# Shape Dynamical Loop Gravity from a Conformal Immirzi Parameter

## TL;DR

This paper explores the interpretation of the Immirzi parameter in loop quantum gravity as a conformal transformation, leading to a shape dynamics framework with a new gravitational gauge connection suitable for loop quantization.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel approach by promoting the Immirzi parameter to a conformal transformation, connecting loop quantum gravity with shape dynamics through a new gauge connection.

## Key findings

- Immirzi parameter can be interpreted as a conformal transformation.
- A gravitational gauge connection analogous to loop quantum gravity is constructed.
- The approach facilitates applying loop quantization within shape dynamics.

## Abstract

The Immirzi parameter of loop quantum gravity is a one parameter ambiguity of the theory whose precise interpretation is not universally agreed upon. It is an inherent characteristic of the quantum theory as it appears in the spectra of geometric operators, despite being irrelevant at the classical level. The parameter's appearance in the area and volume spectra to the same power as the Planck area suggest that it plays a role in determining the fundamental length scale of space. In fact, a consistent interpretation is that it represents a constant rescaling of the kinematical spatial geometry. An interesting realization is that promoting the Immirzi parameter to be a general conformal transformation leads to a system which can be identified as analogous to the linking theory of shape dynamics. A three-dimensional gravitational gauge connection is then constructed within the linking theory in a manner analogous to loop quantum gravity, thereby facilitating the application of the established procedure of loop quantization.