Cited by 404Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity TheoriesRelativity and Gravitational TheoryBlack Holes and Theoretical Physics

Relativistic spin networks and quantum gravity

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Barrett, John W., Crane, Louis·1998·Journal of Mathematical Physics

Abstract

Relativistic spin networks are defined by considering the spin covering of the group SO(4), SU(2)×SU(2). Relativistic quantum spins are related to the geometry of the two-dimensional faces of a 4-simplex. This extends the idea of Ponzano and Regge that SU(2) spins are related to the geometry of the edges of a 3-simplex. This leads us to suggest that there may be a four-dimensional state sum model for quantum gravity based on relativistic spin networks that parallels the construction of three-dimensional quantum gravity from ordinary spin networks.

Verified 2026-10-06 · 9 references not checked yet

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

The paper defines relativistic spin networks using the spin covering SU(2) × SU(2) of SO(4), relating quantum spins to bivectors on the 2-faces of a 4-simplex. It proposes a 4-dimensional state sum model for quantum gravity as a constrained doubling of the Crane-Yetter topological state sum.

Key findings

  • A geometric 4-simplex is characterized by 10 bivectors on its triangles satisfying six conditions; the theorem states that any set satisfying these conditions determines a geometric 4-simplex unique up to parallel translation and inversion through the origin. Condition (6) is supported by the calculation \(\mathrm{Tr}\, b_1[b_2,b_3] = \frac{9}{8} V^2\), where \(V\) is the volume of the tetrahedron.
  • Relativistic spin networks label faces with irreducible representations of SU(2) × SU(2); the classical simplicity condition for bivectors is transcribed quantum-mechanically by requiring \(j=k\), called simple representations.
  • The proposed state sum is a “constrained” doubling of the Crane-Yetter model; for each 4-simplex, weights are linear combinations of products of two 15j-q symbols with identical representations but opposite orientation.
  • A canonical vertex is exhibited as the usual SU(2) vertex doubled, with the middle edge labelled by \((j,j)\), showing the vertex space is non-empty in many cases.

Methods

  • Classical Euclidean 4-dimensional geometry: an abstract 4-simplex \((01234)\) is embedded in \(\mathbb{R}^4\), and oriented triangles determine bivectors \(b = \frac{1}{2} e_{01} \wedge e_{02} \in \mathbb{R}^4 \wedge \mathbb{R}^4\); the paper proves that six listed properties characterize the embedding.
  • Quantum construction: bivectors are replaced by bivector operators in representations of SU(2) × SU(2), with simplicity imposed by \(j=k\); a state sum on a triangulated 4-manifold is defined by summing weights over labellings of 2-simplexes and tetrahedra.
  • The analysis is mathematical and axiomatic; no empirical data or numerical simulations are used.

Limitations

  • The paper states it has an axiomatic description of the space of vertices but not an explicit construction; if the only allowable vertex is the one explicitly constructed, the state sum does not seem to give a topological invariant of manifolds, so its relationship to topology is unclear.
  • The authors state they have not analysed the quantum analogues of inequalities (5) and (6), do not yet have an analogue of the Ponzano-Regge asymptotic formula linking the model to the Einstein action, and lack a complete argument that it contains local degrees of freedom or propagating plane waves.
  • The paper states that the key remaining issue is how probability amplitudes behave under refinement of the triangulation, analogous to ultraviolet problems; possible routes to a finite theory are suggested but not established.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1063/1.532254

Cites

16 of 25 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 9 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingcitation
    § II. Bivector geometry of a 4-simplex · p. 5

    Condition (6) follows from Tr b1[b2,b3] = 9/8 V^2, where V is the volume of the tetrahedron.

    “Condition (6) follows from the calculation Tr b 1 [ b 2 , b 3 ] = 9 8 V 2 , where V is the volume of the tetrahedron [23].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] A. Barbieri , “Quantum tetrahedra and simplicial spin networks,” gr-qc/9707010.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Findingnone given
    § III. Relativistic spin networks · p. 8

    The simple representations of SU(2) × SU(2) occur as the summands of the Hilbert space of functions on S^3, which has the obvious action of SO(4).

    “The simple representations of SU(2) × SU(2) occur as the summands of the Hilbert space of functions on S 3 , which has the obvious action of SO(4).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingnone given
    § III. Relativistic spin networks · p. 8

    The sum of the bivector operators for a pair is equal to the bivector operator for the middle edge in the vertex.

    “The sum of the bivector operators for a pair is equal to the bivector operator for the middle edge in the vertex.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingreasoning
    § III. Relativistic spin networks · p. 8

    The vertex is given by the same formula if the top two and bottom two pairs are chosen.

    “The orthogonality relation of the 6j-symbol shows that the vertex is given by the same formula if the top two and bottom two pairs are chosen.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingreasoning
    § III. Relativistic spin networks · p. 7

    The space of vertices is non-empty in many cases, by exhibiting a canonical element.

    “However we can show that the space is non-empty in many cases, by exhibiting a canonical element.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 11
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 3
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § II. Bivector geometry of a 4-simplex · p. 4

    Each geometric 4-simplex determines a set of bivectors satisfying conditions (1)-(6), and each set of bivectors satisfying these conditions determines a geometric 4-simplex unique up to parallel translation and inversion through the origin.

    “Theorem. Each geometric 4-simplex determines a set of bivectors satisfying these conditions, and each set of bivectors satisfying these conditions determines a geometric 4-simplex unique up to parallel translation and inversion through the origin.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § III. Relativistic spin networks · p. 8

    Each term in the sum satisfies (2) and (4), and satisfies (3) for the two preferred pairs.

    “Each term in the sum obviously satisfies (2) and (4), and satisfies (3) for the two preferred pairs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § II. Bivector geometry of a 4-simplex · p. 6

    A geometric simplex has a metric geometry determined by the lengths of its 10 edges; two geometric 4-simplexes have the same edge lengths if and only if they are related by an isometry of R^4.

    “A geometric simplex has a metric geometry, which is determined by the lengths of its 10 edges. Thus two geometric 4-simplexes have the same edge lengths if and only if they are related by an isometry of R 4 .”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning
    § III. Relativistic spin networks · p. 8

    The momentum in the classical case is l_{μν} x^μ p_ν, for a point (x,p) ∈ T*S^3; this is the dual pairing of so(4) with the simple bivector x ∧ p in R^4, which explains how simple bivectors are associated to triangles.

    “The corresponding momentum in the classical case is l µν x µ p ν , for a point ( x, p ) ∈ T ∗ S 3 . This is the dual pairing of so(4) with the simple bivector x ∧ p in R 4 , which explains how simple bivectors are associated to triangles.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning
    § II. Bivector geometry of a 4-simplex · p. 6

    The bivector data determines a set of edge lengths; two sets of bivector data determine the same edge lengths if and only if the bivectors are all transformed simultaneously by an orthogonal rotation.

    “Therefore the bivector data determines a set of edge lengths. Two sets of bivector data determine the same edge lengths if and only if the bivectors are all transformed simultaneously by an orthogonal rotation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § I. Introduction · p. 2

    To pass from 3 dimensions to 4 dimensions one has to replace SO(3) with SO(4), or its spin covering, SU(2) × SU(2).

    “The idea is that to pass from 3 dimensions to 4 dimensions one has to replace SO(3) with SO(4), or its spin covering, SU(2) × SU(2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § III. Relativistic spin networks · p. 8

    Intrinsic spin occurs for non-simple representations, which would arise from sections of spinor bundles over S^3.

    “In our picture, intrinsic spin occurs for non-simple representations, which would arise from sections of spinor bundles over S 3 .”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § III. Relativistic spin networks · p. 7

    In the relativistic case, the theory is for four-dimensional manifolds and the relativistic spin network vertices reside in a tetrahedron; there will be one bivector operator for each face of a tetrahedron, and so this will be a four-valent vertex.

    “Now in the relativistic case, the theory is for four-dimensional manifolds and the relativistic spin network vertices reside in a tetrahedron. There will be one bivector operator for each face of a tetrahedron, and so this will be a four-valent vertex.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation
    § V. Conclusions · p. 10

    The tensor categories in the proposed state sum are similar to those invented in constructing string theories; terms in the state sum can be interpreted as diagrams in string perturbation theory.

    “It is interesting that the sort of tensor categories which go into the state sum we are proposing are so similar to the ones invented in constructing string theories [29]. Terms in our state sum can be interpreted as diagrams in string perturbation theory, by connecting together the diagrams we are associating to the 4-simplexes, and interpreting elements in the representations as string states.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [29] 1989, Classical and quantum conformal field theory, Commun. Math. Phys. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given
    § I. Introduction · p. 2

    In Einstein gravity, so(4)* is identified with R^4 ∧ R^4, as B is constrained to be of the form B = * e ∧ e, where e is a vector valued one-form.

    “However, in Einstein gravity it is important that so(4) ∗ is identified with R 4 ∧ R 4 , as B is constrained to be of the form B = ∗ e ∧ e , where e is a vector valued one-form.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation
    § I. Introduction · p. 2

    In three dimensions, quantum gravity is constructed by the Ponzano-Regge state sum model in which representations of SU(2) label edges.

    “In three dimensions, quantum gravity is constructed by the Ponzano-Regge state sum model in which representations of SU(2) label edges [12].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § II. Bivector geometry of a 4-simplex · p. 6

    Giving the areas of the four faces of a tetrahedron does not specify the geometry of the tetrahedron uniquely, so that two 4-simplexes cannot be glued together by specifying the areas of the 16 triangles in their union.

    “However giving the areas of the four faces of a tetrahedron does not specify the geometry of the tetrahedron uniquely, so that two 4-simplexes cannot be glued together by specifying the areas of the 16 triangles in their union [25].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] J. W. Barrett , M. Rocek, and R. M. Williams, “A note on area variables in Regge calculus,” gr-qc/9710056.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § II. Bivector geometry of a 4-simplex · p. 6

    Specifying the 10 areas does not specify the metric geometry uniquely, although it does for almost all configurations.

    “By contrast, specifying the 10 areas does not specify the metric geometry uniquely [24], although it does for almost all configurations.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] 1994, First order Regge calculus, Class. Quantum Grav. source

      Not checked in the free run.

13 of 13
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The frame field gives a linear embedding of the triangle in R^4.

    “Assuming the frame field gives a linear embedding of the triangle in R 4 , the integral over this triangle,”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    In the classical limit, when the representation is large, vector operators behave as ordinary vectors in 3-dimensional space with probability near to 1.

    “The intuition is that in the classical limit, when the representation is 'large', these behave as ordinary vectors in 3-dimensional space, with probability near to 1.”
2 of 2

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • In Case B, faces are colored by simple representations N_f of SO(4); each edge is colored by a single fixed normalized Barrett-Crane intertwiner i_BC; the face amplitude is A_f(N_f)=dim N_f=(N+1)^2; and the vertex amplitude is the 15j Wigner symbol constructed from ten simple representations and five Barrett-Crane intertwiners.

    “Case B. In this case, as in case A, faces are colored by simple representation N f of SO (4). Each edge, however, is colored by a single, fixed, intertwiner i BC , the ( normalized ) Barrett-Crane intertwiner [1].”
  • The Barrett-Crane model has been obtained by 'quantizing a geometric 4-simplex'.

    “The Barrett-Crane model has been obtained by 'quantizing a geometric 4-simplex' [1].”
  • In the quantum theory, the condition on bivectors that they describe planes in R^4 translates into the simplicity condition (A1) on the representation.

    “Simple representations emerge in this process: in the quantum theory, the condition on bivectors that they describe planes in R 4 translates into the the simplicity condition (A1) on the representation.”
  • The Barrett-Crane model is a simple model obtained as a systematic quantization of the simplicial SO(4) Plebanski action.

    “However, there is a simple model that can be obtained as a systematic quantization of the simplicial SO(4) Plebanski’s action.”

    From The Spin-Foam Approach to Quantum Gravity (2013) · cites this paper as [59]

  • The second possibility, working in the sector where the constraint condition holds, corresponds to the Barrett-Crane model.

    “The second possibility is to work in the sector where . We will show later that this corresponds to the famous Barret-Crane model [59] with the various limitations discussed in Section 10.”

    From The Spin-Foam Approach to Quantum Gravity (2013) · cites this paper as [59]

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. J. C. Baez , “Spin foam models,” gr-qc/9709052. · arXiv
  2. J. W. Barrett , M. Rocek, and R. M. Williams, “A note on area variables in Regge calculus,” gr-qc/9710056. · arXiv

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Barrett, J. W., & Crane, L.
Affiliations
  • University of Nottingham (GB)
  • Kansas State University (US)
Venue
Journal of Mathematical Physics
Published
1998-06-01
Volume
39
Issue
6
Pages
3296-3302
ISSN
  • 0022-2488 (ISSN-L)
  • 1089-7658
OpenAlex
W2069771760
Cited by
404
References
25
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 22
FWCI
13.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Mathematical Physics (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Relativity and Gravitational Theory
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Nuclear and High Energy Physics › Black Holes and Theoretical Physics
Keywords
quantum gravity, 4-simplex, Ponzano-Regge model, state sum models, spin networks

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