Quantum Gravity via Manifold Positivity

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel approach to quantum gravity where space's dimensions emerge from manifold pairings, leading to a dimension-terminated, Lorentzian four-dimensional spacetime with hints of extra dimensions.

Contribution

It introduces a new mathematical framework based on manifold positivity to derive spacetime dimensions and constructs a dimension-agnostic quantum gravity action.

Findings

Dimension naturally terminates at four due to topological singularity.

The four-dimensional manifold pairing yields Lorentzian signature.

Hints of additional small dimensions emerge from the model.

Abstract

The macroscopic dimensions of space should not be input but rather output of a general model for physics. Here, dimensionality arises from a recently discovered mathematical bifurcation: positive versus indefinite manifold pairings. It is used to build an action on a formal chain of combinatorial space-times of arbitrary dimension. The context for such actions is 2-field theory where Feynman integrals are not over classical, but previously quantized configurations. A topologically enforced singularity of the action terminates the dimension at four and, in fact, the final fourth dimension is Lorentzian due to light-like vectors in the four dimensional manifold pairing. Our starting point is the action of causal dynamical triangulations but in a dimension-agnostic setting. It is encouraging that some hint of extra small dimensions emerges from our action.