Related papers: Discrete Symmetries, Strong CP Problem and Gravity
The paper deals with a modified theory of gravity and the cosmological consequences. Instead of concerning the field equations directly, we modify a conformally-related and equivalent equation, such that a spontaneous symmetry breaking at…
A CP violating kinematic structure is presented. The essential physical input is to question the textbook wisdom, ``Now when a particle is at rest, one cannot define its spin as either left- or right-handed, so phi_R(0) = phi_L(0),'' as…
A recent work combined the popular left-right parity (LR) and Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetries to explain the alignment in quark masses. Since axions may not exist, we break PQ softly and discover a new solution to the strong CP problem.…
It is well known that the spontaneous breaking of discrete symmetries may lead to conflict with big-bang cosmology. This is due to formation of domain walls which give unacceptable contribution to the energy density of the universe. On the…
Small violations of spacetime symmetries have recently been identified as promising Planck-scale signals. This talk reviews how such violations can arise in various approaches to quantum gravity, how the emergent low-energy effects can be…
We highlight the fact that the lack of scale invariance in the gravitational field equations of General Relativity results from the underlying assumption that the appropriate scale for the gravitational force should be linked to the atomic…
We examine the sensitivity of several solutions of the strong-CP problem to violations of global symmetries by Planck scale physics. We find that the Peccei-Quinn solution is extremely sensitive to U(1)_PQ violating operators of dimension…
We show that it is possible to steer clear of a spacetime singularity during gravitational collapse by considering the time-variation of a fundamental coupling, in this case, the fine structure constant {\alpha}. We study a spherical…
The hypothesis of a discrete fabric of the universe--the "Planck scale"--is always on stage, since it solves mathematical and conceptual problems in the infinitely small. However, it clashes with special relativity, which is designed for…
Setting aside anthropic arguments, there is no reason for CP symmetry to be obeyed within the theory of quantum chromodynamics. However, no such violation of CP symmetry has ever been observed in a strongly interacting experiment. This is…
Domain wall structure which may form in theories with spontaneously broken parity is generically in conflict with standard cosmology. It has been argued that Planck scale suppressed effects can be sufficient for removing such domain walls.…
We set up a covariant renormalisation group equation on a foliated spacetime which preserves background diffeomorphism symmetry. As a first application of the new formalism, we study the effect of quantum fluctuations in Lorentz symmetry…
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…
A key incentive of quantum gravity is the removal of spacetime singularities plaguing the classical theory. We compute the non-perturbative momentum-dependence of a specific structure function within the gravitational asymptotic safety…
The promising solution to the strong CP problem by a Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetry may introduce quality and hierarchy problems, which are both relevant to Planck physics. In this paper, we study whether both problems can be explained by…
I argue that the linearity of quantum mechanics is an emergent feature at the Planck scale, along with the manifold structure of space-time. In this regime the usual causality violation objections to nonlinearity do not apply, and nonlinear…
A quantum gravity theory which becomes renormalizable at short distances due to a spontaneous symmetry breaking of Lorentz invariance and diffeomorphism invariance is studied. A breaking of Lorentz invariance with the breaking patterns…
New Planck scale physics may solve the singularity problems of classical general relativity and may lead to interesting consequences for very early Universe cosmology. Two approaches to these questions are reviewed in this article. The…
We investigate the influence of spontaneous symmetry breaking on the decoherence of a many-particle quantum system. This decoherence process is analyzed in an exactly solvable model system that is known to be representative of symmetry…
Space-time parity can solve the strong CP problem and introduces a spontaneously broken $SU(2)_R$ gauge symmetry. We investigate the possibility of baryogenesis from a first-order $SU(2)_R$ phase transition similar to electroweak…