Related papers: A new duality between Topological M-theory and Loo…
We introduce a vertex amplitude for 4d loop quantum gravity. We derive it from a conventional quantization of a Regge discretization of euclidean general relativity. This yields a spinfoam sum that corrects some difficulties of the…
Loop quantum gravity is an approach to quantum gravity that starts from the Hamiltonian formulation in terms of a connection and its canonical conjugate. Quantization proceeds in the spirit of Dirac: First one defines an algebra of basic…
We study generalized electric/magnetic duality in Abelian gauge theory by combining techniques from locally covariant quantum field theory and Cheeger-Simons differential cohomology on the category of globally hyperbolic Lorentzian…
We compute the $L_\infty$-theoretic dimensional reduction of the F1/D$p$-brane super $L_\infty$-cocycles with coefficients in rationalized twisted K-theory from the 10d type IIA and type IIB super Lie algebras down to 9d. We show that the…
We introduce the concept of duality between quantum field theories in the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism, which is interpreted either as a BV morphism, the result of dual BV pushforwards or a combination of both. When a BV morphism affects…
A covariant spin-foam formulation of quantum gravity has been recently developed, characterized by a kinematics which appears to match well the one of canonical loop quantum gravity. In particular, the geometrical observable giving the area…
In this thesis the recently developed duality covariant approach to string and M-theory is investigated. In this formalism the U-duality symmetry of M-theory or T-duality symmetry of Type II string theory becomes manifest upon extending…
This article presents an "in-a-nutshell" yet self-contained introductory review on loop quantum gravity (LQG) -- a background-independent, nonperturbative approach to a consistent quantum theory of gravity. Instead of rigorous and…
In this article we review the foundations and the present status of loop quantum gravity. It is short and relatively non-technical, the emphasis is on the ideas, and the flavor of the techniques. In particular, we describe the kinematical…
Caianiello's derivation of Quantum Geometry through an isometric embedding of the spacetime ({\bf M},\tilde{g}) in the pseudo-Riemannian structure ({\bf T^*M},g^*_{AB}) is reconsidered. In the new derivation, a non-linear connection and the…
As a canonical and generally covariant gauge theory, loop quantum gravity requires special techniques to derive effective actions or equations. If the proper constructions are taken into account, the theory, in spite of considerable…
We consider the holographic dual of SQCD in the conformal phase. It is based on a higher derivative gravity theory, which ensures the correct field theory anomalies. This is then related to a six dimensional gravity theory via S^1…
The spinfoam approach to quantum gravity rests on a "quantization" of BF theory using 2-complexes and group representations. We explain why, in dimension three and higher, this "spinfoam quantization" must be amended to be made consistent…
The S-dual $(\mathbf G^\vee\curvearrowright\mathbf M^\vee)$ of the pair $(\mathbf G\curvearrowright\mathbf M)$ of a smooth affine algebraic symplectic manifold $\mathbf M$ with hamiltonian action of a complex reductive group $\mathbf G$ was…
The presence of a distant D4-brane is used to further investigate the duality between M-theory and D0-brane quantum mechanics. A polarization of the quantum mechanical ground state is found. A similar deformation arises for the bubble of…
We start with the Hamiltonian formulation of the first order action of pure gravity with a full $\mathfrak{sl}(2,\mathbb C)$ internal gauge symmetry. We make a partial gauge-fixing which reduces $\mathfrak{sl}(2,\mathbb C)$ to its…
A topological fact about eleven dimensions is used to motivate a potential new duality in M-theory. We complete the discussion of consistent limits of M-theory raised in a previous paper to include gravitational anomaly cancelation and…
"Quantum Topology" deals with the general quantum theory as the theory of the functional quantum space; space time and energy momentum forms form a connected manifold; a functional quantum space on the quantum level. The general quantum…
We present a non-perturbative quantization of general relativity coupled to dust and other matter fields. The dust provides a natural time variable, leading to a physical Hamiltonian with spatial diffeomorphism symmetry. The methods of loop…
We revisit the singular IIB supergravity solution describing M fractional 3-branes on the conifold [hep-th/0002159]. Its 5-form flux decreases, which we explain by showing that the relevant \NN=1 SUSY SU(N+M)xSU(N) gauge theory undergoes…