Entropy of random coverings and 4D quantum gravity (Q1912265)

The authors discuss the counting of minimal geodesic ball coverings of \(n\)-dimensional \((n\geq 3)\) Riemannian manifolds of bounded geometry, fixed Euler characteristic, and Reidemeister torsion in a given representation of the fundamental group. This counting bears relevance to the analysis of the continuum limit of discrete models of quantum gravity. The conditions under which the number of coverings grows exponentially with the volume are established, thus allowing for the search of a continuum limit of the corresponding discretized models. The resulting entropy estimates depend on representations of the fundamental group of the manifold through the corresponding Reidemeister torsion. The summing over inequivalent representations both in the two-dimensional and in the four-dimensional case is considered. An explicit entropy estimate for geodesic ball coverings as well as significant bounds on the corresponding critical exponents are obtained in both cases. This estimate is sufficient for controlling the number of topologically (in the simple-homotopical sense) equivalent dynamical triangulations on four-manifolds of bounded geometry, and it is a good starting point for a further understanding of discrete models of four-dimensional quantum gravity.