Stochastic gravity (Q5917698)

We investigate stochastic gravity as a potentially fruitful avenue for studying quantum effects in gravity. Following the approach of stochastic electrodynamics (SED), as a representation of the quantum gravity vacuum we construct a classical state of isotropic random gravitational radiation, expressed as a spin-2 field, \(h_{\mu \nu} (x)\), composed of plane waves of random phase on a flat spacetime manifold. Requiring Lorentz invariance leads to the result that the spectral composition function of the gravitational radiation, \(h(\omega)\), must be proportional to \(1/\omega^2\). The proportionality constant is determined by the Planck condition that the energy density consists of \(\hbar \omega /2\) per normal mode, and this condition sets the amplitude scale of the random gravitational radiation at the order of the Planck length, giving a spectral composition function \(h(\omega) = \sqrt {16\pi} c^2 L_P/\omega^2\). As an application of stochastic gravity, we investigate the Davies-Unruh effect.