English

Spontaneous Dimensional Reduction in Quantum Gravity

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2016-11-15 v1 High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

Hints from a number of different approaches to quantum gravity point to a phenomenon of "spontaneous dimensional reduction" to two spacetime dimensions near the Planck scale. I examine the physical meaning of the term "dimension" in this context, summarize the evidence for dimensional reduction, and discuss possible physical explanations.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1605.05694,
  title  = {Spontaneous Dimensional Reduction in Quantum Gravity},
  author = {S. Carlip},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1605.05694},
  year   = {2016}
}

Comments

Third award, 2016 Gravity Research Foundation Essay Contest

R2 v1 2026-06-22T14:04:00.865Z