Abstract
The goal of this review is to present an introduction to loop quantum gravity - a background-independent, non-perturbative approach to the problem of unification of general relativity and quantum physics, based on a quantum theory of geometry. Our presentation is pedagogical. Thus, in addition to providing a bird's eye view of the present status of the subject, the review should also serve as a vehicle to enter the field and explore it in detail. To aid non-experts, very little is assumed beyond elements of general relativity, gauge theories and quantum field theory. While the review is essentially self-contained, the emphasis is on communicating the underlying ideas and the significance of results rather than on presenting systematic derivations and detailed proofs. (These can be found in the listed references.) The subject can be approached in different ways. We have chosen one which is deeply rooted in well-established physics and also has sufficient mathematical precision to ensure that there are no hidden infinities. In order to keep the review to a reasonable size, and to avoid overwhelming non-experts, we have had to leave out several interesting topics, results and viewpoints; this is meant to be an introduction to the subject rather than an exhaustive review of it.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | R53-R152 |
| Journal | Classical and Quantum Gravity |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 15 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 7 2004 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)
Cite this
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Background independent quantum gravity : A status report. / Ashtekar, Abhay; Lewandowski, Jerzy.
In: Classical and Quantum Gravity, Vol. 21, No. 15, 07.08.2004, p. R53-R152.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Background independent quantum gravity
T2 - A status report
AU - Ashtekar, Abhay
AU - Lewandowski, Jerzy
PY - 2004/8/7
Y1 - 2004/8/7
N2 - The goal of this review is to present an introduction to loop quantum gravity - a background-independent, non-perturbative approach to the problem of unification of general relativity and quantum physics, based on a quantum theory of geometry. Our presentation is pedagogical. Thus, in addition to providing a bird's eye view of the present status of the subject, the review should also serve as a vehicle to enter the field and explore it in detail. To aid non-experts, very little is assumed beyond elements of general relativity, gauge theories and quantum field theory. While the review is essentially self-contained, the emphasis is on communicating the underlying ideas and the significance of results rather than on presenting systematic derivations and detailed proofs. (These can be found in the listed references.) The subject can be approached in different ways. We have chosen one which is deeply rooted in well-established physics and also has sufficient mathematical precision to ensure that there are no hidden infinities. In order to keep the review to a reasonable size, and to avoid overwhelming non-experts, we have had to leave out several interesting topics, results and viewpoints; this is meant to be an introduction to the subject rather than an exhaustive review of it.
AB - The goal of this review is to present an introduction to loop quantum gravity - a background-independent, non-perturbative approach to the problem of unification of general relativity and quantum physics, based on a quantum theory of geometry. Our presentation is pedagogical. Thus, in addition to providing a bird's eye view of the present status of the subject, the review should also serve as a vehicle to enter the field and explore it in detail. To aid non-experts, very little is assumed beyond elements of general relativity, gauge theories and quantum field theory. While the review is essentially self-contained, the emphasis is on communicating the underlying ideas and the significance of results rather than on presenting systematic derivations and detailed proofs. (These can be found in the listed references.) The subject can be approached in different ways. We have chosen one which is deeply rooted in well-established physics and also has sufficient mathematical precision to ensure that there are no hidden infinities. In order to keep the review to a reasonable size, and to avoid overwhelming non-experts, we have had to leave out several interesting topics, results and viewpoints; this is meant to be an introduction to the subject rather than an exhaustive review of it.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=4043142118&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=4043142118&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1088/0264-9381/21/15/R01
DO - 10.1088/0264-9381/21/15/R01
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:4043142118
VL - 21
SP - R53-R152
JO - Classical and Quantum Gravity
JF - Classical and Quantum Gravity
SN - 0264-9381
IS - 15
ER -