Locality in quantum gravity and string theory

2006/04/30 by Steven B. Giddings · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #Black Holes and Theoretical Physics #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories #gr-qc #hep-th

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevd.74.106006

published as Phys.Rev.D74:106006,2006 · 26 pages, 3 figures, harvmac. v2: minor changes to bring into accord with revised paper hep-th/0605196

arxiv created 2006/05/19 · openalex publication_date 2006/11/17 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Breakdown of local physics in string theory at distances longer than the string scale is investigated. Such nonlocality would be expected to be visible in ultrahigh-energy scattering. The results of various approaches to such scattering are collected and examined. No evidence is found for nonlocality from strings whose length grows linearly with the energy. However, local quantum field theory does apparently fail at scales determined by gravitational physics, particularly strong gravitational dynamics. This amplifies locality bound arguments that such failure of locality is a fundamental aspect of physics. This kind of nonlocality could be a central element of a possible loophole in the argument for information loss in black holes.

Citations

• String Theory and Black Hole Complementarity
• Quantum Mechanics of Black Holes
• The black hole information paradox
• A Model for High Energy Scattering in Quantum Gravity
• Self-gravitating fundamental strings
• The holographic principle
• The Stretched Horizon and Black Hole Complementarity
• Microscopic Origin of the Bekenstein-Hawking Entropy
• The World as a Hologram
• Dimensional Reduction in Quantum Gravity
• The Large N Limit of Superconformal Field Theories and Supergravity
• The information paradox and the locality bound
• Black Holes and Massive Remnants

Cited by

• Universal quantum mechanics