Obstacles to the quantization of general relativity using symplectic structures
Tom McClain
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10 pages. Based on a presentation at the Second Hermann Minkowski Meeting on the Foundations of Spacetime Physics. Appears in "Spacetime: 1909 - 2019." Reinoud Jan Slagter and Zoltan Keresztes (Editors). Minkowski Institute Press, 2020
In this paper I give overviews of the polysymplectic approach to covariant Hamiltonian field theory and the simplest geometric quantization of classical particle theories. I then give a synopsis of a recently proposed toy model for applying this geometric quantization map to polysymplectic field theory. I show that no special difficulties arise when this toy model is applied to general relativity. I then sketch the reasons why the standard tools of covariant Hamiltonian field theory are not up to the challenge of GR, so that the resulting quantum theory cannot be taken seriously. A few remarks are given about prospects for future work.
In the (2+2) formulation of general relativity spacetime is foliated by a two-parameter family of spacelike 2-surfaces (instead of the more usual one-parameter family of spacelike 3-surfaces). In a partially gauge-fixed setting (double-null gauge), I write down the symplectic structure of general relativity in terms of intrinsic and extrinsic quantities associated with these 2-surfaces. This leads to an identification of the reduced phase space degrees of freedom. In particular, I show that the two physical degrees of freedom of general relativity are naturally encoded in a quantity closely re…
We consider two strongly hyperbolic Hamiltonian formulations of general relativity and their numerical integration with a free and a partially constrained symplectic integrator. In those formulations we use hyperbolic drivers for the shift and in one case also for the densitized lapse. A system where the densitized lapse is an external field allows to enforce the momentum constraints in a holonomically constrained Hamiltonian system and to turn the Hamilton constraint function from a weak to a strong invariant. These schemes are tested in a perturbed Minkowski and the Schwarzschild space-time.…
We consider symplectic time integrators in numerical General Relativity and discuss both free and constrained evolution schemes. For free evolution of ADM-like equations we propose the use of the Stoermer-Verlet method, a standard symplectic integrator which here is explicit in the computationally expensive curvature terms. For the constrained evolution we give a formulation of the evolution equations that enforces the momentum constraints in a holonomically constrained Hamiltonian system and turns the Hamilton constraint function from a weak to a strong invariant of the system. This formulati…
A hypersurface formed of two null sheets, or "light fronts", swept out by the future null normal geodesics emerging from a common spacelike 2-disk can serve as a Cauchy surface for a region of spacetime. Already in the 1960s free (unconstrained) initial data for general relativity were found for such hypersurfaces. Here an expression is obtained for the symplectic 2-form of vacuum general relativity in terms of such free data. This can be done, even though variations of the geometry do not in general preserve the nullness of the initial hypersurface, because of the diffeomorphism gauge invaria…
We show how to systematically apply the Faddeev-Jackiw symplectic method to General Relativity (GR) and to GR extensions. This provides a new coherent frame for Hamiltonian analyses of gravitational theories. The emphasis is on the classical dynamics, uncovering the constraints, the gauge transformations and the number of degrees of freedom; but the method results are also relevant for canonical quantization approaches. We illustrate the method with three applications: GR and to two Brans-Dicke cases (the standard case $ω\not= - 3/2$ and the case with one less degree of freedom, $ω= - 3/2$). W…
In the paraxial regime of Newtonian optics, propagation of an ensemble of rays is represented by a symplectic ABCD transfer matrix defined on a reduced phase space. Here, we present its analogue for general relativity. Starting from simultaneously applied null geodesic actions for two curves, we obtain a geodesic deviation action up to quadratic order. We achieve this by following a preexisting method constructed via Synge's world function. We find the corresponding Hamiltonian function and the reduced phase space coordinates that are composed of the components of the Jacobi fields projected o…
We identify a symplectic potential for general relativity in tetrad and connection variables that is fully gauge-invariant, using the freedom to add surface terms. When torsion vanishes, it does not lead to surface charges associated with the internal Lorentz transformations, and reduces exactly to the symplectic potential given by the Einstein-Hilbert action. In particular, it reproduces the Komar form when the variation is a Lie derivative, and the geometric expression in terms of extrinsic curvature and 2d corner data for a general variation. The additional surface term vanishes at spatial …
We study the action for the three-space formalism of General Relativity, better known as the BFÓ (Barbour--Foster--Ó Murchadha) action, which is a square-root BSW (Baierlein--Sharp--Wheeler) action. In particular, we explore the (pre)symplectic structure by pulling it back via a Legendre map to the tangent bundle of the configuration space of this action. With it we attain the canonical Lagrangian vector field which generates the gauge transformations (3-diffeomorphisms) and the true physical evolution of the system. This vector field encapsulates all the dynamics of the system. We also discus…
We begin with a review of the statements of non-linear, linear and mode stability of autonomous dynamical systems in classical mechanics, using symplectic geometry. We then discuss what the phase space and the Hamiltonian of general relativity are, what constitutes a dynamical system, and subsequently draw a formal analogy between the notions of stability in these two theories. Our approach here is pedagogical and geometric, and considerably simplifies a formal understanding of the statements regarding the stability of stationary solutions of general relativity. In particular, the governing eq…
Symplectic integrators that preserve the geometric structure of Hamiltonian flows and do not exhibit secular growth in energy errors are suitable for the long-term integration of N-body Hamiltonian systems in the solar system. However, the construction of explicit symplectic integrators is frequently difficult in general relativity because all variables are inseparable. Moreover, even if two analytically integrable splitting parts exist in a relativistic Hamiltonian, all analytical solutions are not explicit functions of proper time. Naturally, implicit symplectic integrators, such as the midp…
In previous papers, explicit symplectic integrators were designed for nonrotating black holes, such as a Schwarzschild black hole. However, they fail to work in the Kerr spacetime because not all variables can be separable, or not all splitting parts have analytical solutions as explicit functions of proper time. To cope with this difficulty, we introduce a time transformation function to the Hamiltonian of Kerr geometry so as to obtain a time-transformed Hamiltonian consisting of five splitting parts, whose analytical solutions are explicit functions of the new coordinate time. The chosen tim…
In a previous paper, second- and fourth-order explicit symplectic integrators were designed for a Hamiltonian of the Schwarzschild black hole. Following this work, we continue to trace the possibility of the construction of explicit symplectic integrators for a Hamiltonian of charged particles moving around a Reissner-Nordstrom black hole with an external magnetic field. Such explicit symplectic methods are still available when the Hamiltonian is separated into five independently integrable parts with analytical solutions as explicit functions of proper time. Numerical tests show that the prop…
We propose here a new symplectic quantization scheme, where quantum fluctuations of a scalar field theory stem from two main assumptions: relativistic invariance and equiprobability of the field configurations with identical value of the action. In this approach the fictitious time of stochastic quantization becomes a genuine additional time variable, with respect to the coordinate time of relativity. This proper time is associated to a symplectic evolution in the action space, which allows one to investigate not only asymptotic, i.e. equilibrium, properties of the theory, but also its non-equ…
We give a possible splitting method to a Hamiltonian for the description of charged particles moving around the Reissner-Nordstrom-(anti)-de Sitter black hole with an external magnetic field. This Hamiltonian can be separated into six analytical solvable pieces, whose solutions are explicit functions of proper time. In this case, second- and fourth-order explicit symplectic integrators are easily available. They exhibit excellent long-term behavior in maintaining the boundness of Hamiltonian errors regardless of ordered or chaotic orbits if appropriate step-sizes are chosen. Under some circums…
We consider a recently proposed extension of the Bondi-Metzner-Sachs algebra to include arbitrary infinitesimal diffeomorphisms on a (2)-sphere. To realize this extended algebra as asymptotic symmetries, we work with an extended class of spacetimes in which the unphysical metric at null infinity is not universal. We show that the symplectic current evaluated on these extended symmetries is divergent in the limit to null infinity. We also show that this divergence cannot be removed by a local and covariant redefinition of the symplectic current. This suggests that such an extended symmetry alge…
We investigate the covariant Hamiltonian symplectic structure of General Relativity for spatially bounded regions of spacetime with a fixed time-flow vector. For existence of a well-defined Hamiltonian variational principle taking into account a spatial boundary, it is necessary to modify the standard Arnowitt-Deser-Misner Hamiltonian by adding a boundary term whose form depends on the spatial boundary conditions for the gravitational field. The most general mathematically allowed boundary conditions and corresponding boundary terms are shown to be determined by solving a certain equation obta…
In this paper we continue to study a class of four-dimensional gravity models with n Abelian vector fields and Sp(2n)/U(n) coset of scalar fields. This class contains General Relativity (n=0) and Einstein-Maxwell dilaton-axion theory (n=1), which arizes in the low-energy limit of heterotic string theory. We perform reduction of the model with arbitrary $n$ to three dimensions and study the subgroup of non-gauge symmetries of the resulting theory. First, we find an explicit form these symmetries using Ernst matrix potential formulation. Second, we construct new matrix variable which linearly tr…
The phase space of a Hamiltonian system is symplectic. However, the post-Newtonian Hamiltonian formulation of spinning compact binaries in existing publications does not have this property, when position, momentum and spin variables $[X, P, S_1, S_2]$ compose its phase space. This may give a convenient application of perturbation theory to the derivation of the post-Newtonian formulation, but also makes classic theories of a symplectic Hamiltonian system be a serious obstacle in application, especially in diagnosing integrability and nonintegrability from a dynamical system theory perspective.…
Numerical algorithms based on variational and symplectic integrators exhibit special features that make them promising candidates for application to general relativity and other constrained Hamiltonian systems. This paper lays part of the foundation for such applications. The midpoint rule for Hamilton's equations is examined from the perspectives of variational and symplectic integrators. It is shown that the midpoint rule preserves the symplectic form, conserves Noether charges, and exhibits excellent long--term energy behavior. The energy behavior is explained by the result, shown here, tha…
A novel structure-preserving algorithm for general relativity in vacuum is derived from a lattice gauge theoretic discretization of the tetradic Palatini action. The resulting model of discrete gravity is demonstrated to preserve local Lorentz invariance and symplectic structure.
The various roles of boundary terms in the gravitational Lagrangian and Hamiltonian are explored. A symplectic Hamiltonian-boundary-term approach is ideally suited for a large class of quasilocal energy-momentum expressions for general relativity. This approach provides a physical interpretation for many of the well-known gravitational energy-momentum expressions including all of the pseudotensors, associating each with unique boundary conditions. From this perspective we find that the pseudotensors of Einstein and Møller (which is closely related to Komar's superpotential) are especially natu…
We continue a previous analysis of the covariant Hamiltonian symplectic structure of General Relativity for spatially bounded regions of spacetime. To allow for near complete generality, the Hamiltonian is formulated using any fixed hypersurface, with a boundary given by a closed spacelike 2-surface. A main result is that we obtain Hamiltonians associated to Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions on the gravitational field coupled to matter sources, in particular a Klein-Gordon field, an electromagnetic field, and a set of Yang-Mills-Higgs fields. The Hamiltonians are given by a covariant f…
Geometrically the phase space of a mechanical system involves the co-tangent bundle of the configuration space. The phase space of a relativistic field theory is infinite dimensional and can be endowed with a symplectic structure defined in a perfectly co-variant manner that is very useful for discussing symmetries and conserved quantities of the system. In general relativity the symplectic structure takes Darboux form and it is shown in this work that the presence of a cosmological constant does not change this conclusion. For space-times that admit time-like Killing vectors the formalism can…
Building towards a more covariant approach to canonical classical and quantum gravity we outline an approach to constrained dynamics that de-emphasizes the role of the Hamiltonian phase space and highlights the role of the Lagrangian phase space. We identify a "Lagrangian one-form" to replace the standard symplectic one-form, which we use to construct the canonical constraints and an associated constraint algebra. The method is particularly useful for generally covariant systems and systems with a degenerate canonical symplectic form, such as Einstein Cartan gravity, to which we apply the meth…
One of the most difficult questions in present-day physics concerns a fundamental theory of space, time, and matter that incorporates a consistent quantum description of gravity. There are various theoretical approaches to such a quantum-gravity theory. Nevertheless, experimental progress is hampered in this research field because many models predict deviations from established physics that are suppressed by some power of the Planck scale, which currently appears to be immeasurably small. However, tests of relativity theory provide one promising avenue to overcome this phenomenological obstacl…
We recall some of the obstacles which arise when one tries to reconcile the general theory of relativity with quantum theory. We consider the possibility that gravitation theories which include torsion, and not only curvature, provide better insight into a quantum theory of gravity. We speculate on how the Dirac equation and Einstein gravity could be thought of as limiting cases of a gravitation theory which possesses torsion.
Of those gauge theories of gravity known to be equivalent to general relativity, only the biconformal gauging introduces new structures - the quotient of the conformal group of any pseudo-Euclidean space by its Weyl subgroup always has natural symplectic and metric structures. Using this metric and symplectic form, we show that there exist canonically conjugate, orthogonal, metric submanifolds if and only if the original gauged space is Euclidean or signature 0. In the Euclidean cases, the resultant configuration space must be Lorentzian. Therefore, in this context, time may be viewed as a der…
We present a mathematical structure which unifies mathematical structures of general relativity and quantum mechanics. It consists of the noncommutative algebra of compactly supported, complex valued functions ${\mathcal A}$, with convolution as multiplication, on a groupoid $Γ$ the base of which is the total space $E$ of the frame bundle over space-time $M$. A differential geometry based on derivations of ${\mathcal A}$ suitably generalizes the standard differential geometry of space-time, and the algebra ${\mathcal A}$, when represented in a bundle of Hilbert spaces, defines a von Neumann al…
We obtain the Arnowitt-Deser-Misner formulation of general relativity in $n$ dimensions ($n \geq 3$) from its either $SO(n-1,1)$ [$SO(n)$] or $SO(n-1)$ Palatini Hamiltonian formulations and vice versa [we recall that $SO(n-1,1)$ [$SO(n)$] requires no gauge fixing whereas $SO(n-1)$ involves the time gauge]. Similarly, the Hamiltonian formulation of general relativity in terms of Ashtekar-Barbero variables can also be directly obtained from the Arnowitt-Deser-Misner Hamiltonian formulation and vice versa, which is an alternative approach to the way followed by Barbero. We give the relevant maps …
It is well known that the Lagrangian and the Hamiltonian formalisms can be combined and lead to "covariant symplectic" methods. For that purpose a "pre-symplectic form" has been constructed from the Lagrangian using the so-called Noether form. However, analogously to the standard Noether currents, this symplectic form is only determined up to total divergences which are however essential ingredients in gauge theories. We propose a new definition of the symplectic form which is covariant and free of ambiguities in a general first order formulation. Indeed, our construction depends on the equati…
Based on a unified quantum field theory of spinors assumed to describe all matter fields and their interactions we construct the space time structure of general relativity according to a general connection within the corresponding spinor space. The tetrad field and the corresponding metric field are composed from a space time dependent basis of spinors within the internal space of the fundamental matter field. Similar to twistor theory the Minkowski signature of the space time metric is related to this spinor nature of elementary matter, if we assume the spinor space to be endowed with a sympl…
A promising way to introduce general relativity in the classroom is to study the physical implications of certain given metrics, such as the Schwarzschild one. This involves lower mathematical expenditure than an approach focusing on differential geometry in its full glory and permits to emphasize physical aspects before attacking the field equations. Even so, in terms of motivation, lacking justification of the metric employed may pose an obstacle. The paper discusses how to establish the weak-field limit of the Schwarzschild metric with a minimum of relatively simple physical assumptions, av…
The symplectic quantization scheme proposed for matter scalar fields in the companion paper "Symplectic quantization I" is generalized here to the case of space-time quantum fluctuations. Symplectic quantization considers an explicit dependence of the metric tensor $g_{μν}$ on an additional time variable, named "proper time" at variance with the coordinate time of relativity. The physical meaning of proper time is to label the sequence of $g_{μν}$ quantum fluctuations at a given point of the four-dimensional space-time continuum. For this reason symplectic quantization necessarily incorporates…
Model of noncommutative gravity is constructed by means of Fedosov deformation quantization of endomorphism bundle. The fields describing noncommutativity -- symplectic form and symplectic connection -- are dynamical, and the resulting theory is completely coordinate covariant and background independent. Its interpretation in terms of Seiberg-Witten map is provided. Also, new action for ordinary (commutative) general relativity is given, which in the present context appears as a commutative limit of noncommutative theory.
This paper presents a "historical" formalism for dynamical systems, in its Hamiltonian version (Lagrangian version was presented in a previous paper). It is universal, in the sense that it applies equally well to time dynamics and to field theories on space-time. It is based on the notion of (Hamiltonian) histories, which are sections of the (extended) phase space bundle. It is developed in the space of sections, in contradistinction with the usual formalism which works in the bundle manifold. In field theories, the formalism remains covariant and does not require a spitting of space-time. It …
In general relativity, the notion of mass and other conserved quantities at spatial infinity can be defined in a natural way via the Hamiltonian framework: Each conserved quantity is associated with an asymptotic symmetry and the value of the conserved quantity is defined to be the value of the Hamiltonian which generates the canonical transformation on phase space corresponding to this symmetry. However, such an approach cannot be employed to define `conserved quantities' in a situation where symplectic current can be radiated away (such as occurs at null infinity in general relativity) becau…
Many Hamiltonian problems in the Solar System are separable or separate into two analytically solvable parts, and thus give a great chance to the development and application of explicit symplectic integrators based on operator splitting and composing. However, such constructions cannot in general be available for curved spacetimes in general relativity and modified theories of gravity, because these curved spacetimes correspond to nonseparable Hamiltonians without the two part splits. Recently, several black hole spacetimes such as the Schwarzschild black hole were found to allow the construct…
We propose an unified approach to loop quantum gravity and Fedosov quantization of gravity following the geometry of double spacetime fibrations and their quantum deformations. There are considered pseudo-Riemannian manifolds enabled with 1) a nonholonomic 2+2 distribution defining a nonlinear connection (N-connection) structure and 2) an Arnowitt-Deser-Misner 3+1 decomposition. The Ashtekar-Barbero variables are generalized and adapted to the N-connection structure which allows us to write the general relativity theory equivalently in terms of Lagrange-Finsler variables and related canonical …
Variables for constraint free null canonical vacuum general relativity are presented which have simple Poisson brackets that facilitate quantization. Free initial data for vacuum general relativity on a pair of intersecting null hypersurfaces has been known since the 1960s. These consist of the "main" data which are set on the bulk of the two null hypersurfaces, and additional "surface" data set only on their intersection 2-surface. More recently the complete set of Poisson brackets of such data has been obtained. However the complexity of these brackets is an obstacle to their quantization. P…
A possible way toward the quantization of a weak gravitational field inspired by the imaginary-time field theory is discussed. The analogies of the general relativity in the canonical formulation with the thermodynamic geometry and superfluids are also pointed out. The proposed regularization method in the imaginary-time formalism of field theory shows a good chance removing theoretical obstacles and constructing a perturbative theory of quantum gravity.
The general relativity theory is redefined equivalently in almost Kahler variables: symplectic form and canonical symplectic connection (distorted from the Levi-Civita connection by a tensor constructed only from metric coefficients and their derivatives). The fundamental geometric and physical objects are uniquely determined in metric compatible form by a (pseudo) Riemannian metric on a manifold enabled with a necessary type nonholonomic 2+2 distribution. Such nonholonomic symplectic variables allow us to formulate the problem of quantizing Einstein gravity in terms of the A-model complexific…
Hamiltonian mechanics of field theory can be formulated in a generally covariant and background independent manner over a finite dimensional extended configuration space. The physical symplectic structure of the theory can then be defined over a space G of three-dimensional surfaces without boundary, in the extended configuration space. These surfaces provide a preferred over-coordinatization of phase space. I consider the covariant form of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation on G, and a canonical function S on G which is a preferred solution of the Hamilton-Jacobi equation. The application of this f…
We use covariant phase space methods to study the metric and tetrad formulations of General Relativity in a manifold with boundary and compare the results obtained in both approaches. Proving their equivalence has been a long-lasting problem that we solve here by using the cohomological approach provided by the relative bicomplex framework. This setting provides a clean and ambiguity-free way to describe the solution spaces and associated symplectic structures. We also compute several relevant charges in both schemes and show that they are equivalent, as expected.
Should nature be supersymmetric, then it will be described by Quantum Supergravity at least in some energy regimes. The currently most advanced description of Quantum Supergravity and beyond is Superstring Theory/M-Theory in 10/11 dimensions. String Theory is a top-to-bottom approach to Quantum Supergravity in that it postulates a new object, the string, from which classical Supergravity emerges as a low energy limit. On the other hand, one may try more traditional bottom-to-top routes and apply the techniques of Quantum Field Theory. Loop Quantum Gravity (LQG) is a manifestly background indep…
A general-covariant statistical framework capable of describing classical fluctuations of the gravitational field is a thorny open problem in theoretical physics, yet ultimately necessary to understand the nature of the gravitational interaction and a key to quantum gravity. Inspired by Souriau's symplectic generalization of the Maxwell-Boltzmann-Gibbs equilibrium in Lie group thermodynamics, we investigate a spacetime-covariant formulation of statistical mechanics for parametrized first-order field theories, as a simplified model sharing essential general covariant features with canonical gen…
The goal of this work, motivated by the desire to understand causality in classical and quantum gravity, is an in depth investigation of causality in classical field theories with quasilinear equations of motion, of which General Relativity is a prominent example. Several modern geometric tools (jet bundle formulation of partial differential equations (PDEs), the theory of symmetric hyperbolic PDE systems, covariant constructions of symplectic and Poisson structures) and applies them to the construction of the phase space and the algebra of observables of quasilinear classical field theories. …
In Ashtekar's Hamiltonian formulation of general relativity, and in loop quantum gravity, Lorentz covariance is a subtle issue that has been strongly debated. Maintaining manifest Lorentz covariance seems to require introducing either complex-valued fields, presenting a significant obstacle to quantization, or additional (usually second class) constraints whose solution renders the resulting phase space variables harder to interpret in a spacetime picture. After reviewing the sources of difficulty, we present a Lorentz covariant, real formulation in which second class constraints never arise. …
