Restoration of four-dimensional diffeomorphism covariance in canonical general relativity: an intrinsic Hamilton-Jacobi approach

DOI10.1142/S0217751X16500147zbMATH Open1381.81087arXiv1508.01277OpenAlexW3098250199WikidataQ113079198 ScholiaQ113079198MaRDI QIDQ2806241FDOQ2806241

Authors: Jürgen Renn, Kurt Sundermeyer, Donald C. Salisbury 

Publication date: 17 May 2016

Published in: International Journal of Modern Physics A (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Classical background independence is reflected in Lagrangian general relativity through covariance under the full diffeomorphism group. We show how this independence can be maintained in a Hamilton-Jacobi approach that does not accord special privilege to any geometric structure. Intrinsic spacetime curvature based coordinates grant equal status to all geometric backgrounds. They play an essential role as a starting point for inequivalent semi-classical quantizations. The scheme calls into question Wheeler's geometrodynamical approach and the associated Wheeler-DeWitt equation in which three-metrics are featured geometrical objects. The formalism deals with variables that are manifestly invariant under the full diffeomorphism group. Yet, perhaps paradoxically, the liberty in selecting intrinsic coordinates is precisely as broad as is the original diffeomorphism freedom. We show how various ideas from the past five decades concerning the true degrees of freedom of general relativity can be interpreted in light of this new constrained Hamiltonian description. In particular, we show how the Kuchav{r} multi-fingered time approach can be understood as a means of introducing full four-dimensional diffeomorphism invariants. Every choice of new phase space variables yields new Einstein-Hamilton-Jacobi constraining relations, and corresponding intrinsic Schr"odinger equations. We show how to implement this freedom by canonical transformation of the intrinsic Hamiltonian. We also reinterpret and rectify significant work by B. Dittrich on the construction of `Dirac observables'.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1508.01277

Recommendations

• General relativity without paradigm of space-time covariance, and resolution of the problem of time
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 1205896
• Convariance of the algebra of constraints of 4-D general relativity
• scientific article; zbMATH DE number 2222794
• On canonical transformations between equivalent Hamiltonian formulations of general relativity

zbMATH Keywords

intrinsic coordinatesreduced HamiltonianBergmann-Komar groupHamilton-Jacobi methods

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Quantum field theory on curved space or space-time backgrounds (81T20)

Cited In (4)

• Cartan rediscovered in general relativity
• GRAVITATIONAL OBSERVABLES, INTRINSIC COORDINATES, AND CANONICAL MAPS
• Title not available (Why is that?)
• Weiss variation for general boundaries

This page was built for publication: Restoration of four-dimensional diffeomorphism covariance in canonical general relativity: an intrinsic Hamilton-Jacobi approach

Report a bug (only for logged in users!)Click here to report a bug for this page (MaRDI item Q2806241)