A Fundamental Problem in Quantizing General Relativity
Abstract
We point out a fundamental problem that hinders the quantization of general relativity: quantum mechanics is formulated in terms of systems, typically limited in space but infinitely extended in time, while general relativity is formulated in terms of events, limited both in space and in time. Many of the problems faced while connecting the two theories stem from the difficulty in shoe-horning one formulation into the other. A solution is not presented, but a list of desiderata for a quantum theory based on events is laid out.
- Publication:
-
Foundations of Physics
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- DOI:
- 10.1007/s10701-019-00311-w
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1807.01307
- Bibcode:
- 2019FoPh...49.1394M
- Keywords:
-
- Foundations of quantum mechanics;
- Quantum information;
- Quantum mechanics;
- General relativity;
- Quantum gravity;
- Quantum Physics
- E-Print:
- 3.4 pages, one figure