The random discrete action for two-dimensional spacetime

DOI10.1088/0264-9381/28/10/105018zbMATH Open1217.83037arXiv1011.5191OpenAlexW3101025160MaRDI QIDQ3007460FDOQ3007460

Fay Dowker, Dionigi M. T. Benincasa, Bernhard Schmitzer

Publication date: 22 June 2011

Published in: Classical and Quantum Gravity (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: A one-parameter family of random variables, called the Discrete Action, is defined for a 2-dimensional Lorentzian spacetime of finite volume. The single parameter is a discreteness scale. The expectation value of this Discrete Action is calculated for various regions of 2D Minkowski spacetime. When a causally convex region of 2D Minkowski spacetime is divided into subregions using null lines the mean of the Discrete Action is equal to the alternating sum of the numbers of vertices, edges and faces of the null tiling, up to corrections that tend to zero as the discreteness scale is taken to zero. This result is used to predict that the mean of the Discrete Action of the flat Lorentzian cylinder is zero up to corrections, which is verified. The ``topological character of the Discrete Action breaks down for causally convex regions of the flat trousers spacetime that contain the singularity and for non-causally convex rectangles.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1011.5191

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Applications of statistics to physics (62P35) Special relativity (83A05) Quantization of the gravitational field (83C45) Space-time singularities, cosmic censorship, etc. (83C75) Lattice gravity, Regge calculus and other discrete methods in general relativity and gravitational theory (83C27) Analogues of general relativity in lower dimensions (83C80)

Cited In (11)

• The causal set approach to quantum gravity
• Manifold properties from causal sets using chains
• Spatial determinism for a free \(\mathbb Z^2\)-action
• Spectral dimension on spatial hypersurfaces in causal set quantum gravity
• Inference of boundaries in causal sets
• Finite size scaling in 2d causal set quantum gravity
• Towards coarse graining of discrete Lorentzian quantum gravity
• Causal set generator and action computer
• Scalar field Green functions on causal sets
• Echoes of asymptotic silence in causal set quantum gravity
• Boundary contributions in the causal set action

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