field theory and in classical physics are analyzed implying that a quantum theory of gravitation is not necessarily a quantum theory of curved spacetime. Developing an…
We investigate the occurrence of divergences in maximal supergravity in various dimensions from the point of view of supersymmetry constraints on the U-duality invariant threshold functions defining the higher derivative couplings in the…
A set of diverse but mutually consistent results obtained in different settings has spawned a new view of loop quantum gravity and its physical implications, based on the interplay of operator calculations and effective theory: Quantum…
Degenerate geometrical configurations in quantum gravity are important to understand if the fate of classical singularities is to be revealed. However, not all degenerate configurations arise on an equal footing, and one must take into…
We live in a four dimensional world. But the idea of unification of fundamental interactions lead us to higher dimensional theories. Recently a new theory with extra dimensions has emerged, where only gravity propagates in the extra…
We discuss the possibility of having gravity ``localized'' in dimension d in a system where gauge bosons propagate in dimension d+1. In such a circumstance - depending on the rate of falloff of the field strengths in d dimensions - one…
In the version 1 of this paper, we claimed that 4D ${\cal N}=1$ supergravity formulations with different auxiliary fields can be unified using U(1) gauge symmetry, whose gauge superfield does not have a kinetic term. However, after…
We describe the construction of the complete four-loop four-particle amplitude of N=8 supergravity. The amplitude is ultraviolet finite, not only in four dimensions, but in five dimensions as well. The observed extra cancellations provide…
The discrepancy between the results of covariant and non-covariant one-loop calculations for higher-spin fields in quantum cosmology is analyzed. A detailed mode-by-mode study of perturbative quantum gravity about a flat Euclidean…
We consider the most general covariant gravity action up to terms that are quadratic in curvature. These can be endowed with generic form factors, which are functions of the d'Alembert operator. If they are chosen in a specific way as an…
Higher-dimensional theories of the kind which may unify gravitation with particle physics can lead to significant modifications of general relativity. In five dimensions, the vacuum becomes non-standard, and the Weak Equivalence Principle…
There is a serious disconnect between quantum theory and gravity. It occurs at the level of the very foundations of quantum theory, and is far deeper than just the matter of trying to quantize a non-linear theory. We shall examine some of…
According to the recent pure spinor analysis of the UV divergences by Karlsson, there are no divergent 1PI structures beyond 6 loops in D=4 N=8 supergravity. In combination with the common expectation that the UV divergences do not appear…