Stochastic quantization of geometrodynamic curved space-time
Description
It is proposed that quantum rather than classical test particles be used in recent operational definitions of space-time. In the resulting quantum space-time the role of test particle trajectories is taken over by propagators. The introduced co-ordinate values are stochastic rather than deterministic, the afore-mentioned propagators providing probability amplitudes describing fluctuations of measured co-ordinates around their mean values. It is shown that, if a geometrodynamic point of view based on 3 + 1 foliations of space-time is adopted, self-consistent families of propagators for quantum test particles in free fall can be constructed. The resulting formalism for quantum space-time is outlined and the quantization of spatially flat Robertson-Walker space-times is provided as an illustration. (author)
Additional details
Publishing Information
- Journal Title
- Nuovo Cim., B
- Journal Volume
- 62
- Journal Issue
- 1
- Series
- Nuovo Cim., B.
- Journal Page Range
- 17-30
- ISSN
- 0369-3554
INIS
- Country of Publication
- Italy
- Country of Input or Organization
- Italy
- INIS RN
- 14762593
- Subject category
- S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
- Descriptors DEI
- GRAVITATION; PROBABILITY; PROPAGATOR; QUANTUM FIELD THEORY; SPACE-TIME; STOCHASTIC PROCESSES
- Descriptors DEC
- FIELD THEORIES
Optional Information
- Notes
- 50 refs.