Boundary terms in the Barrett–Crane spin foam model and consistent gluing

2002/01/31 by Daniele Oriti · 4 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Black Holes and Theoretical Physics #Boundary (topology) #Boundary value problem #Consistency (knowledge bases) #Context (archaeology) #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Gauge (firearms) #Geology #Geometry #Lattice (music) #Loop quantum gravity #Materials science #Mathematical analysis #Mathematics #Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories #Physics #Quantum #Quantum gravity #Quantum mechanics #Spin (aerodynamics) #Spin foam #Theoretical physics #Thermodynamics #gr-qc #hep-th

paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/s0370-2693(02)01559-9

published as Phys.Lett. B532 (2002) 363-372 · 10 pages, 2 figures, revtex; v2: typos in some formulas corrected, version appeared in journal

openalex publication_date 2002/04/01 · arxiv created 2002/05/31 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

We extend the lattice gauge theory-type derivation of the Barrett–Crane spin foam model for quantum gravity to other choices of boundary conditions, resulting in different boundary terms, and re-analyze the gluing of 4-simplices in this context. This provides a consistency check of the previous derivation. Moreover we study and discuss some possible alternatives and variations that can be made to it and the resulting models.

Citations

• A finiteness proof for the Lorentzian state sum spinfoam model for quantum general relativity
• A lattice worldsheet sum for 4-d Euclidean general relativity
• A Lorentzian signature model for quantum general relativity

Cited by

• Conformal boundary conditions, loop gravity and the continuum
• Nonperturbative summation over 3D discrete topologies
• Emergent Friedmann dynamics with a quantum bounce from quantum gravity condensates
• Spin foam models for quantum gravity