Glassy gravity

TL;DR

This paper reexamines Euclidean quantum gravity using glass theory techniques, suggesting the presence of metastable states in the partition function that could impact understanding of de Sitter vacua and the cosmological constant.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach by applying glass theory to Euclidean quantum gravity, revealing hidden metastable states and addressing longstanding debates.

Findings

Identification of metastable states in the Euclidean partition function

Potential reconciliation of conflicting de Sitter vacuum results

Implications for the cosmological constant problem

Abstract

Euclidean quantum gravity is reconsidered, in the conformal mode approximation. Applying techniques from glass theory, we argue that the Euclidean partition function hides metastable states, which can be counted. This may reconcile conflicting results on the uniqueness of the de Sitter vacuum, and may be relevant to the cosmological constant problem.