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A Chern-Simons approach to Galilean quantum gravity in 2+1 dimensions

G. Papageorgiou and B.J. Schroers

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We define and discuss classical and quantum gravity in 2+1 dimensions in the Galilean limit. Although there are no Newtonian forces between massive objects in (2+1)-dimensional gravity, the Galilean limit is not trivial. Depending on the topology of spacetime there are typically finitely many topological degrees of freedom as well as topological interactions of Aharonov-Bohm type between massive objects. In order to capture these topological aspects we consider a two-fold central extension of the Galilei group whose Lie algebra possesses an invariant and non-degenerate inner product. Using this inner product we define Galilean gravity as a Chern-Simons theory of the doubly-extended Galilei group. The particular extension of the Galilei group we consider is a classical double of a much studied group, the extended homogeneous Galilei group, which is also often called Nappi-Witten group. We exhibit the Poisson-Lie structure of the doubly extended Galilei group, and quantise the Chern-Simons theory using a Hamiltonian approach. Many aspects of the quantum theory are determined by the quantum double of the extended homogenous Galilei group, or Galilei double for short. We study the representation theory of the Galilei double, explain how associated braid group representations account for the topological interactions in the theory, and briefly comment on an associated non-commutative Galilean spacetime.

Keywords

Space-Time Symmetries

Models of Quantum Gravity

Chern-Simons Theories

Non-Commutative Geometry

 

E-print Number: 0907.2880

Cited: by |

Refers: to

PACS

04.60.-m Quantum gravity

04.20.Gz Spacetime topology, causal structure, spinor structure

02.10.Ud Linear algebra

02.20.Sv Lie algebras of Lie groups

11.15.-q Gauge field theories

Subjects

Mathematical physics

Gravitation and cosmology

Particle physics and field theory

Dates

Issue 11 (November 2009)

Received 24 July 2009, accepted for publication 15 October 2009

Published 4 November 2009



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