Tensor models can be regarded as theories of dynamical fuzzy spaces, and provide background independent theories of space. Their classical solutions correspond to classical background spaces, and the small fluctuations around them can be regarded as fluctuations of fields on them. In this paper, I numerically study a tensor model around its classical backgrounds of two-, three- and four-dimensional fuzzy flat tori and show that the properties of low-lying low-momentum modes are in clear agreement with general relativity. Numerical analysis also suggests that the lowest-order effective action is composed of curvature square terms, which is consistent with general relativity in view of the form of the considered action of the tensor model.
We give a simplified formula for the star product on CP^n_L, which enables us to define a twist element suited for discussing a Drinfeld twist like structure on fuzzy complex projective spaces. The existence of such a twist will have several consequences for field theories on fuzzy spaces, some of which we discuss in the present paper. As expected, we find that the twist of the coproduct is trivial for the generators of isometries on CP^n_L. Furthermore, the twist allows us to define a covariant tensor calculus on CP^n_L from the perspective of the standard embedding of CP^n in flat Euclidean …
The indirect evidence for at least a dozen massive white dwarfs violating the Chandrasekhar mass-limit is considered to be one of the wonderful discoveries in astronomy for more than a decade. Researchers have already proposed a diverse amount of models to explain this astounding phenomenon. However, each of these models always carries some drawbacks. On the other hand, noncommutative geometry is one of the best replicas of quantum gravity, which is yet to be proved from observations. Madore introduced the idea of a fuzzy sphere to describe a formalism of noncommutative geometry. This article …
Ising models of emergent geometry are well known to possess ground states with many of the desired features of a low dimensional, Ricci flat vacuum. Further, excitations of these ground states can be shown to replicate the quantum dynamics of a free particle in the continuum limit. It would be a significant next step in the development of emergent Ising models to link them to an underlying physical theory that has General Relativity as its continuum limit. In this work we investigate how the canonical formulation of General Relativity can be used to construct such a discrete Hamiltonian using …
This paper gives a summary of the author's works concerning the emergent general relativity in a particular class of tensor models, which possess Gaussian classical solutions. In general, a classical solution in a tensor model may be physically regarded as a background space, and small fluctuations about the solution as emergent fields on the space. The numerical analyses of the tensor models possessing Gaussian classical background solutions have shown that the low-lying long-wavelength fluctuations around the backgrounds are in one-to-one correspondence with the geometric fluctuations on fla…
Tensor models can be interpreted as theory of dynamical fuzzy spaces. In this paper, I study numerically the fluctuation spectra around a Gaussian classical solution of a tensor model, which represents a fuzzy flat space in arbitrary dimensions. It is found that the momentum distribution of the low-lying low-momentum spectra is in agreement with that of the metric tensor modulo the general coordinate transformation in the general relativity at least in the dimensions studied numerically, i.e. one to four dimensions. This result suggests that the effective field theory around the solution is de…
We study the fuzzy hyperboloids AdS^2 and dS^2 as brane solutions in matrix models. The unitary representations of SO(2,1) required for quantum field theory are identified, and explicit formulae for their realization in terms of fuzzy wavefunctions are given. In a second part, we study the (A)dS^2 brane geometry and its dynamics, as governed by a suitable matrix model. In particular, we show that trace of the energy-momentum tensor of matter induces transversal perturbations of the brane and of the Ricci scalar. This leads to a linearized form of Henneaux-Teitelboim-type gravity, illustrating …
We start by briefly reviewing the description of gravity theories as gauge theories in four dimensions. More specifically we recall the procedure leading to the results of General Relativity and Weyl Gravity in a gauge-theoretic manner. Then, after a brief reminder of the formulation of gauge theories on noncommutative spaces, we review our recent work, where gravity is constructed as a gauge theory on the fuzzy $dS_4$.
We review different approaches to quantum gravity in which spacetime is emerging. We discuss in some detail the proposals by G. Volovik and S. Lloyd and show how they differ in the way they treat time. We further propose an approach to quantum gravity in which the Einstein equations are derived rather then used. We call this approach Internal Relativity.
We derive the Einstein tensor from the Fisher information metric that is defined by the probability distribution of a statistical mechanical system. We find that the tensor naturally contains essential information of the energy-momentum tensor of a classical scalar field, when the entropy data or the spectrum data of the system are embedded into the classical field as the field strength. Thus, we can regard the Einstein equation as the equation of coarse-grained states for the original microscopic system behind the classical field theory. We make some remarks on quantization of gravity and var…
The nonlinear affine Goldstone model of the emergent gravity, built on the nonlinearly realized/hidden affine symmetry, is concisely revisited. Beyond General Relativity, the explicit violation of general invariance/relativity, under preserving general covariance, is exposed. Dependent on a nondynamical affine connection, a generally covariant second-order effective Lagrangian for metric gravity is worked out, with the general relativity violation and the gravitational dark matter serving as the signatures of emergence.
The horizon is a classical concept that arises in general relativity, and is therefore not clearly defined when the source cannot be reliably described by classical physics. To any (sufficiently) localised quantum mechanical wave-function, one can associate a horizon wave-function which yields the probability of finding a horizon of given radius centred around the source. We can then associate to each quantum particle a probability that it is a black hole, and the existence of a minimum black hole mass follows naturally, which agrees with the one obtained from the hoop conjecture and the Heise…
A possible resolution of the incompatibility of quantum mechanics and general relativity is that the relativity principle is emergent. I show that the central paradox of black holes also occurs at a liquid-vapor critical surface of a bose condensate but is resolved there by the phenomenon of quantum criticality. I propose that real black holes are actually phase boundaries of the vacuum analogous to this, and that the Einstein field equations simply fail at the event horizon the way quantum hydrodynamics fails at a critical surface. This can occur without violating classical general relativity…
In the previous paper, the number distribution of the low-lying spectra around Gaussian solutions representing various dimensional fuzzy tori of a tensor model was numerically shown to be in accordance with the general relativity on tori. In this paper, I perform more detailed numerical analysis of the properties of the modes for two-dimensional fuzzy tori, and obtain conclusive evidences for the agreement. Under a proposed correspondence between the rank-three tensor in tensor models and the metric tensor in the general relativity, conclusive agreement is obtained between the profiles of the …
Rank-three tensor model may be regarded as theory of dynamical fuzzy spaces, because a fuzzy space is defined by a three-index coefficient of the product between functions on it, f_a*f_b=C_ab^cf_c. In this paper, this previous proposal is applied to dynamical generation of commutative nonassociative fuzzy spaces. It is numerically shown that fuzzy flat torus and fuzzy spheres of various dimensions are classical solutions of the rank-three tensor model. Since these solutions are obtained for the same coupling constants of the tensor model, the cosmological constant and the dimensions are not fu…
Canonical tensor model is a theory of dynamical fuzzy spaces in arbitrary space-time dimensions. Examining its simplest case, we find a connection to a minisuperspace model of general relativity in arbitrary dimensions. This is a first step in interpreting variables in canonical tensor model based on the known language of general relativity.
The tensor model can be regarded as theory of dynamical fuzzy spaces, and gives a way to formulate gravity on fuzzy spaces. It has recently been shown that the low-lying fluctuations around the Gaussian background solutions in the tensor model agree correctly with the metric fluctuations on the flat spaces with general dimensions in the general relativity. This suggests that the local gauge symmetry (the symmetry of local translations) is also emergent around these solutions. To systematically study this possibility, I apply the BRS gauge fixing procedure to the tensor model. The ghost kinetic…
We study perturbations of 4-dimensional fuzzy spheres as backgrounds in the IKKT or IIB matrix model. Gauge fields and metric fluctuations are identified among the excitation modes with lowest spin, supplemented by a tower of higher-spin fields. They arise from an internal structure which can be viewed as a twisted bundle over $S^4$, leading to a covariant noncommutative geometry. The linearized 4-dimensional Einstein equations are obtained from the classical matrix model action under certain conditions, modified by an IR cutoff. Some one-loop contributions to the effective action are computed…
Progress in the new information-theoretic process physics is reported in which the link to the phenomenology of general relativity is made. In process physics the fundamental assumption is that reality is to be modelled as self-organising semantic (or internal or relational) information using a self-referentially limited neural network model. Previous progress in process physics included the demonstration that space and quantum physics are emergent and unified, with time a distinct non-geometric process, that quantum phenomena are caused by fractal topological defects embedded in and forming a…
We study a six matrix model with global $SO(3)\times SO(3)$ symmetry containing at most quartic powers of the matrices. This theory exhibits a phase transition from a geometrical phase at low temperature to a Yang-Mills matrix phase with no background geometrical structure at high temperature. This is an exotic phase transition in the same universality class as the three matrix model but with important differences. The geometrical phase is determined dynamically, as the system cools, and is given by a fuzzy four-sphere background ${\bf S}^2_N\times{\bf S}^2_N$, with an Abelian gauge field whic…
Closed, singularity-free, inflationary cosmological models have recently been studied in the context of general relativity. Despite their appeal, these so called emergent models suffer from a number of limitations. These include the fact that they rely on an initial Einstein static state to describe the past eternal phase of the universe. Given the instability of such a state within the context of general relativity, this amounts to a very severe fine tuning. Also in order to be able to study the dynamics of the universe within the context of general relativity, they set the initial conditions…
Research during the last one decade or so suggests that the gravitational field equations in a large class of theories (including, but not limited to, general relativity) have the same status as the equations of, say, gas dynamics or elasticity. This paradigm provides a refreshingly different way of interpreting spacetime dynamics and highlights the fact that several features of classical gravitational theories have direct thermodynamic interpretation. I review the recent progress in this approach, achieved during the last few years.
The k-essence theories admit in general the superluminal propagation of the perturbations on classical backgrounds. We show that in spite of the superluminal propagation the causal paradoxes do not arise in these theories and in this respect they are not less safe than General Relativity.
Traditional derivations of general relativity from the graviton degrees of freedom assume space-time Lorentz covariance as an axiom. In this essay, we survey recent evidence that general relativity is the unique spatially-covariant effective field theory of the transverse, traceless graviton degrees of freedom. The Lorentz covariance of general relativity, having not been assumed in our analysis, is thus plausibly interpreted as an accidental or emergent symmetry of the gravitational sector. From this point of view, Lorentz covariance is a necessary feature of low-energy graviton dynamics, not…
Modern physics, via the standard model with Higgs mechanism and string theory for example, has supplied ether-like models and emergent general relativity scenarios that substantially weaken the usual defense of orthodox relativity and abstract, relational space-time in general. Over a dozen arguments in support of relativism against space-substances are discussed. It is not known whether perceived space-time is fundamental or due to a condensed state or string theoretical membrane. Emergent relativity indicates perhaps a whole tower of more fundamental space-times. Whether space is best descri…
The aim of this work is to model the evolution of the cosmic space based on thermodynamical parameters. The universe is considered to have an apparent horizon radius with a Kodama-Hayward temperature assigned to it. The method is founded on the fact proposed by Padmanabhan [1,2] that the subtraction of the surface and bulk degrees of freedom provides information on the cosmic space emergence. The fact of the matter is that in this approach the Raychaudhuri equation could even be obtained by the consideration of only thermodynamical parameters. As such, the standard general relativity is taken …
Recently, motivated by certain loop quantum gravity inspired corrections, it was shown that for spherically symmetric midisuperspace models infinitely many second derivative theories of gravity exist (as revealed by the presence of three arbitrary functions in the corresponding Lagrangian/Hamiltonian) and not just those allowed by spherically symmetric general relativity. This freedom can be interpreted as the freedom to accommodate certain quantum gravity corrections in these models even in the absence of higher curvature terms (at a semi-classical level, at least). For a particular choice of…
We present some general approach to emergent gauge theories and consider in significant detail the emergent tensor field gravity case. In essence, an arbitrary local theory of a symmetric two-tensor field $H_{μν}$ in Minkowski spacetime is considered, in which the equations of motion are required to be compatible with a nonlinear $σ$ model type length-fixing constraint $H_{μν}^{2}=\pm M^{2}$ leading to spontaneous Lorentz invariance violation, SLIV ($M$ is the proposed scale for SLIV). Allowing the parameters in the Lagrangian to be adjusted so as to be consistent with this constraint, the the…
The phenomena of emergent fuzzy geometry and noncommutative gauge theory from Yang-Mills matrix models is briefly reviewed. In particular, the eigenvalues distributions of Yang-Mills matrix models in lower dimensions in the commuting (matrix or Yang-Mills) phase of these models are discussed.
A rank-three tensor model in canonical formalism has recently been proposed. The model describes consistent local-time evolutions of fuzzy spaces through a set of first-class constraints which form an on-shell closed algebra with structure functions. In fact, the algebra provides an algebraically consistent discretization of the Dirac-DeWitt constraint algebra in the canonical formalism of general relativity. However, the configuration space of this model contains obvious degeneracies of representing identical fuzzy spaces. In this paper, to delete the degeneracies, another first-class constra…
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics（Perimeter理论物理研究所）；Tsinghua University（清华大学）；Cornell University（康奈尔大学）；Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute)（马克斯·普朗克引力物理研究所（爱因斯坦研究所））；California Institute of Technology（加州理工学院）
We derive new space-time uncertainty relations (STUR) at the fundamental Planck length $L_P$ from quantum mechanics and general relativity (GR), both in flat and curved backgrounds. Contrary to claims present in the literature, our approach suggests that no minimal uncertainty appears for lengths, but instead for minimal space and four-volumes. Moreover, we derive a maximal absolute value for the energy density. Finally, some considerations on possible commutators among quantum operators implying our STUR are done.
The notion that the metric field in general relativity can be understood as a property of space-time rests on a feature of the theory sometimes called universal coupling -- the claim that rods and clocks "measure" the metric in a way that is independent of their constitution. It is pointed out that this feature is not strictly a consequence of the central dynamical tenets of the theory, and argued that the metric field would better be regarded as a (possibly emergent) field in space-time, rather than as the very fabric of space-time itself.
Barbour, Foster and Ó Murchadha have recently developed a new framework, called here {\it{the 3-space approach}}, for the formulation of classical bosonic dynamics. Neither time nor a locally Minkowskian structure of spacetime are presupposed. Both arise as emergent features of the world from geodesic-type dynamics on a space of 3-dimensional metric--matter configurations. In fact gravity, the universal light cone and Abelian gauge theory minimally coupled to gravity all arise naturally through a single common mechanism. It yields relativity -- and more -- without presupposing relativity. This…
We present a study of D=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills matrix models with SO(3) mass terms based on the Monte Carlo method. In the bosonic models we show the existence of an exotic first/second order transition from a phase with a well defined background geometry (the fuzzy sphere) to a phase with commuting matrices with no geometry in the sense of Connes. At the transition point the sphere expands abruptly to infinite size then it evaporates as we increase the temperature (the gauge coupling constant). The transition looks first order due to the discontinuity in the action whereas it looks secon…
We present a study of D=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills matrix models with SO(3) mass terms based on the cohomological approach and the Monte Carlo method. In the bosonic models we show the existence of an exotic first/second order transition from a phase with a well defined background geometry (the fuzzy sphere) to a phase with commuting matrices with no geometry in the sense of Connes. At the transition point the sphere expands abruptly to infinite size then it evaporates as we increase the temperature (the gauge coupling constant). The transition looks first order due to the discontinuity in th…
If general relativity is an emergent phenomenon, there may be small violations of diffeomorphism invariance. We propose a phenomenology of perturbatively small violations of general relativity by the inclusion of terms which break general covariance. These can be tested by matching to the Parametrized Post Newtonian (PPN) formalism. The most sensitive tests involve pulsar timing and provide an extremely strong bound, with a dimensionless constraint of order 10^{-20} relative to gravitational strength.
We discuss the reconstruction of generic 3+1-dimensional space-time geometries from covariant quantum spaces as backgrounds in the IKKT matrix model. An explicit recipe to realize generic classical geometries is provided. Even though this typically entails some higher-spin contributions, these do not significantly modify the physical content of the model in the weak gravity regime. This justifies the framework for emergent gravity given by the semi-classical matrix model, supplemented by an induced Einstein-Hilbert action which arises in the presence of fuzzy extra dimensions.
There ought to exist a reformulation of quantum theory which does not depend on classical time. To achieve such a reformulation, we introduce the concept of an atom of space-time-matter (STM). An STM atom is a classical non-commutative geometry, based on an asymmetric metric, and sourced by a closed string. Different such atoms interact via entanglement. The statistical thermodynamics of a large number of such atoms gives rise, at equilibrium, to a theory of quantum gravity. Far from equilibrium, where statistical fluctuations are large, the emergent theory reduces to classical general relativ…
The canonical tensor model (CTM) is a tensor model proposing a classically and quantum mechanically consistent model of gravity, formulated as a first-class constraint system with structural similarities to the ADM formalism of general relativity. A recent study on the formal continuum limit of the classical CTM has shown that it produces a general relativistic system. This formal continuum limit assumes the emergence of a continuous space, but ultimately continuous spaces should be obtained as preferred configurations of the quantum CTM. In this paper we study the symmetry properties of a wav…
This letter describes a novel derivation of general relativity by considering the (non)self-consistency of theories whose Hamiltonians are constraints. The constraints, from Hamilton's equations, generate the evolution, while the evolution, in turn, must preserve the constraints. This closure requirement can be used as a selection mechanism for general relativity starting from a very simple set of assumptions. The configuration space is chosen to be a family of $3 \times 3$ positive definite symmetric matrices on some bare 3-manifold. A general Hamiltonian is constructed on this space of matri…
Since the advent of quantum mechanics we have mainly been concerned with its predictions from the perspective of an external observer. This is in strong contrast to the theory of general relativity, where the physics is governed by the intrinsic properties of space-time. At the same time, the precise relation between space-time and quantum mechanics is still one of the greatest problems of theoretical physics. This immediately raises the question on the completeness of our understanding of quantum mechanics. Here we address the problem by making an intrinsic analysis of observables in generic …
After reviewing recently suggested operational "principles of the quantumness", I address the problem on whether Quantum Theory (QT) and Special Relativity (SR) are unrelated theories, or instead, if the one implies the other. I show how SR can be indeed derived from causality of QT, within the computational paradigm "the universe is a huge quantum computer", reformulating QFT as a Quantum-Computational Field Theory (QCFT). In QCFT SR emerges from the fabric of the computational network, which also naturally embeds gauge invariance. In this scheme even the quantization rule and the Planck cons…
From the Physics point of view, time is now best described through General Relativity, as part of space-time which is a dynamical object encoding gravity. Time possesses also some intrinsic irreversibility due to thermodynamics, quantum mechanical effects... This irreversibility can look puzzling since time-like loops (and hence time machines) can appear in General Relativity (for example in the Goedel universe, a solution of Einstein's equations). We take this apparent discrepancy as a warning bell pointing to us that time as we understand it, might not be fundamental and that whatever theory…
The ten-parameter, quadratic Poincaré gauge theory of gravity is a plausible alternative to general relativity. We show that the rich background cosmology of the gauge theory is described by a non-canonical bi-scalar-tensor theory in the Jordan frame: the `metrical analogue'. This provides a unified framework for future investigation by the broader community. For many parameter choices, the non-canonical term reduces to a Cuscuton field of the form $\smash{\sqrt{|X^{ϕϕ}|}}$. The Einstein-Cartan-Kibble-Sciama theory maps to a pure quadratic Cuscuton, whereas the teleparallel theory maps to the …
We study a model for gravity in 3+1 dimensions, inspired in general relativity in 2+1 dimensions. In contrast regular general relativity in 3+1 dimensions, the model postulates that space in absence of matter is flat. The requirement that the Einstein equation still holds for the complete spacetime, implies that matter may only appear as conical defects of co-dimension 2, which may be interpreted as straight cosmic strings moving at a constant velocity. The study of collisions of these defects reveals that the dynamics of the model is incomplete. Certain highly energetic collisions of almost p…
Informational dependence between statistical or quantum subsystems can be described with Fisher matrix or Fubini-Study metric obtained from variations of the sample/configuration space coordinates. Using these non-covariant objects as macroscopic constraints we consider statistical ensembles over the space of classical probability distributions or quantum wave-functions. The ensembles are covariantized using dual field theories with either complex or real scalar fields identified with complex wave-functions or square root of probabilities. We argue that a full space-time covariance on a field …
