A First Analysis of Stochastic Composite Gravity

TL;DR

This paper introduces a nonperturbative stochastic approach to quantum gravity that naturally regularizes ultra-short distances and suggests gravity emerges from quantum field fluctuations, aligning with Einstein's theory at large scales.

Contribution

It presents a novel stochastic composite gravity model that demonstrates emergent gravity from quantum field fluctuations with a physical ultraviolet regulator.

Findings

Spacetime metric fluctuates around flat spacetime in equilibrium.

Emergent gravity is consistent with Einstein gravity at long distances.

Stochastic regularization resembles point-splitting in quantum field theory.

Abstract

We present a first analysis of a nonperturbative approach to quantum gravity based on a representation of quantum field theory in terms of stochastic processes. The stochastic description accommodates a physical Lorentz-invariant ultraviolet regulator that provides a novel description of physics at ultra-short distances. In a stochastic composite gravity model we demonstrate the evolution of a generic initial field configuration towards an equilibrium in which the composite spacetime metric fluctuates about a flat spacetime. We argue that fluctuations about the vacuum give rise to an emergent gravitational interaction consistent with Einstein gravity at long distances. We uncover a formal similarity between regularization by stochastic discreteness and point-splitting regularization in the corresponding quantum field theory. We comment on the signature of the emergent spacetime, possible consequences for the early universe, and the potential for observational and experimental tests of the stochastic origin of quantum field theory and gravitation.