Immirzi parameter and Noether charges in first order gravity
R. Durka
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17 pages, (new template, corrected typos), to appear in Proceedings of "Quantum Theory and Symmetries 7" Prague, Journal of Physics: Conference Series (JPCS)
The framework of SO(3,2) constrained BF theory applied to gravity makes it possible to generalize formulas for gravitational diffeomorphic Noether charges (mass, angular momentum, and entropy). It extends Wald's approach to the case of first order gravity with a negative cosmological constant, the Holst modification and the topological terms (Nieh-Yan, Euler, and Pontryagin). Topological invariants play essential role contributing to the boundary terms in the regularization scheme for the asymptotically AdS spacetimes, so that the differentiability of the action is automatically secured. Intriguingly, it turns out that the black hole thermodynamics does not depend on the Immirzi parameter for the AdS-Schwarzschild, AdS-Kerr, and topological black holes, whereas a nontrivial modification appears for the AdS-Taub-NUT spacetime, where it impacts not only the entropy, but also the total mass.
We derive and analyze Noether charges associated with the diffeomorphism invariance for the constrained SO(2,3) BF theory. This result generalizes the Wald approach to the case of the first order gravity with a negative cosmological constant, the Holst modification and topological terms (Nieh-Yan, Euler, and Pontryagin). We show that differentiability of the action is automatically implemented by the the structure of the constrained BF model. Finally, we calculate the AdS--Schwarzschild black hole entropy from the Noether charge and we find that, unexpectedly, it does not depend on the Immirzi…
We study an Immirzi-like ambiguity in three-dimensional quantum gravity. It shares some features with the Immirzi parameter of four-dimensional loop quantum gravity: it does not affect the equations of motion, but modifies the Poisson brackets and the constraint algebra at the canonical level. We focus on the length operator and show how to define it through non-commuting fluxes. We compute its spectrum and show the effect of this Immirzi-like ambiguity. Finally, we extend these considerations to 4d gravity and show how the different topological modifications of the action affect the canonical…
The geometrical spectra in loop quantum gravity (LQG) suffer from ambiguity up to the free Immirzi parameter that is often determined by comparing results from the theory with the established dynamics at the black hole horizon. We address conceptual difficulties associated with such approaches and point out that the Immirzi parameter can be fixed naively by applying the LQG version of the equipartition rule at a holographic boundary such that the Hawking-Unruh temperature law follows. The value of the Immirzi parameter derived in this way should possess universal validity. This approach also p…
We shall here discuss a new spacetime gauge-covariant Lagrangian formulation of General Relativity by means of the Barbero-Immirzi SU(2)-connection on spacetime. To the best of our knowledge the Lagrangian based on SU(2) spacetime fields seems to appear here for the first time.
An so(4,C)-covariant hamiltonian formulation of a family of generalized Hilbert-Palatini actions depending on a parameter (the so called Immirzi parameter) is developed. It encompasses the Ashtekar-Barbero gravity which serves as a basis of quantum loop gravity. Dirac quantization of this system is constructed. Next we study dependence of the quantum system on the Immirzi parameter. The path integral quantization shows no dependence on it. A way to modify the loop approach in the accordance with the formalism developed here is briefly outlined.
Working in the first order formalism of gravity, we propose an action that combines the self and anti-self-dual parts of the curvature and comprises all the diffeomorphism invariant Lagrangians that one can consider in this formalism. The action that we propose is motivated by (A)dS gauge theories of gravity. We use this action to derive the (2+1)-dimensional version of the Immirzi parameter. Our derivation relates explicitly the Immirzi parameter to the existence of two classically equivalent actions for the description of gravity in (2+1) dimensions, namely the standard and exotic actions in…
In this letter we have shown that a possible connection between the LQG Immirzi parameter and the area of a punctured surface can emerge depending on the thermostatistics theory previously chosen. Starting from the Boltzmann-Gibbs entropy, the Immirzi parameter can be reobtained. Using the Kaniadakis statistics, which is an important non-Gaussian statistics, we have derived a new relation between the Immirzi parameter, the kappa parameter and the area of a punctured surface. After that, we have compared our result with the Immirzi parameter previously obtained in the literature within the cont…
Conformal loop quantum gravity provides an approach to loop quantization through an underlying conformal structure i.e. conformally equivalent class of metrics. The property that general relativity itself has no conformal invariance is reinstated with a constrained scalar field setting the physical scale. Conformally equivalent metrics have recently been shown to be amenable to loop quantization including matter coupling. It has been suggested that conformal geometry may provide an extended symmetry to allow a reformulated Immirzi parameter necessary for loop quantization to behave like an arb…
We extend the definition of the "flipped" loop-quantum-gravity vertex to the case of a finite Immirzi parameter. We cover the Euclidean as well as the Lorentzian case. We show that the resulting dynamics is defined on a Hilbert space isomorphic to the one of loop quantum gravity, and that the area operator has the same discrete spectrum as in loop quantum gravity. This includes the correct dependence on the Immirzi parameter, and, remarkably, holds in the Lorentzian case as well. The ad hoc flip of the symplectic structure that was initially required to derive the flipped vertex is not anymore…
This paper investigates the implications from area quantization in Loop Quantum Gravity, particularly focusing on the application of the Landauer principle -- a fundamental thermodynamic concept establishing a connection between information theory and thermodynamics. By leveraging the Landauer principle in conjunction with the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy law, we derive the usual value for the Immirzi parameter precisely, $γ= \ln2/(π\sqrt{3})$, without using the typical procedure that involves the Boltzmann-Gibbs entropy. Furthermore, following an analogous procedure, we derive a modified expres…
We propose a Nieh-Yan extension of f (R) models in the presence of Immirzi field and the resulting theory is studied in the context of first order formalism. We claim as in our model the ambiguities related to the Palatini vacuum case are solved, allowing us to extend the range of applicability of the method proposed in [4] to a wider class of f (R) theories. In particular we analyze within such a theoretical framework the propagation of gravitational waves in vacuum and outline as a dynamical Immirzi field could be regarded as a propagating torsion field with non-trivial and detectable effect…
The Immirzi parameter of loop quantum gravity is a one parameter ambiguity of the theory whose precise interpretation is not universally agreed upon. It is an inherent characteristic of the quantum theory as it appears in the spectra of geometric operators, despite being irrelevant at the classical level. The parameter's appearance in the area and volume spectra to the same power as the Planck area suggest that it plays a role in determining the fundamental length scale of space. In fact, a consistent interpretation is that it represents a constant rescaling of the kinematical spatial geometry…
It is argued that, using the black hole area entropy law together with the Boltzmann-Gibbs statistical mechanics and the quasinormal modes of the black holes, it is possible to determine univocally the lowest possible value for the spin $j$ in the context of the Loop Quantum Gravity theory which is $j_{min}=1$. Consequently, the value of Immirzi parameter is given by $γ= \ln 3/(2π\sqrt{2})$. In this paper, we have shown that if we use Tsallis microcanonical entropy rather than Boltzmann-Gibbs framework then the minimum value of the label $j$ depends on the nonextensive $q$-parameter and may ha…
In the context of the geometrical interpretation of the spin network states of Loop Quantum Gravity, we look at the holonomies of the Ashtekar-Barbero connection on loops embedded in space-like hyperboloids. We use this simple setting to illustrate two points. First, the Ashtekar-Barbero connection is not a space-time connection, its holonomies depend on the spacetime embedding of the canonical hypersurface. This fact is usually interpreted as an inconvenience, but we use it to extract the extrinsic curvature from the holonomy and separate it from the 3d intrinsic curvature. Second, we show th…
One of the virtues of the Ashtekar variables is the simplification of the initial value constraints for gravity. In the case of self-dual variables this entails a complexification of the phase space which comes at the expense of having to implement reality conditions in the Lorentzian signature case. A reformulation of the theory in terms of real variables eliminates this difficulty, albeit at the expense of having to deal with a more complicated Hamiltonian constraint. The set of available gravitational theories classically equivalent to Einstein's is parametrized by a parameter $β$, known as…
One parameter quantization ambiguity is existed in Loop quantum gravity which is called the Immirzi parameter. In this paper, we fix this free paremater by considering the quasinormal mode spectrum of black holes in four and higher spacetime dimensions. As a consequence, our result consistents with Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of a black hole. Moreover, we also give a possible quantum gravity explanation of the universal $\ln(3)$ behavior of the quasinormal mode spectrum.
The Barbero-Immirzi parameter ($γ$) is introduced in loop quantum gravity (LQG) whose physical significance is still a biggest open question; because of its profound traits. In some cases, it is real-valued; while, it is complex-valued in other cases. This parameter emerges out in the process of denoting a Lorentz connection with non compact group $SO(3,1)$ in the form of a complex connection with values in a compact group of rotations, either $SO(3)$ or $SU(2)$. Initially, it was appeared in the Ashtekar variables. Fernando Barbero proposed its possibility to include within formalism. Its pre…
A general argument provides the motivation to consider the Barbero--Immirzi parameter as a field. The specific form of the geometrical effective action allows to relate the value of the Barbero--Immirzi parameter to other quantum ambiguities through the analog of the Peccei--Quinn mechanism.
We clarify the role played by the Immirzi parameter in classical gravity coupled to fermions. Considering the general non-minimal coupling, we show that, although the torsion depends explicitly on the Immirzi parameter, in a suitable parametrization the effective action obtained by integrating out the spin-connection is independent of it. Thus the Immirzi parameter is not detectable in classical theory even after coupling of fermions.
We propose a novel BF-type formulation of real four-dimensional gravity, which generalizes previous models. In particular, it allows for an arbitrary Immirzi parameter. We also construct the analogue of the Urbantke metric for this model.
Barbero has generalized the Ashtekar canonical transformation to a one-parameter scale transformation $U(ι)$ on the phase space of general relativity. Immirzi has noticed that in loop quantum gravity this transformation alters the spectra of geometrical quantities. We show that $U(ι)$ is a canonical transformation that cannot be implement unitarily in the quantum theory. This implies that there exists a one-parameter quantization ambiguity in quantum gravity, namely a free parameter that enters the construction of the quantum theory. The purpose of this letter is to elucidate the origin and th…
In the context of f(R) generalizations to the Holst action, endowed with a dynamical Immirzi field, we derive an analytic solution describing asymptotically anti-de Sitter black holes with hyperbolic horizon. These exhibit a scalar hair of the second kind which ultimately depends on the Immirzi field radial behaviour. In particular, we show how the Immirzi field modifies the usual entropy law associated to the black hole. We also verify that the Immirzi field boils down to a constant value in the asymptotic region, thus restoring the standard loop quantum gravity picture. We finally prove the …
We promote the Immirzi parameter to be a minimally coupled scalar field and we analyzed the Hamiltonian constraints in the framework of Loop Quantum Gravity without the time gauge. Proper SU(2) connections can be defined and a term containing derivatives of the field $β$ enters into their definition. Furthermore, boost degrees of freedom are non-dynamical, while the super-momentum constraints coincide with the scalar field case. Hence, the kinematical Hilbert space can be defined as for gravity in presence of a minimally coupled scalar field. Then, we analyzed the dynamical implications of thi…
The Barbero-Immirzi (BI) parameter is promoted to a field and a canonical analysis is performed when it is coupled with a Nieh-Yan topological invariant. It is shown that, in the effective theory, the BI field is a canonical pseudoscalar minimally coupled with gravity. This framework is argued to be more natural than the one of the usual Holst action. Potential consequences in relation with inflation and the quantum theory are briefly discussed.
The Immirzi ambiguity arises in loop quantum gravity when geometric operators are represented in terms of different connections that are related by means of an extended Wick transform. We analyze the action of this transform in gravity coupled with matter fields and discuss its analogy with the Wick rotation on which the Thiemann transform between Euclidean and Lorentzian gravity is based. In addition, we prove that the effect of this extended Wick transform is equivalent to a constant scale transformation as far as the symplectic structure and kinematical constraints are concerned. This equiv…
We argue that the effective gauge group for {\it pure} four-dimensional loop quantum gravity(LQG) is SO(3) (or $SO(3,C)$) instead of SU(2) (or $SL(2,C)$). As a result, links with half-integer spins in spin network states are not realized for {\it pure} LQG, implying a modification of the spectra of area and volume operators. Our observations imply a new value of $γ\approx 0.170$ for the Immirzi parameter which is obtained from matching the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy to the number of states from LQG calculations. Moreover, even if the dominant contribution to the entropy is not assumed to come …
Using quadratic spinor techniques we demonstrate that the Immirzi parameter can be expressed as ratio between scalar and pseudo-scalar contributions in the theory and can be interpreted as a measure of how Einstein gravity differs from a generally constructed covariant theory for gravity. This interpretation is independent of how gravity is quantized. One of the important advantage of deriving the Immirzi parameter using the quadratic spinor techniques is to allow the introduction of renormalization scale associated with the Immirzi parameter through the expectation value of the spinor field u…
In order to introduce an interaction between gravity and fermions in the Ashtekar-Barbero-Immirzi formalism without affecting classical dynamics a non-minimal term is necessary. The non-minimal term together with the Holst modification to the Hilbert-Palatini action reconstruct the Nieh-Yan invariant. As a consequence the Immirzi parameter, differently from the minimal coupling approach, does not affect the classical dynamics, which is described by the Einstein-Cartan action.
We introduce a covariant formulation of Barbero-Immirzi connections, which are used in Loop Quantum Gravity to describe gravity. We show that Barbero-Immirzi connections can be uniquely defined out of a given spin connection for any $(n+1)$-dimensional lorentzian manifold which is spin. A remarkable result is that the presence of a real Barbero-Immirzi parameter is a feature unique to the $4$-dimensional case.
We study the field equations of the Plebanski action for general relativity when both the cosmological constant and an Immirzi parameter are present. We show that the Lagrange multiplier, which usually gets identified with the Weyl curvature, now acquires a trace part. Some consequences of this for a class of modified gravity theories recently proposed in the literature are briefly discussed.
Starting from a Lagrangian we perform the full constraint analysis of the Hamiltonian for General relativity in the tetrad-connection formulation for an arbitrary value of the Immirzi parameter and solve the second class constraints, presenting the theory with a Hamiltonian composed of first class constraints which are the generators of the gauge symmetries of the action. In the time gauge we then recover Barbero's formulation of gravity.
The 1-parameter family of transformations identified by Barbero and Immirzi plays a significant role in non-perturbative approaches to quantum gravity, among them Loop Quantum Gravity and Spin Foams. It facilitates the loop quantization programme and subsequently the Barbero-Immirzi parameter (gamma) arises in both the spectra of geometrical operators and in the dynamics provided by Spin Foams. However, the debate continues as to whether quantum physics should be Barbero-Immirzi parameter dependent. Starting from a discrete SO(4)-BF theory phase space, we find two possible reductions with resp…
We consider gravity in 2+1 space-time dimensions, with negative cosmological constant and a `Barbero-Immirzi' (B-I) like parameter, when the space-time topology is of the form $ T^2 \times \mathbbm{R}$. The phase space structure, both in covariant and canonical framework is analyzed. Full quantization of the theory in the 'constrain first' approach reveals a finite dimensional physical Hilbert space. An explicit construction of wave functions is presented. The dimension of the Hilbert space is found to depend on the `Barbero-Immirzi' like parameter in an interesting fashion. Comparative study …
Starting with a generalized theory of 2+1 gravity containing an Immirzi like parameter, we derive the modified laws of black hole mechanics using the formalism of weak isolated horizons. Definitions of horizon mass and angular momentum emerge naturally in this framework. We further go on to analyze the asymptotic symmetries, as first discussed by Brown and Henneaux, and analyze their implications in a completely covariant phase space framework.
We analyze changes of the Immirzi parameter in loop quantum gravity and compare their consequences with those of Lorentz boosts and constant conformal transformations in black hole physics. We show that the effective value deduced for the Planck length in local measurements of vacuum black holes by an asymptotic observer may depend on its conformal or Lorentz frame. This introduces an apparent ambiguity in the expression of the black hole entropy which is analogous to that produced by the Immirzi parameter. For quantities involving a notion of energy, the similarity between the implications of…
We study perturbative quantum gravity in the first-order tetrad formalism. The lowest order action corresponds to Einstein-Cartan plus a parity-odd term, and is known in the literature as the Holst action. The coupling constant of the parity-odd term can be identified with the Immirzi parameter of loop quantum gravity. We compute the quantum effective action in the one-loop expansion. As in the metric second-order formulation, we find that in the case of pure gravity the theory is on-shell finite, and the running of Newton's constant and the Immirzi parameter is inessential. In the presence of…
The action principle of the BF type introduced by Capovilla, Montesinos, Prieto, and Rojas (CMPR) which describes general relativity with Immirzi parameter is modified in order to allow the inclusion of the cosmological constant. The resulting action principle is on the same footing as the original Plebanski action in the sense that the equations of motion coming from the new action principle are equivalent to the Holst action principle plus a cosmological constant without the need of imposing additional restrictions on the fields. We consider this result a relevant step towards the coupling o…
We perform the coupling of the scalar, Maxwell, and Yang-Mills fields as well as the cosmological constant to BF gravity with Immirzi parameter. The proposed action principles employ auxiliary fields in order to keep a polynomial dependence on the B fields. By handling the equations of motion for the B field and for the auxiliary fields, these latter can be expressed in terms of the physical fields and by substituting these expressions into the original action principles we recover the first-order (Holst) and second-order actions for gravity coupled to the physical matter fields. We consider t…
It was showed by Perez and Rovelli in 2006 that the Holst action in gravity with torsion with massless and minimally coupling Dirac fermions gives rise to the four-fermion coupling term, whose coefficient is a function of the Barbero-Immirzi (BI) parameter. This parameter is present in the Holst action, which is an object of investigation in a non-perturbative formalism of quantum gravity. The key feature is the torsion because its absence implies no effect from Holst term in dynamical equations. In this paper we consider a spin fluid (also called Weyssenhoff fluid), which is a perfect fluid t…
The Immirzi parameter is promoted to be a scalar field and the Hamiltonian analysis of the corresponding dynamical system is performed in the presence of gravity. We identified some SU(2) connections, generalizing Ashtekar-Barbero variables, and we rewrite the constraints in terms of them, setting the classical formulation suitable for loop quantization. Then, we consider the reduced system obtained when restricting to a flat isotropic cosmological model. By mimicking loop quantization via an effective semiclassical treatment, we outline how quantum effects are able to tame the initial singula…
The Ashtekar-Barbero formulation of general relativity admits a one-parameter family of canonical transformations that preserves the expressions of the Gauss and diffeomorphism constraints. The loop quantization of the connection formalism based on each of these canonical sets leads to different predictions. This phenomenon is called the Immirzi ambiguity. It has been recently argued that this ambiguity could be generalized to the extent of a spatially dependent function, instead of a parameter. This would ruin the predictability of loop quantum gravity. We prove that such expectations are not…
We embed the Loop Quantum Gravity Barbero-Immirzi parameter and field within an action describing 4D, $\cal N$ = 1 supergravity and thus within a Low Energy Effective Action of Superstring/M-Theory. We use the fully gauge-covariant description of supergravity in (curved) superspace. The gravitational constant is replaced with the vacuum expectation value of a scalar field, which in local supersymmetry is promoted to a complex, covariantly chiral scalar superfield. The imaginary part of this superfield couples to a supersymmetric Holst term. The Holst term also serves as a starting point in the…
The Kodama State for Lorentzian gravity presupposes a particular value for the Immirzi-parameter, namely $β=-i$. However, the derivation of black hole entropy in Loop Quantum Gravity suggests that the Immirzi parameter is a fixed value whose magnitude is on the order of unity but larger than one. Since the Kodama state has de-Sitter spacetime as its classical limit, to get the proper radiation temperature, the Kodama state should be extended to incorporate a more physical value for $β$. Thus, we present an extension of the Kodama state for arbitrary values of the Immirzi parameter, $β$, that r…
A detailed analysis of the BF formulation for general relativity given by Capovilla, Montesinos, Prieto, and Rojas is performed. The action principle of this formulation is written in an equivalent form by doing a transformation of the fields of which the action depends functionally on. The transformed action principle involves two BF terms and the two Lorentz invariants that appear in the original action principle generically. As an application of this formalism, the action principle used by Engle, Pereira, and Rovelli in their spin foam model for gravity is recovered and the coupling of the …
We revisit a propagating torsion gravity theory obtained by introducing a field coupled to the Holst term in the first-order Einstein-Cartan action. The resulting theory has second order field equations, no adjustable coupling constants, and one more propagating degree of freedom as compared to general relativity. When no fermions are present the theory is known to be equivalent to that of a single massless scalar field canonically coupled to gravity. We extend this result to the case with fermions and obtain an effective interaction between the scalar field and the fermionic currents. We also…
We investigate the consequences of the ambiguity of minimal coupling procedure for Einstein-Cartan gravity with Holst term and fermions. A new insight is provided into the nature and physical relevance of coupling procedures considered hitherto in the context of Ashtekar-Barbero-Immirzi formalism with fermions. The issue of physical effects of the Immirzi parameter in semi--classical theory is reinvestigated. We argue that the conclusive answer to the question of its measurability will not be possible until the more fundamental problem of nonuniqueness of gravity--induced fermion interaction i…
In this paper we revisit the canonical analysis of $BF$ gravity with the Immirzi parameter and a cosmological constant. By examining the constraint on the $B$ field, we realize that the analysis can be performed in a Lorentz-covariant fashion while utterly avoiding the introduction of second-class constraints during the whole process. Finally, we make contact with the description of the phase space of first-order general relativity in terms of canonical variables with manifest Lorentz covariance subject to first-class constraints only recently introduced.
The Barbero-Immirzi parameter is a one parameter quantization ambiguity underpinning the loop approach to quantum gravity that bears tantalizing similarities to the theta parameter of gauge theories such as Yang-Mills and QCD. Despite the apparent semblance, the Barbero-Immirzi field has resisted a direct topological interpretation along the same lines as the theta-parameter. Here we offer such an interpretation. Our approach begins from the perspective of Einstein-Cartan gravity as the symmetry broken phase of a de Sitter gauge theory. From this angle, just as in ordinary gauge theories, a th…
The minimal coupling method proved to yield definite and correct physical predictions when applied to fundamental fermions within the framework of Yang--Mills theories of Standard Model. Similarly, the possibility of formulating gravity as the Poincaré gauge theory gives the opportunity to produce definite predictions for fermions in the presence of gravitational field. The minimal coupling procedure, however, cannot be applied naively but rather needs to be modified slightly such that it is unambiguous. Application of the corrected coupling method to fermions, together with the inclusion of t…
We study the role of the Barbero-Immirzi parameter $γ$ and the choice of connection in the construction of (a symmetry-reduced version of) loop quantum gravity. We start with the four-dimensional Lorentzian Holst action that we reduce to three dimensions in a way that preserves the presence of $γ$. In the time gauge, the phase space of the resulting three-dimensional theory mimics exactly that of the four-dimensional one. Its quantization can be performed, and on the kinematical Hilbert space spanned by SU(2) spin network states the spectra of geometric operators are discrete and $γ$-dependent…
Action-level characterization of gravitational-wave propagation in dynamical Barbero--Immirzi gravity
State Key Laboratory of Radio Astronomy and Technology, Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences（中国科学院新疆天文台射电天文与技术重点实验室）；Shanxi Province Intelligent Optoelectronic Sensing Application Technology Innovation Center, Yuncheng University（运城学院山西省智能光电传感应用技术创新中心）；Departamento de Física Teórica, IF-UERJ（里约热内卢州立大学理论物理研究所）；College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Tarim University（塔里机械与电气工程学院）；Institute for Frontiers in Astronomy and Astrophysics, Beijing Normal University（北京师范大学天文与前沿物理研究所）；School of Physics and Astronomy, Beijing Normal University（北京师范大学物理与天文学院）
We give a unified description of all recent spin foam models introduced by Engle, Livine, Pereira and Rovelli (ELPR) and by Freidel and Krasnov (FK). We show that the FK models are, for all values of the Immirzi parameter, equivalent to path integrals of a discrete theory and we provide an explicit formula for the associated actions. We discuss the relation between the FK and ELPR models and also study the corresponding boundary states. For general Immirzi parameter, these are given by Alexandrov's and Livine's SO(4) projected states. For 0 <= gamma < 1, the states can be restricted to SU(2) s…
The polysymplectic formulation of the CMPR action, which is a BF-type formulation of General Relativity that involves an arbitrary Immirzi parameter, is performed. We implement a particular scheme within this covariant Hamiltonian approach to analyze the constraints that characterize the CMPR model. By means of the privileged $(n-1)$-forms and the Poisson-Gerstenhaber bracket, inherent to the polysymplectic framework, the BF field equations associated to the CMPR action are obtained and, in consequence, the Einstein equations naturally emerge by solving the simplicity constraints of the theory…
We explore the renormalization group (RG) properties of quantum gravity, using the vielbein and the spin connection as the fundamental field variables. We require the effective action to be invariant under the semidirect product of spacetime diffeomorphisms and local frame rotations. Starting from the corresponding functional integral we review the construction of an appropriate theory space and an exact funtional RG equation operating on it. We then solve this equation on a truncated space defined by a three parameter family of Holst-type actions which involve a running Immirzi parameter. We …
The Immirzi parameter is a constant appearing in the general relativity action used as a starting point for the loop quantization of gravity. The parameter is commonly believed not to show up in the equations of motion, because it appears in front of a term in the action that vanishes on shell. We show that in the presence of fermions, instead, the Immirzi term in the action does not vanish on shell, and the Immirzi parameter does appear in the equations of motion. It determines the coupling constant of a four-fermion interaction. Therefore the Immirzi parameter leads to effects that are obser…
In this paper we analyze the functional renormalization group flow of quantum gravity on the Einstein-Cartan theory space. The latter consists of all action functionals depending on the spin connection and the vielbein field (co-frame) which are invariant under both spacetime diffeomorphisms and local frame rotations. In the first part of the paper we develop a general methodology and corresponding calculational tools which can be used to analyze the flow equation for the pertinent effective average action for any truncation of this theory space. In the second part we apply it to a specific th…
Black hole entropy calculations which are based on counting of microstates and based on modified dispersion relations in the framework of loop quantum gravity are considered. We suggest that the inconsistency of two approaches can be explained by different ways. This inconsistency can affect the definition and constancy of the Immirzi parameter or order of the modification constants of dispersion relations. Possible results of these effects are discussed.
The Barbero-Immirzi parameter $γ$ appears in the \emph{real} connection formulation of gravity in terms of the Ashtekar variables, and gives rise to a one-parameter quantization ambiguity in Loop Quantum Gravity. In this paper we investigate the conditions under which $γ$ will have physical effects in Euclidean Quantum Gravity. This is done by constructing a well-defined Euclidean path integral for the Holst action with non-zero cosmological constant on a manifold with boundary. We find that two general conditions must be satisfied by the spacetime manifold in order for the Holst action and it…
We perform the Lorentz-covariant Hamiltonian analysis of two Lagrangian action principles that describe general relativity as a constrained BF theory and that include the Immirzi parameter. The relation between these two Lagrangian actions has been already studied through a map among the fields involved. The main difference between these is the way the Immirzi parameter is included, since in one of them the Immirzi parameter is included explicitly in the BF terms, whereas in the other (the CMPR action) it is in the constraint on the B fields. In this work we continue the analysis of their rela…
