Quantum Gravity

From Book News, Inc.
Kiefer (theoretical physics, U. of Cologne) describes the general features that a quantum theory of gravity is expected to show and gives an up-to-date overview of main approaches, including the quantization of Einstein's theory of general relativity and string theory. His general topics include a general description of quantum gravity, covariant approaches to quantum gravity, parametrized and relational systems, Hamiltonian formulation of general relativity, quantum geometrodynamics, quantum gravity with connections and loops, quantization of black holes, quantum cosmology, string theory, and quantum gravity and the interpretation of quantum theory.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Book Description
The search for a quantum theory of the gravitational field is one of the great open problems in theoretical physics. This book presents a self-contained discussion of the concepts, methods and applications that can be expected in such a theory. The two main approaches to its construction - the direct quantization of Einstein's general theory of relativity and string theory - are covered. Whereas the first attempts to construct a viable theory for the gravitational field alone, string theory assumes that a quantum theory of gravity will be achieved only through a unification of all the interactions. However, both employ the general method of quantization of constrained systems, which is described together with illustrative examples relevant for quantum gravity. There is a detailed presentation of the main approaches employed in quantum general relativity: path integral quantization, the background-field method and canonical quantum gravity in the metric, connection and loop formulations. The discussion of string theory centers around its quantum-gravitational aspects and the comparison with quantum general relativity. Physical applications discussed at length include the quantization of black holes, quantum cosmology, the indications of a discrete structure of spacetime, and the origin of irreversibility. This book will be of interest to researchers and students working in relativity and gravitation, cosmology, quantum field theory and related topics. It will also be of interest to mathematicians and philosophers of science.


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Kiefer (theoretical physics, U. of Cologne) describes the general features that a quantum theory of gravity is expected to show and gives an up-to-date overview of main approaches, including the quantization of Einstein's theory of general relativity and string theory. His general topics include a general description of quantum gravity, covariant approaches to quantum gravity, parametrized and relational systems, Hamiltonian formulation of general relativity, quantum geometrodynamics, quantum gravity with connections and loops, quantization of black holes, quantum cosmology, string theory, and quantum gravity and the interpretation of quantum theory. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


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