Related papers: BMS symmetry in gravity: Front form versus Instant…
The phase space of general relativity in a finite subregion is characterized by edge modes localized at the codimension-2 boundary, transforming under an infinite-dimensional group of symmetries. The quantization of this symmetry algebra is…
We construct a manifestly diffeomorphism invariant Wilsonian (Exact) Renormalization Group for classical gravity, and begin the construction for quantum gravity. We demonstrate that the effective action can be computed without gauge fixing…
We investigate the canonical quantization of gravity coupled to pointlike matter in 2+1 dimensions. Starting from the usual point particle action in the first order formalism, we introduce auxiliary variables which make the action locally…
Shape dynamics is a completely background-independent universal framework of dynamical theories from which all absolute elements have been eliminated. For particles, only the variables that describe the shapes of the instantaneous particle…
In this paper we use the AdS/CFT correspondence to refine and then establish a set of old conjectures about symmetries in quantum gravity. We first show that any global symmetry, discrete or continuous, in a bulk quantum gravity theory with…
It is proposed that a non-Abelian adjoint two-form in BF type theories transform inhomogeneously under the gauge group. The resulting restrictions on invariant actions are discussed. The auxiliary one-form which is required for maintaining…
Employing alternative spacetime volume-forms (generally-covariant integration measure densities) independent of the pertinent Riemannian spacetime metric have profound impact in general relativity. Although formally appearing as…
Our conventional system of physical units is based on local or microscopic {\it dimensional} quantities which are {\it defined}, for convenience or otherwise aesthetic reasons, to be spacetime-independent. A more general choice of units may…
A method to find the symmetries of a theory in the first order formalism of gravity is presented. This method is applied to the minimal gravity sector of the Standard Model Extension. It is argued that no inconsistencies arise when Lorentz…
Unimodular gravity is classically equivalent to standard Einstein gravity, but differs when it comes to the quantum theory: The conformal factor is non-dynamical, and the gauge symmetry consists of transverse diffeomorphisms only.…
Following the approach of Grignani and Nardelli [1], we show how to cast the two-dimensional model $L \sim curv^2 + torsion^2 + cosm.const$ -- and in fact any theory of gravity -- into the form of a Poincare gauge theory. By means of the…
We describe a class of modified gravity theories that deform general relativity in a way that breaks time reversal invariance and, very mildly, locality. The algebra of constraints, local physical degrees of freedom, and their linearized…
We construct an explicit representation of the algebra of local diffeomorphisms of a manifold with realistic dimensions. This is achieved in the setting of a general approach to the (quantum) dynamics of a physical system which is…
The asymptotic symmetry of an isolated gravitating system, or the Bondi-Metzner-Sachs (BMS) group, contains an infinite-dimensional subgroup of supertranslations. Despite decades of study, the difficulties with the "supertranslation…
Previously, we have developed a general method to construct invariant conserved currents and charges in gravitational theories with Lagrangians that are invariant under spacetime diffeomorphisms and local Lorentz transformations. This…
We propose a method for deforming an extended Galilei algebra that leads to a nonstandard realization of the Poincar\'e group with the Fock-Lorentz linear fractional transformations. The invariant parameter in these transformations has the…
After introducing the covariant phase space calculus, Noether's theorems are discussed, with particular emphasis on Noether's second theorem and the role of gauge symmetries. This is followed by the enunciation of the theory of asymptotic…
Nonlinear realizations of spacetime groups are presented as a versatile mathematical tool providing a common foundation for quite different formulations of gauge theories of gravity. We apply nonlinear realizations in particular to both the…
In the present paper, we revisit gravitational theories which are invariant under TDiffs -- transverse (volume preserving) diffeomorphisms and global scale transformations. It is known that these theories can be rewritten in an equivalent…
Symmetries play an important role in fundamental physics. In gravity and field theories, particular attention has been paid to Weyl (or conformal) symmetry. However, once the theory contains a scalar field, conformal transformations of the…