Related papers: Algebraic-geometrical formulation of two-dimension…
We provide a relatively self-contained introduction to the application of quantum spacetime and quantum Riemannian geometry to theoretical physics. Recent successes include calculation of the vacuum energy of spacetime curvature…
The paper develops a $(2+2)$-imbedding formalism adapted to a double foliation of spacetime by a net of two intersecting families of lightlike hypersurfaces. The formalism is two-dimensionally covariant, and leads to simple, geometrically…
In this habilitation thesis we provide an introduction to gravitational models in two spacetime dimensions. Focus is put on exactly solvable models. We begin by introducing and motivating different possible gravitational actions, including…
We present a theory of general two-point functions and of generalized free fields in d-dimensional de Sitter space-time which closely parallels the corresponding minkowskian theory. The usual spectral condition is now replaced by a certain…
This note aims to provide an entr\'ee to two developments in two-dimensional topological gravity -- that is, intersection theory on the moduli space of Riemann surfaces -- that have not yet become well-known among physicists. A little over…
We present exact results for partition functions of Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) gravity on two-dimensional surfaces of arbitrary genus with an arbitrary number of boundaries. The boundaries are of the type relevant in the NAdS${}_2$/NCFT${}_1$…
The inclusion of higher derivatives is a necessary condition for a renormalizable or superrenormalizable local theory of quantum gravity. On the other hand, higher derivatives lead to classical instabilities and a loss of unitarity at the…
Making use of a recent result of Borchers, an algebraic version of the Bisognano-Wichmann theorem is given for conformal quantum field theories, i.e. the Tomita-Takesaki modular group associated with the von Neumann algebra of a wedge…
The quantum cosmology of two-dimensional dilaton-gravity models is investigated. A class of models is mapped onto the constrained oscillator-ghost-oscillator model. A number of exact and approximate solutions to the corresponding…
We explain how quantum gravity can be defined by quantizing spacetime itself. A pinpoint is that the gravitational constant G = L_P^2 whose physical dimension is of (length)^2 in natural unit introduces a symplectic structure of spacetime…
We show that the dynamics of the kinematic space of a 2-dimensional CFT is gravitational and described by Jackiw-Teitelboim theory. We discuss the first law of this 2-dimensional dilaton gravity theory to support the relation between…
We obtain a closed formula for the Kaehler potential of a broad class of four-dimensional Lorentzian or Euclidean conformal "Kaehler" geometries, including the Plebanski-Demianski class and various gravitational instantons such as…
This Ph.D. thesis pursues two goals: The study of the geometrical structure of two-dimensional quantum gravity and in particular its fractal nature. To address these questions we review the continuum formalism of quantum gravity with…
In the presence of spacetime boundaries, diffeomorphisms in gravitational theories can become physical and acquire non-vanishing Noether charges. These charges obey an algebra which, within the extended phase-space formalism, faithfully…
Our starting point is an iterative construction suited to combinatorics in arbitarary dimensions d, of totally anisymmetrised p-Riemann 2p-forms (2p\le d) generalising the (1-)Riemann curvature 2-forms. Superposition of p-Ricci scalars…
Given a closed surface endowed with a volume form, we equip the space of compatible Riemannian structures with the structure of an infinite-dimensional symplectic manifold. We show that the natural action of the group of volume-preserving…
We address two linked problems at the interface of quantum topology and number theory: deriving asymptotic expansions of the Witten--Reshetikhin--Turaev invariants for 3-manifolds and establishing quantum modularity of false theta…
We study open topological gravity in two dimensions, or, the intersection theory on the moduli space of open Riemann surfaces initiated by Pandharipande, Solomon and Tessler. The open free energy, the generating function for the open…
In a companion paper, we have emphasized the role of the Drinfeld double DSU(2) in the context of three dimensional Riemannian Loop Quantum Gravity coupled to massive spinless point particles. We make use of this result to propose a model…
We reformulate the self-dual Einstein equation as a trio of differential form equations for simple two-forms. Using them, we can quickly show the equivalence of the theory and 2D sigma models valued in an infinite-dimensional group, which…