Search Talks

Recent progress in the quantization of nonrenormalizable scalar fields has found that a suitable non-classical modification of the ground state wave function leads to a result that eliminates term-by-term divergences that arise in a conventional perturbation analysis. After a brief review of both the scalar field story and the affine quantum gravity program, examination of the procedures used in the latter surprisingly shows an analogous formulation which already implies that affine quantum gravity is not plagued by divergences that arise in a standard perturbation study. Additionally, guided by the projection operator method to deal with quantum constraints, trial reproducing kernels are introduced that satisfy the diffeomorphism constraints. Furthermore, it is argued that the trial reproducing kernels for the diffeomorphism constraints also satisfy the Hamiltonian constraint as well. 
This talk is based on arXiv:1203.0691 .

When two independent analog signals, $X$ and $Y$ are added together giving $Z=X+Y$, the entropy of $Z$, $H(Z)$, is not a simple function of the entropies $H(X)$ and $H(Y)$, but rather depends on the details of $X$ and $Y$'s distributions.  Nevertheless, the entropy power inequality (EPI), which states that $e^{2H(Z)} \geq e^{2H(X)} + e^{2H(Y)}$, gives a very tight restriction on the entropy of $Z$. This inequality has found many applications in information theory and statistics.  The quantum analogue of adding two random variables is the combination of two independent bosonic modes at a beam splitter. The purpose of this talk is to give an outline of the proof of two separate generalizations of the entropy power inequality to the quantum regime.  These inequalities provide strong new upper bounds for the classical capacity of quantum additive noise channels, including quantum analogues of the additive white Gaussian noise channels.   Our proofs are similar in spirit to standard classical proofs of the EPI, but some new quantities and ideas are needed in the quantum setting. Specifically, we find a new quantum de Bruijin identity relating entropy production under diffusion to a divergence-based quantum Fisher information. Furthermore, this Fisher information exhibits certain convexity properties in the context of beam splitters.   This is joint work with Graeme Smith.

In this talk I provide a model where the late time acceleration of the universe emerges from a BCS-like condensation of sterile neutrinos. This scenario can be naturally accommodated by general relativity covariantly coupled to sterile neutrinos, where the neutrinos act like an "aether" field.  We show that when active neutrinos couple to the neutrino condensate, they oscillate at a rate proportional to the dark energy density.  As a result, the oscillation of neutrinos and dark energy are tied in with the same mechanism.  I also show that neutrinos could oscillate even if dark energy is not a neutrino condensate.  I end with a discussion of stability of this model and predictions of CPT violating oscillations of such models.

We propose a new method of unifying gravity and the Yang-Mills fields by introducing a spin-foam model. We realize a unification between an SU(2) Yang-Mills interaction and 3D general relativity by considering a constrained Spin(4) ~SO(4) Plebanski action. The theory is quantized a la spin-foam by implementing the analogue of the simplicial constraints for the Spin(4) symmetry, providing a way to couple Yang-Mills fields to spin-foams. We also present a way to recover 2-point correlation functions between the connections as a first way to implement scattering amplitudes  between particle states. We conclude with speculations about extension of the model to 4D and  incorporate a newly developed model of Dark Energy.

The pseudo-conformal scenario is an alternative to inflation in which the early universe is approximately described by a conformal field theory in Minkowski space. Crucially, the cosmological background spontaneously breaks the flat space so(4,2) conformal algebra down to its so(4,1) de Sitter subalgebra, causing conformal-weight-0 fields to acquire a scale invariant spectrum of perturbations. This framework is very general, and its essential features are determined by the symmetry breaking pattern, irrespective of the details of the underlying microphysics. After reviewing the salient features of the model, I will describe a DBI realization of the pseudo-conformal scenario, in which scale-invariance is further protected by an additional shift symmetry acting on the weight-0 field.  

We comment on a certain partially reduced phase space quantisation of general relativity conformally coupled to a scalar field, and its extension to standard model matter fields. The partially reduced phase space is reached by trading the Hamiltonian constraint for the generator of local conformal transformations on all phase space variables, inspired by the ideas of shape dynamics, and constructing conformally invariant connection variables. Furthermore, we review this trading of symmetries from the gauge fixing/unfixing perspective, which is dual to the concept of a linking theory. Finally we point out possible applications and open problems.

I will describe an approach to the problem of time that uses dust as a time variable. The canonical theory is such that there is a true Hamiltonian with spatial diffeomorphisms as the only gauge symmetry. This feature, and the form of the Hamiltonian, suggest a model for non-perturbative quantum gravity that is computationally accessible using the formalism of loop quantum gravity.  

We present a new model of inflation which does not rely on fundamental scalar fields.  The theory is a conformally invariant gauge field theory minimally coupled to massless fermions.  At the beginning of inflation, the conformal symmetry is dynamically broken by a BCS condensation of the fermions, leading to a spontaneously violation of conformal symmetry.  A quasi de-Sitter inflationary regime is driven by the interaction between a homogenous plasma dynamo between the gauge, gravitational and condensate field.  Unique observational consequences of this model are twofold : (1) The sourcing of B-mode vorticity fluctuations in upcoming CMB powerspectra. (2) A possible inflationary Baryogenesis mechanism connected to the initial conditions of inflation.

Large quantum fluctuations in certain quantum spin systems destroy long range magnetic order such as antiferromagnetism. Resulting paramagnetic states are called a quantum spin liquids. These states support emergent gauge fields [1]. Under certain conditions, emergent gauge fields condense in the ground state, leading to a chiral spin liquid state [2]. A condensed `magnetic field' for example, correspond to presence of spontaneous circulating spin current or spin `chirality'[3]. In the light of recent search for spin liquids in frustrated quantum antiferromagnets, we revive our earlier approach and show that a variety of chiral spin liquid states are possible in 2D lattices.   [1] G. Baskaran and P.W. Anderson, Phys. Rev., B 37, 580 (1988) [2] V. Kalmeyer and R. B. Laughlin, Phys. Rev. Lett., 59, 2095 (1987) [3] X.-G. Wen, F. Wilczek and A. Zee, Phys. Rev., B 39, 11413 (1989) [4] G Baskaran, Phys. Rev. Lett., 63, 2524 (1989)

I show how the local Lorentz and/or diffeomorphism invariances may be broken by a varying c, softly or harshly, depending on taste. Regardless of the fundamental implications of such dramas, these  symmetry breakings may be of great practical use in cosmology. They may solve the horizon and flatness problems. A near scale-invariant spectrum of fluctuation may arise, even without inflation. Distinct imprints may be left, teaching us an important lesson: our foundations may be flimsier than we like to think.