Functional Renormalization Group Equations, Asymptotic Safety, and Quantum Einstein Gravity

TL;DR

This paper introduces the effective average action approach to the Wilsonian renormalization group and applies it to Quantum Einstein Gravity, exploring the Asymptotic Safety scenario for a fundamental quantum gravity theory.

Contribution

It provides a pedagogical introduction to the functional renormalization group and demonstrates its application to Quantum Einstein Gravity within the Asymptotic Safety framework.

Findings

Evidence supporting Asymptotic Safety in Quantum Einstein Gravity

Functional renormalization group equations are effective in this context

The approach offers a promising route to quantum gravity

Abstract

These lecture notes provide a pedagogical introduction to a specific continuum implementation of the Wilsonian renormalization group, the effective average action. Its general properties and, in particular, its functional renormalization group equation are explained in a simple scalar setting. The approach is then applied to Quantum Einstein Gravity (QEG). The possibility of constructing a fundamental theory of quantum gravity in the framework of Asymptotic Safety is discussed and the supporting evidence is summarized.