Topology of Vacuum Space-Time

TL;DR

This paper classifies vacuum space-times in Einstein's theory using knot topology, revealing a connection between gravitational vacua and gauge theory topologies, with implications for quantum gravity.

Contribution

It introduces a topological classification of vacuum solutions in Einstein's theory based on knot topology, linking gravity to gauge theory concepts.

Findings

Vacuum space-time classified by knot topology $ o \, ext{π}_3(S^3)$

Vacuum gravitational connections have knot topology similar to SU(2) gauge theory vacua

Implications for understanding quantum gravity and vacuum structure

Abstract

We present a topological classification of vacuum space-time. Assuming the 3-dimensional space allows a global chart, we show that the static vacuum space-time of Einstein's theory can be classified by the knot topology $\pi_3(S^3)=\pi_3(S^2)$. Viewing Einstein's theory as a gauge theory of Lorentz group and identifying the gravitational connection as the gauge potential of Lorentz group, we construct all possible vacuum gravitational connections which give a vanishing curvature tensor. With this we show that the vacuum connection has the knot topology, the same topology which describes the multiple vacua of SU(2) gauge theory. We discuss the physical implications of our result in quantum gravity.