Towards a background independent approach to M theory

TL;DR

This paper discusses progress towards formulating a background independent version of M theory, integrating principles from quantum gravity and string theory, including membrane field theory and holography.

Contribution

It proposes principles for a background independent M theory and reports progress on membrane field theory and holographic realization based on finite surfaces.

Findings

Development of background independent membrane field theory

Progress on holographic principle using finite surfaces

Proposal of principles for background independent M theory

Abstract

Work in progress is described which aims to construct a background independent formulation of M theory by extending results about background independent states and observables from quantum general relativity and supergravity to string theory. A list of principles for such a theory is proposed which is drawn from results of both string theory and background independent approaches to quantum gravity. Progress is reported on a background independent membrane field theory and on a realization of the holographic principle based on finite surfaces.