Quantization of gravity and finite temperature effects

TL;DR

This paper advances the understanding of quantum gravity by providing a covariant derivation of physical states, analyzing vacuum energy at finite temperature, and exploring asymptotic freedom in finite-temperature QED.

Contribution

It introduces an alternative covariant derivation of physical states, applies optimal perturbation theory to finite-temperature vacuum energy, and investigates asymptotic freedom in finite-temperature QED.

Findings

Gauge choice-independence of scattering amplitudes verified

Vacuum energy analysis suggests avoidance of the cosmological constant problem

Finite-temperature QED remains a plausible candidate for asymptotic freedom

Abstract

Gravity is perturbatively renormalizable for the physical states which can be conveniently defined via foliation-based quantization. In recent sequels, one-loop analysis was explicitly carried out for Einstein-scalar and Einstein-Maxwell systems. Various germane issues and all-loop renormalizability have been addressed. In the present work we make further progress by carrying out several additional tasks. Firstly, we present an alternative 4D covariant derivation of the physical state condition by examining gauge choice-independence of a scattering amplitude. To this end, a careful dichotomy between the ordinary, and large gauge symmetries is required and appropriate gauge-fixing of the ordinary symmetry must be performed. Secondly, vacuum energy is analyzed in a finite-temperature setup. A variant optimal perturbation theory is implemented to two-loop. The renormalized mass determined by the optimal perturbation theory turns out to be on the order of the temperature, allowing one to avoid the cosmological constant problem. The third task that we take up is examination of the possibility of asymptotic freedom in finite-temperature quantum electrodynamics. In spite of the debates in the literature, the idea remains reasonable.