English

The Hamiltonian constraint in 3d Riemannian loop quantum gravity

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2011-09-12 v3 Mathematical Physics math.MP

Abstract

We discretize the Hamiltonian scalar constraint of three-dimensional Riemannian gravity on a graph of the loop quantum gravity phase space. This Hamiltonian has a clear interpretation in terms of discrete geometries: it computes the extrinsic curvature from dihedral angles. The Wheeler-DeWitt equation takes the form of difference equations, which are actually recursion relations satisfied by Wigner symbols. On the boundary of a tetrahedron, the Hamiltonian generates the exact recursion relation on the 6j-symbol which comes from the Biedenharn-Elliott (pentagon) identity. This fills the gap between the canonical quantization and the symmetries of the Ponzano-Regge state-sum model for 3d gravity.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1101.3524,
  title  = {The Hamiltonian constraint in 3d Riemannian loop quantum gravity},
  author = {Valentin Bonzom and Laurent Freidel},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1101.3524},
  year   = {2011}
}

Comments

24 pages, added proof that the regulated constraints are classically first class and explicit relationship to flat connections ; version to be published

R2 v1 2026-06-21T17:13:42.973Z