BASIC RESEARCH ON GRAVITATION.
Abstract
This report describes recent contributions which have been made to both the canonical and covariant quantum theories of gravity. New results in the canonical theory include an analysis of the structure of the 'space of all 3-geometries,' a definition for the inner product of two state functionals, the quantum theory of the Friedmann universe, an analysis of the fundamental differences between finite and infinite worlds, and an assessment of the meaning of a 'wave function for the universe.' New results in the covariant theory include use of a variable background metric, proof of Feynman's tree theorem, decomposition of radiative corrections into 'Feynman baskets,' use of fictitious quanta to secure a unitary and manifestly covariant S-matrix, an algorithm for dealing with the fictitious quanta in aribitrarily high order, various scattering cross sections, an analysis of the Ward identify and the graviton vertex function, a coordinate-space calculation of vacuum polarization, and a proof of the validity of Weinberg's treatment of the infrared problem. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0668539
Entities
People
- Bryce S. Dewitt
- Hendrick Van Dam
Organizations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill