Discrete Space-Time Volume for 3-Dimensional BF Theory and Quantum Gravity

TL;DR

This paper derives an explicit, discrete expression for spacetime volume in 3D BF theory and quantum gravity using the Turaev-Viro invariant, linking it to the cosmological constant and spin labellings.

Contribution

It introduces a method to compute the discrete spacetime volume in 3D BF theory and quantum gravity via differentiation of the Turaev-Viro amplitude.

Findings

Spacetime volume depends on spin labellings of triangulation.

Volume is explicitly discrete and related to the cosmological constant.

Method applies to (2+1) dimensional quantum gravity.

Abstract

The Turaev-Viro state sum invariant is known to give the transition amplitude for the three dimensional BF theory with cosmological term, and its deformation parameter hbar is related with the cosmological constant via hbar=sqrt{Lambda}. This suggests a way to find the expectation value of the spacetime volume by differentiating the Turaev-Viro amplitude with respect to the cosmological constant. Using this idea, we find an explicit expression for the spacetime volume in BF theory. According to our results, each labelled triangulation carries a volume that depends on the labelling spins. This volume is explicitly discrete. We also show how the Turaev-Viro model can be used to obtain the spacetime volume for (2+1) dimensional quantum gravity.