Vacuum Topology and Incoherence in Quantum Gravity

Andrew Strominger
Phys. Rev. Lett. 52, 1733 – Published 14 May 1984
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Abstract

An explicit expression is derived for the quantum gravitational vacuum state by use of the saddle-point approximation and a conformally invariant action. It consists of a superposition of zero-energy classical vacua that differ in the topology both of the local Lorentz frames (leading to CP nonconservation) and of space itself. Space is found to have Planck-size wormholes and spinorial knots, and is surrounded by a vapor of disconnected submanifolds. The scattering matrix constructed on this vacuum is not unitary but the superscattering matrix conserves probability.

  • Received 9 December 1983

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.52.1733

©1984 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Andrew Strominger

  • The Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey 08540

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Issue

Vol. 52, Iss. 20 — 14 May 1984

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