Covariant quantization of the gravitational field
In any quantum theory in which the metric tensor of Einstein's gravitational theory is also quantized, it becomes meaningless to ask for an initial space-like surface on which to specify the conventional field commutators. The covariant quantum formalism, in which all fields either commute or fail to do so only when the fields' points coincide, is proposed as being suitable to quantize gravity. The extension of the covariant quantum formalism to general boson fields that interact in an intrinsically nonlinear way with external fields is analyzed. This formalism is applied to the case of the free gravitational field. In a functional repregentation, the measure on metrics is found. A basic state of the quantized gravitational theory is proposed, which involves a summation over all permissible metrics in the entire space-time manifold.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Bern; and Bell Telephone Labs., Murray Hill, N.J.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-16-028341
- OSTI ID:
- 4798273
- Journal Information:
- Nuovo Cimento, Journal Name: Nuovo Cimento Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 25; ISSN 0029-6341
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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