Effective action in a quantized metric

TL;DR

This paper computes the effective action in quantum field theories with a quantized metric, revealing no charge renormalization at one-loop and finite electromagnetic energy for point charges, with implications for inflationary models.

Contribution

It introduces a non-perturbative treatment of a quantized scale-invariant metric in four dimensions, showing novel effects on charge renormalization and inflationary dynamics.

Findings

No charge renormalization at one-loop order for matter fields.

Electromagnetic energy of point charges can be finite.

Quantum gravity interaction alters temperature dependence in inflationary models.

Abstract

We calculate the effective action in Yang-Mills and scalar \phi^4 quantum field theory with quantized scale invariant metric treated non-perturbatively in d=4 dimensions. There is no charge renormalization in the one-loop order for matter fields. We show that the electromagnetic energy of point charges can be finite. The temperature dependence of the effective action in inflationary models is changed substantially as a result of an interaction with quantum gravity.