Cited by 750Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity TheoriesRelativity and Gravitational TheoryBlack Holes and Theoretical Physics

Quantum spin dynamics (QSD)

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Thiemann, T·1998·Classical and Quantum Gravity

Abstract

An anomaly-free operator corresponding to the Wheeler - DeWitt constraint of Lorentzian, four-dimensional, canonical, non-perturbative vacuum gravity is constructed in the continuum. This operator is entirely free of factor-ordering singularities and can be defined in symmetric and non-symmetric form. We work in the real connection representation and obtain a well defined quantum theory. The action of the Wheeler - DeWitt constraint on spin-network states is by annihilating, creating and rerouting the quanta of angular momentum associated with the edges of the underlying graph while the ADM energy is essentially diagonalized by the spin-network states. We argue that the spin-network representation is the `nonlinear Fock representation' of quantum gravity, thus justifying the term `quantum spin dynamics (QSD)'. This paper is the first in a series of seven papers with the title `quantum spin dynamics (QSD)'.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1088/0264-9381/15/4/011

Cites

7 of 7 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

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Claims the paper makes

0 of 62 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingreasoning

    The volume operator is densely defined on thrice-differentiable cylindrical functions.

    “This demonstrates that V is a densely defined operator on thricedifferentiable cylindrical functions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingcitation

    This disappearance of regulator dependence before the limit is not generally true if one uses a larger space than Diff as in [24] or a different regularization scheme.

    “This is, in general, not true if one works with a larger space than Diff as in [24] or chooses another regularization scheme than the one chosen in the present paper.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Findingnone given

    The paper constructs, in the continuum, an anomaly-free operator for the Wheeler-DeWitt constraint of Lorentzian four-dimensional canonical non-perturbative vacuum gravity.

    “An anomaly-free operator corresponding to the Wheeler-DeWitt constraint of Lorentzian, four-dimensional, canonical, non-perturbative vacuum gravity is constructed in the continuum.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingnone given

    The Wheeler-DeWitt constraint acts on spin-network states by annihilating, creating, and rerouting angular-momentum quanta associated with the edges of the underlying graph.

    “The action of the Wheeler-DeWitt constraint on spin-network states is by annihilating, creating and rerouting the quanta of angular momentum associated with the edges of the underlying graph”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingnone given

    In all our constructions the regulator dependence disappears even before taking the limit.

    “It is important to notice that in all our constructions the regulator dependence actually disappears even before taking the limit.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 58
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 32
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 4
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    The number is independent of ε1 and ε2, so synchronization ε1=ε2 is unnecessary.

    “Even more is true: also [20]) so that we do not need to synchronize 1 = 2 .”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingreasoning

    Equation (2.10) is an identity for operators with domain and range in H for any ψ∈H, f∈...

    “Equation (2.10) is an identity which holds for operators with domain and range in for any ψ ∈ , f ∈ .”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    In constructing the Wheeler-DeWitt operator, the unrescaled Euclidean Hamiltonian operator and the generator of the Wick transform arise naturally and are also constructed rigorously as side results.

    “In the construction of the Wheeler-DeWitt operator the unrescaled Euclidean Hamiltonian operator as well as the generator of the Wick transform arise in a natural way so that both operators are also constructed rigorously as a side result.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Restricted to diffeomorphism-invariant distributions, the regularized operator is independent of the regularization parameter, so the continuum limit is already taken.

    “It turns out that in either case the operator Ô ( ), again restricted to the diffeomorphism-invariant distributions Diff in , is already independent of so that the continuum limit is already taken.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    The right-hand side of (2.10) is independent of ε_i even before taking the limit when ψ∈Diff, so the limit exists trivially.

    “the right-hand side of (2.10) is actually independent of i even before taking the limit in the case that ψ ∈ Diff which shows that the limit trivially exists.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingcitation

    The definition of the commutator can be extended to arbitrary polynomials of operators.

    “As shown in [20], this definition can be extended to an arbitrary polynomial of operators.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    For the symmetric operator, the complete solution is not yet available, although solutions can be computed case by case.

    “For the symmetric operator, on the other hand, we do not have the complete solution yet, although solutions can be easily computed using a case by case analysis.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    By choosing e_x(t) = t, one may assume e_y^(n)(0) < n!; if e_y^(n)(0) > n!, the projection of e into the x-y plane lies above the parabola y = x^n and cannot intersect a.

    “By choosing e x (t) as a parameter we may assume that e x (t) = t.Then we may assume e (n) y (0) < n!: namely, if e (n) y (0) > n! then again a segment incident at v of the projection of the curve e into the x-y plane, whose y component looks like e y (t) = t n + o(t n+1 ), lies above the parabola y = x n which describes s 2 and cannot possibly intersect the arc a.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Applying the operator to a cylindrical function leaves only a finite number n of terms in the Riemann sum, and n is constant no matter how small the regulator.

    “If one applies the operator to a cylindrical function then only a finite number n of terms in the sum survive and that number n is a constant no matter how small the regulator .”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    The details of the proposed regularization can be modified in several places.

    “its details can be modified in several places.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingreasoning

    In Situation (i), when the first non-vanishing z-derivative of e occurs at finite m and the first non-vanishing y-derivative occurs at finite m, an adapted-frame change multiplies the first non-vanishing z-derivative by z,z, so its sign is preserved and e curves away from the x-y plane without intersecting a.

    “We then readily verify that under a change of adapted frame we have that the first non-vanishing derivative of the z-component of e is given by e (m ) z (0) = z ,z e (m ) z (0) so that the sign of e (m ) z (0) is again preserved and e is curved away from the x-y plane so as not to intersect a.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The edges of the graph are analytic.
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Under adapted-frame changes, the signs of the first non-vanishing derivatives of e_x and e_y are preserved because x,x, y,y = 0 and ∂k x y = ∂k y x = 0 for all k.

    “Since x ,x , y ,y = 0, ∂ k x y = ∂ k y x = 0 ∀k, it follows that the sign of the first non-vanishing derivatives of e x , e y are preserved under changes of the adapted frame.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    In Situation (ii), the first possibly non-vanishing z-derivative of e is given by a formula involving z_xy ėx(0) e_y^(m)(0) plus z,z e_z^(m+1)(0), and its sign can be made arbitrary by choosing z.

    “The first possibly non-vanishing derivative of the z-component of e is given by e (m+1) z (0) = z xy ėx (0) ė(m) y (0) + z ,z e (m+1) z (0) and we see that this can have any sign for a suitable choice of z .”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Applying p_e to a function cylindrical with respect to γ annihilates it if γ and e do not intersect in a finite segment incident at the outgoing endpoint of e, and leaves it invariant otherwise.

    “The effect of this operator when applied to a function f , cylindrical with respect to a graph γ , is to annihilate that function if γ and e do not intersect in a finite segment incident at the outgoing endpoint of e and to leave it invariant otherwise.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    In subcase (I), m ≤ min(2m, m+n), the first non-vanishing derivative of e_z at t = 0 has order m and involves z,z e_z^(m)(0); choosing z,z large positive can beat contributions from A and B and preserve the sign.

    “Subcase (I) m min(2m, m + n).In this case the first non-vanishing derivative of e z at t = 0 is of order m and involves a term z ,z e (m ) z (0).By choosing the coefficient z ,z large and positive enough we can beat any possible contribution involving A, B and preserve the sign of e (m ) z (0).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    In the former case of c14, the first non-vanishing derivative of e_z at t = 0 is of order m+n and proportional to ∂^n_x ∂_y z e_y^(m)(0).

    “In the former case, the first non-vanishing derivative of e z at t = 0 and which is proportional to ∂ k x ∂ l y for some k 0 and some l > 0 at v is of order m + n and proportional to ∂ n x ∂ y z e (m) y (0) which follows from the fact that all contributions which do not contain at least one factor of e (m) y (0) must vanish due to the adaptedness of the frame.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    In subcase (II), m > min(2m, m+n), the first non-vanishing derivative of e_z at t = 0 is of order m+n when n < m and involves only the A term; it is of order 2m when n ≥ m and involves only B when n > m; for n = m it is given by a specific expression involving B, e_y^(n), and ėx.

    “Subcase (II) m > min(2m, m + n).The first non-vanishing derivative of e z at t = 0 is of order m + n if n < m and involves only the term proportional to A, of order 2m if n m and involves only a term proportional to B if n > m and for n = m the derivative is given precisely by”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    The construction did not use any background metric.

    “We did not make use of any background metric.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    No ill-defined products of distributions arise, no singularities are encountered, and no renormalization of the operator is necessary.

    “no ill-defined products of distributions arise, we do not encounter any singularities and no renormalization of the operator is necessary.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingreasoning

    Choosing positive β and sufficiently large α and the diffeomorphism z := αz + β y^2/2 - 2 y x^n/(n!)^2 makes the image of e curve away from the x-y plane for m ≤ min(m+n,2m), and for m > min(m+n,2m) curve into the upper half-space if n > m, into the lower half-space if n < m, and into the lower half-space if e_x = t, e_y = kt^n + o(t^{n+1}), k < 1.

    “It then follows that if we choose any positive number β and some large enough positive number α > 0 and the diffeomorphism (which satisfies the condition between A, B as given above) z := αz + β y 2 /2 -2yx n /(n!) 2 then the image of the edge e under this diffeomorphism will be such that it is curved away from the x-y plane as before”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    The end result of the regularization and computations is independent of the choice of standard frame.

    “The end result will be independent of that choice of frame.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    The first derivative of e_z involving A = ∂^n_x ∂_y z at v has order n + m and is given by c_A A ėx(0)^n e_y^(m)(0) with c_A > 0.

    “We notice that the first derivative of e z at t = 0 which involves A := ∂ n x ∂ y z at v is of order n + m and given by a term c A A ėx (0) n e (m) y (0), c A > 0.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    In the collinear case, only the sign of the first non-vanishing derivative of e_y is preserved; in fact x,x = y,y = 1, so its value is preserved.

    “This time we only have that x ,x , y ,y = 0, ∂ k x y ∀k which implies only that the sign of the first non-vanishing derivative of e y is preserved, we even find that x ,x = y ,y = 1 so that even its value is preserved.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Equation (3.10) still has the correct classical limit: up to higher-order terms in h its action on cylindrical functions is still given by (3.7), which has the correct classical limit.

    “We note that (3.10) still has the correct classical limit: up to terms of higher order in h its action on cylindrical functions is still given by (3.7), which was shown to have the correct classical limit.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    The final result does not depend on the tetrahedra away from vertices because they do not intersect a vertex of γ.

    “As we have argued above, the final result will not depend on these tetrahedra because they do not intersect a vertex of γ .”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    Applying Ĥ_E^T[N] to cylindrical functions yields a cylindrical function depending on additional edges.

    “The result of applying Ĥ E T [N ] to cylindrical functions will be a cylindrical function that depends on additional edges.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingreasoning

    In the case s_k(Δ) ∩ γ ≠ ∅ but does not contain a vertex of γ, [h_s_k(Δ), V]f = 0 because of the signature factor.

    “It then follows that again [h s k ( ) , V ]f = -v∈V (γ ∪s k ( ))-V (γ ) Vv h s k ( ) f = 0 because of the signature factor (s i , s j , s k ) involved in (2.8).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    The edge projectors p_e commute with each other and are symmetric.

    “The operators pe all commute among each other and are symmetric.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingnone given

    One can choose an adapted frame, a small enough neighbourhood of v, and an arc a_ij through that neighbourhood lying in the plane bounded by s_i and s_j such that the routing through all other edges incident at v is as described.

    “In conclusion, we choose an adapted frame and a small enough neighbourhood of v and an arc a ij ( ) going through that neighbourhood, which lies in the plane bounded by s i ( ), s j ( ) such that the routing through all other edges incident at v is the one described above.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    The first derivative of e_z involving B = ∂^2_y z at v has order 2m and is given by c_B B e_y^(m)(0)^2 with c_B > 0.

    “Likewise, the first derivative which involves B := ∂ 2 y z at v is of order 2m and given by a term c B B e (m) y (0) 2 , c B > 0.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    The operator Ĥ_E^T[N] has the correct classical limit.

    “is an operator with the correct classical limit.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingreasoning

    Such changes result in different continuum operators.

    “Such changes result in different continuum operators.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    The seven mirror tetrahedra do not play any role at the end, so the choice of adapted frame is irrelevant to define them.

    “We will see that the seven 'mirror' tetrahedra do not play any role at the end of the day so that the choice of adapted frame is irrelevant to define them.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    In the collinear case, if m ≥ 2 then the sign of ėx(0) is preserved; if m = 1 it need not be, but the projection of e into the x-y plane remains outside the wedge, so the condition that e points into the wedge is preserved.

    “Now, if m 2 then the sign of ėx (0) is preserved.If m = 1 then it is not necessarily preserved but then it is true that, since n 2, the projection of e into the x-y plane, which lay outside the wedge in a small enough neighbourhood of the vertex, is still outside the wedge.Therefore the condition that e does or does not point into the wedge is preserved.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    The property that a region and its mirror images saturate v is diffeomorphism invariant, so everything is independent of the chosen regions.

    “The only property of the region assigned to which will be important is that and its mirror images saturate † v which is a diffeomorphism-invariant property and therefore everything will be independent of these regions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingcitation

    This annihilation feature is shared with previous regularizations [35,36].

    “This is a feature which is shared with previous regularizations [35,36].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [35] Thiemann T, 1998, Class. Quantum Grav.

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [36] Gambini R

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    The properties of operator (3.4) are largely determined by the choice of triangulation T.

    “It is obvious that the properties of the operator (3.4) are largely determined by the choice of triangulation T”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingcitation

    This expectation is correct, as will be shown in [20].

    “This expectation turns out to be correct as we will show in [20].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    The symmetry of each member of the family defined in the second line of (3.10) is obvious.

    “The symmetry of each member of the family defined in the second line of (3.10) is obvious.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    If e_y^(n)(0) = n!, then either e_y has another higher-order nonvanishing derivative or m < ∞, because otherwise e would coincide with s2, which is excluded.

    “If e (n) y (0) = n! then we must have that either e y has another higher-order nonvanishing derivative e (m) y (0) = 0, m > n or, if that is not the case, m < ∞, since otherwise e would coincide with s 2 which we have excluded.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Kf equals -1/(il_p^2) Σ_v [V_v, Ĥ_E_v] f, which is written as Σ_v K_v f.

    “Kf = - 1 iℓ 2 p v,v ∈V (γ ) Vv , Ĥ E v f = - 1 iℓ 2 p v∈V (γ ) Vv , Ĥ E v f =: v∈V (γ ) Kv f (4.2)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    For the non-symmetric operator there is no problem because the endpoints of a_ij always form new 3-valent vertices of γ ∪ a_ij, but the incident edges there have only two independent tangent directions.

    “Now, for the non-symmetric operator there is no problem at all because by construction of the triangulation assignment the endpoints of a ij ( ) always form new 3-valent vertices of γ ∪ a ij ( ) but the edges incident at them only have two independent tangent directions there, namely those of e i ( ) and a ij ( ).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    For Ĥ^E and ĥ^E, although tetrahedra may not be equal under a diffeomorphism, the routing topology is the same because the prescription depended only on graph topology.

    “However, the graphs γ, γ = ϕ(γ ) are diffeomorphic, therefore the topology of the routing of the arcs a ij ( (γ )) through the edges of γ and of the arcs a ij ( (γ )) through the edges of γ as specified in section 3.1.3is the same since that prescription depended only on the topology of the graph.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    In case (i), each term in (3.10) corresponding to a tetrahedron involving the removed edge vanishes identically; in case (ii), all terms corresponding to the removed vertex vanish when applied to a function cylindrical with respect to γ'.

    “In case (i) it is clear that each term in (3.10) corresponding to a tetrahedron which involves the removed edge vanishes identically, while in case (ii) all terms corresponding to the removed vertex vanish when applied to a function f cylindrical with respect to the graph γ .”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    V and Ĥ_E have dense domain and range in Cyl^3(A/G).

    “Notice that V , Ĥ E both have dense domain and range in Cyl 3 (A/G).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    For p and Ê(v), covariance follows from U(φ) p_e U(φ)^-1 = p_{φ(e)} for any diffeomorphism φ, which follows because p_e is defined in terms of h_e(A).

    “For p , Ê(v) this follows from the manifest covariance of pe , namely Û(ϕ) pe Û(ϕ) -1 = pϕ(e) for any ϕ ∈ Diff( ) which in turn is a consequence of the fact that pe is defined in terms of h e (A).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    The tetrahedron projectors p(γ∪(γ)) can be replaced by p(γ), and Ê(v, γ∪(γ)) can be replaced by Ê(v, γ).

    “While this is a complicated expression, what counts is that the tetrahedron projectors p (γ ∪ (γ )) can be replaced by p (γ ) , that is, a projector with respect to the original graph γ and therefore also Ê(v, γ ∪ (γ )) can be replaced by Ê(v, γ ).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingreasoning

    Ĥ^E_γ f and Ĥ^E_γ' f are related by a diffeomorphism, following from the manifestly diffeomorphism-invariant loop assignment.

    “Finally, it follows from our manifestly diffeomorphism-invariant prescription of a loop assignment that Ĥ E γ f and Ĥ E γ f are related by a diffeomorphism.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    The volume operator acts trivially on vertices whose incident edge tangents lie in a common plane.

    “The idea is to exploit that the volume operator acts trivially on vertices which are such that the tangents of all edges incident at it lie in a common plane.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    The routing prescription is independent of the frame and coincides for any two vertices of diffeomorphic graph neighbourhoods.

    “More specifically, this prescription was shown to be independent of the frame and therefore coincides for any two vertices v, v of graphs γ, γ for which neighbourhoods U, U exist such that U ∩ γ and U ∩ γ are diffeomorphic.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    The regulated operator for tr[K_a,K_b]E^a,E^b/√det(q) is consistently defined, diffeomorphism covariant, and symmetric when Ĥ_E(N) is symmetric.

    “As outlined in section 3, we will now first derive a regulated operator corresponding to the expression tr [K a , K b ] E a , E b / √ det(q) which is consistently defined, whose action is diffeomorphism covariant and, in the case we are dealing with a symmetric Ĥ E (N ), is symmetric as well.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Under the coloured-graph option, it is meaningful to compute polynomials and commutators of the regularized operators on the space of cylindrical functions.

    “given option (a) it is meaningful to compute polynomials of operators Ô( ), in particular, it is possible to compute commutators of such operators on .”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The diffeomorphism group is represented unitarily on H, but one-parameter subgroups are not strongly continuous.

    “As was already discussed in [14], the diffeomorphism group is represented unitarily on H, however, one-parameter subgroups are not strongly continuous.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] Baez J, 1994, Lett. Math. Phys. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Classical functions O are not diffeomorphism invariant.

    “Not even the classical functions O are diffeomorphism invariant”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    In the representation used, replacing curvature F by a loop is unavoidable, so the regulator is unavoidable.

    “In the representation that we work with there is no other way than to replace the curvature F by a loop, thus the regulator is really unavoidable.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    The integrated trace of extrinsic curvature is, up to a multiplicative constant, the time derivative of the total volume with respect to the integrated Hamiltonian constraint, a signature-invariant statement.

    “Secondly, it is a well known fact that K is, up to a multiplicative constant, just the time derivative of the total volume with respect to the integrated Hamiltonian constraint (which is a signature-invariant statement)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    For the renormalized density-weight-two operator, the classical limit was the zero function, making the approach dubious.

    “However, the classical limit of that renormalized operator was the zero function and therefore the whole approach became dubious.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [15] Baez J, 1994

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    The Hamiltonian constraint of Euclidean or Lorentzian gravity as defined by Ashtekar has density weight two, so obtaining a polynomial form requires rescaling and absorbing a factor of 1/sqrt(det q) into the lapse function.

    “the Hamiltonian constraint of Euclidean or Lorentzian gravity as defined by Ashtekar is a density of weight two, namely, in order to obtain a polynomial form of those constraints one needs to rescale the constraint functional and to absorb a factor of 1/ √ det(q) into the Lagrange multiplier”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    With gravity, the singularity is removed and the limit yields a well-defined operator-valued distribution.

    “On the other hand, with gravity the singularity is removed, in the limit one arrives at a well defined operatorvalued distribution.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisenone given

    Taking the square root of infinitely many non-self-adjoint, non-positive, non-commuting operators remains problematic.

    “there remain problems that have to do with taking the square root of an infinite number of non-self-adjoint, non-positive, non-commuting operators.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    The pair (K_i^a, E^a_i) is canonical and obeys canonical brackets.

    “It turns out that the pair (K i a , E a i ) is a canonical one, that is, these variables obey canonical brackets”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Except for spinorial matter, standard-model matter Hamiltonians are quadratic in momenta, giving density weight two without gravity and density weight one with gravity.

    “With the exception of spinorial matter, all matter Hamiltonians of, say, the standard model, are quadratic in the momenta which means that they display a density weight of two when neglecting the gravitational interaction, while they have density weight one when taking gravity into account.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    General relativity in Ashtekar variables is a dynamical theory of complex-valued connections for the non-compact gauge group SL(2,C), while standard Yang-Mills techniques apply only for compact gauge groups.

    “general relativity, when written in Ashtekar variables, is a dynamical theory of complex-valued connections for the non-compact gauge group SL(2, C), however, standard mathematical constructions and techniques usually used for Yang-Mills theory apply only if the gauge group is compact.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    With rising valence of v, the number of topologically different routings becomes complex, so a diffeomorphism-invariant description of the routing choice is needed.

    “With rising valence of v the number of topologically different possibilities of routing a between the edges e incident at v becomes rather complex so that we need to give a diffeomorphism-invariant description of the choice of routing.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The prescription for choosing arcs a_ij(Δ) follows and extends Lewandowski's prescription to the case of collinear tangents.

    “We follow and extend (to the case of a pair of edges with collinear tangents at their intersection) an elegant prescription due to Lewandowski [18] to which one is driven quite naturally.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The notion of a constraint operator at a point makes perfect sense in our case.

    “We will see that in our case the notion of a constraint operator at a point makes perfect sense.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationnone given

    It would be less straightforward to define K with the rescaled form of the constraint because K is then no longer the time derivative of the volume.

    “it would be less straightforward to define K with this rescaled form of the constraint since then K is no longer the time derivative of the volume.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    If that volume operator were used, finer triangulations would produce more contributions and the resulting continuum operator could not be densely defined.

    “had we used this operator, as we make the triangulation finer and finer we would get more and more contributions and thus the resulting continuum operator could not even be densely defined.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The Dirac algebra is faithfully represented on Diff but is anomalous on *.

    “while the Dirac algebra is faithfully represented on Diff it is anomalous on * .”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    The classical Hamiltonian constraint is not diffeomorphism invariant but is diffeomorphism covariant.

    “the classical Hamiltonian constraint is not diffeomorphism invariant, but it is diffeomorphism covariant.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    If this classical covariance carries over to the quantum theory, diffeomorphic vectors are mapped by Ĥ_E into diffeomorphic vectors.

    “If we could carry over this classical property to the quantum theory then diffeomorphic vectors would be mapped by Ĥ E into diffeomorphic vectors.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Symmetric and non-symmetric operators have the same classical limit.

    “the symmetric and non-symmetric operators have the same classical limit”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationnone given

    The method described below avoids complications connected with those two steps.

    “By employing the method described below we can avoid the complications that arise in connection with these two steps.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    The classical Hamiltonian constraint is a real-valued function on the phase space of general relativity.

    “The classical Hamiltonian constraint is a real-valued function on the phase space of general relativity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    By choosing the arc a in a small enough neighbourhood of v, the only danger is that a intersects another edge e incident at v different from e1,e2.

    “Clearly, by choosing a to lie in a small enough neighbourhood of v the only danger is that a can intersect some other edge e different from e 1 , e 2 , also incident at v.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The method in [17,18] absorbs the prefactor 1/√det(q) into the lapse and gives meaning to the operator for the square root of the trace.

    “The method applied in [17,18] is to absorb the prefactor 1/ √ det(q) in (2.7) into the lapse function and to give meaning to the operator corresponding to the square root of the trace.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [17] source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [18] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The classical identity K = -V, H_E[1] holds only for H_E given by (2.7), not for √det(q) H_E [15,35,36] or [17,18].

    “the classical identity K = -V , H E [1] holds only for H E given by (2.7), it holds neither for √ det(q) H E [15,35,36] nor for √ det(q) H E [17,18]”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 5 sources checked
    • cites [15] Baez J, 1994

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [35] Thiemann T, 1998, Class. Quantum Grav.

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [36] Gambini R

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [17] source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [18] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    K has dense domain and range in Cyl^3(A/G).

    “Therefore, K also has dense domain and range in Cyl 3 (A/G).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The volume operator defined in the second reference of [33] is selected by the dynamics, while the operator defined in [32] must be rejected.

    “It is here where the volume operator as defined in the second reference of [33] is selected by the dynamics of the theory, while the operator as defined in [32] has to be rejected (if one follows the approach advertised here)!”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [33] Thiemann T, 1998, Class. Quantum Grav.

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [32] Thiemann T, 1998, Class. Quantum Grav.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    In the diffeomorphism-invariant context, the constraint algebra becomes Abelian.

    “Expectedly, in the diffeomorphism-invariant context it is true that the constraint algebra becomes Abelian which makes group-averaging especially attractive (see [1]).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] Thiemann T, 1998, Class. Quantum Grav. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In the cited finite-dimensional gauge systems, a consistent quantization exists but the Hamiltonian constraint is never symmetric.

    “The authors find that a consistent quantization can be obtained but never in such a way that the Hamiltonian constraint is a symmetric operator.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [34] Thiemann T, 1998, Class. Quantum Grav.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    For the symmetric operator, direct methods cannot be applied and group-averaging is important.

    “However, for the symmetric operator, to which we can apply the method, direct methods are not possible to apply and so group-averaging becomes important.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    In the diffeomorphism-invariant context, the loops can be chosen small and the triangulation fine without changing the value of (3.12), so the continuum limit has already been taken.

    “Therefore, in this diffeomorphisminvariant context, the loops α ij ( ) can be chosen as 'small' and the triangulation as 'fine' as we wish, the value of (3.12) remains invariant and in that sense the continuum limit has already been taken.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    For the non-symmetric Hamiltonian constraint operator, group-averaging is not needed and solutions can be computed by direct methods.

    “It will turn out that we do not need to apply any group-averaging [14] with respect to the non-symmetric Hamiltonian constraint operator but rather can compute the solutions by direct methods.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] Baez J, 1994, Lett. Math. Phys. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    When the assumptions of the no-go theorem in [34] are applied to this case, only the assumption that the classical diffeomorphism constraint is linear in momenta holds; the other listed assumptions fail.

    “Only assumption (iii) is satisfied here, the rest are violated.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [34] Thiemann T, 1998, Class. Quantum Grav.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Since Ĥ_E[1] is imaginary-valued, K and V are real-valued operators.

    “Moreover, consider the case where we are using the symmetric version of Ĥ E (N).Then K is also symmetric and since Ĥ E [1] is an imaginary-valued operator, K and V are both real-valued operators.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    According to algebraic quantization, solutions to the Euclidean Hamiltonian constraint are diffeomorphism-invariant distributions ψ on Cyl∞(A/G) satisfying Ĥ^E[N]φ = 0 for all lapse functions N.

    “According to the programme of algebraic quantization proposed in [14] the solutions to the Euclidean Hamiltonian constraint are diffeomorphism-invariant distributions ψ on := Cyl ∞ (A/G) such that for all lapse functions N Ĥ E [N]φ = 0 ∀φ ∈ .”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] Baez J, 1994, Lett. Math. Phys. source

      Not checked in the free run.

87 of 87
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    There exists a phase of quantum gravity in which gravitational-field excitations can be probed by loops rather than by rapidly decreasing test functions.

    “if, as we do in the following, one makes the assumption that there exists a phase for quantum gravity in which the excitations of the gravitational field can be probed by loops rather than, say, test functions of rapid decrease”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The quantizations of the total volume and the integrated trace of extrinsic curvature can be defined densely on suitable subspaces of cylindrical functions, and can be made self-adjoint if a symmetric operator is desired.

    “Suppose that we can give meaning, in a representation in which A is diagonal, to two operators corresponding to (i) the total volume of given by †”
    “This means that their quantizations V , K are densely defined on suitable subspaces of cylindrical functions (if we wish to obtain a symmetric operator we will also require that they are self-adjoint on H).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    On diffeomorphism-invariant states, the constraint algebra is Abelian.

    “since, expectedly, on diffeomorphism-invariant states the constraint algebra is Abelian we are able to find solutions to the constraint as well as to construct a physical inner product by the group-averaging method [26,27].”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The classical Poisson brackets {O1,O2} vanish identically on the constraint surface defined by the diffeomorphism constraint.

    “The classical Poisson brackets {O 1 , O 2 } vanish identically on the constraint surface of the phase space defined by the diffeomorphism constraint”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The measure µ0 is diffeomorphism invariant.

    “the measure µ 0 is diffeomorphism invariant.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The space of solutions to the classical Einstein equations has a rich structure.

    “The space of solutions to the classical Einstein equations has a rich structure”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    There exists a diffeomorphism-invariant prescription of the topology of the routing.

    “the reader not interested in the details may skip the rest of the present item and should just assume that there exists a diffeomorphism-invariant prescription of the topology of the routing.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The edges of the graph are analytic.

    “The combination m = m = ∞ is excluded as otherwise s 1 and e would overlap in a finite segment (here we have used the analyticity of the edges).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The space of vertex contractors for divalent vertices is one-dimensional.

    “Now from the fact that the space of vertex contractors for divalent vertices is one dimensional we see that”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    In the octant case, e points into an octant where both x and y are positive.

    “So let us assume that e does point into an octant where both x-y are positive.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    In the wedge case, e points into the wedge.

    “So let us assume that e points into the wedge, in particular, ėx (0), ė(m) y (0) > 0.”
11 of 11

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?

  • The Hamiltonian constraints for cosmological models can be quantized with some adaptations to the symmetry.

    “Following the basic steps of the quantization in the full theory [11], the Hamiltonian constraints for cosmological models can be quantized with some adaptations to the symmetry [12].”

    From Absence of a Singularity in Loop Quantum Cosmology (2001) · cites this paper as [12]

  • The Wheeler-DeWitt operator in loop quantum gravity remains poorly understood.

    “Unfortunately, this operator of the full theory remains poorly understood.”

    From Loop quantum cosmology: I. Kinematics (2000) · cites this paper as [19]

  • An S-symmetric principal fibre bundle with isotropy subgroup F is uniquely characterized by a conjugacy class [λ] of homomorphisms λ:F→G and a reduced bundle Q.

    “Theorem 2.1.A S-symmetric principal fibre bundle P ( , G, π) with the isotropy subgroup F S of the action of S on is uniquely characterized by a conjugacy class [λ] of homomorphisms λ: F → G together with a reduced bundle Q( /S, Z G (λ(F )), π Q ).”
  • An S-invariant connection on P is uniquely classified by a reduced connection on Q and a Higgs field φ obeying equation (5).

    “Then the connection ω is uniquely classified by the reduced connection ω on Q and the Higgs field φ: Q × LF ⊥ → LG obeying equation (5).”
  • A real-valued Ashtekar connection can be used at the cost of a fairly complicated Lorentzian Hamiltonian constraint.

    “one can also use a real-valued Ashtekar connection A i a = i a + K i a at the price of living with a fairly complicated Lorentzian Hamiltonian constraint.”

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Claim of complete solutions conflicts with the stated gap for the symmetric operator

    Minor

    The paper claims complete control of solutions for both versions, but elsewhere says the symmetric version has not been completely solved.

  • References for QSD III-VI point to unrelated entries

    Minor

    The introduction assigns citations [20]-[23] to QSD III-VI, but those bibliography entries are papers by other authors. The bibliography lists the QSD installments under different numbers.

  • The series is counted as both seven and six papers

    Minor

    The abstract says the QSD series has seven papers, while the introduction says it has six.

  • The promised self-adjoint Euclidean operator conflicts with the stated main-text construction

    Minor

    Step (i) says its result will be self-adjoint, whereas the paper says the construction presented in the main text is non-symmetric. A non-symmetric operator cannot be self-adjoint.

4 of 4

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 36

  1. Thiemann T, 1998, Class. Quantum Grav., 15, 875, 10.1088/0264-9381/15/4/012 · DOI · Paper page
  2. 10.1103/PhysRev.160.1113 · DOI · Paper page
  3. 10.1103/PhysRev.162.1195 · DOI · Paper page
  4. 10.1103/PhysRev.162.1239 · DOI · Paper page
  5. 10.1103/PhysRevLett.57.2244 · DOI · Paper page
  6. 10.1103/PhysRevD.36.1587 · DOI · Paper page
  7. Thiemann T, 1996, Class. Quantum Grav., 13, 1383, 10.1088/0264-9381/13/6/012 · DOI · Paper page
  8. 10.1103/PhysRevA.53.2865 · DOI · Paper page
  9. Barbero F, 1995, Phys. Rev., 51, 5507, 10.1103/PhysRevD.51.5507 · DOI · Paper page
  10. Baez J, 1994, Lett. Math. Phys., 31, 213, 10.1007/BF00761713 · DOI · Paper page
  11. Marolf D, 1995, Commun. Math. Phys., 170, 583, 10.1007/BF02099150 · DOI · Paper page
  12. 10.1016/0393-0440(95)00028-G · DOI · Paper page
  13. 10.1063/1.531037 · DOI · Paper page
  14. Ashtekar A, 1995, J. Math. Phys., 36, 519
  15. 10.1016/0550-3213(90)90269-J · DOI · Paper page
  16. 10.1016/0550-3213(90)90019-A · DOI · Paper page
  17. 10.1016/0370-2693(91)90233-G · DOI · Paper page
  18. 10.1103/PhysRevLett.72.446 · DOI · Paper page
  19. Gambini R, 1995, Int. J. Mod. Phys., 4, 589, 10.1142/S0218271895000417 · DOI · Paper page
  20. Loll R, 1995, Acta Cosmologica, 21, 132
  21. 10.1103/PhysRevB.54.5381 · DOI · Paper page
  22. 10.1103/PhysRevLett.72.446 · DOI · Paper page
  23. Thiemann T, 1998, Class. Quantum Grav., 15
  24. Thiemann T, 1998, Class. Quantum Grav., 15
  25. Thiemann T, 1998, Class. Quantum Grav., 15
  26. Thiemann T, 1998, Class. Quantum Grav., 15
  27. Higuchi A, 1991, Class. Quantum Grav., 8, 1983, 10.1088/0264-9381/8/11/010 · DOI
  28. Higuchi A, 1991, Class. Quantum Grav., 8, 2023, 10.1088/0264-9381/8/11/012 · DOI
  29. Marolf D, 1995, Class. Quantum Grav., 12, 2469, 10.1088/0264-9381/12/10/007 · DOI · Paper page
  30. Rovelli C, 1995, Phys. Rev., 53, 5743
  31. 10.1016/0550-3213(95)00550-5 · DOI · Paper page
  32. Lewandowski J, 1997, Class. Quantum Grav., 14, 71, 10.1088/0264-9381/14/1/010 · DOI · Paper page
  33. Hajícek P, 1990, Phys. Rev., 41, 1091, 10.1103/PhysRevD.41.1091 · DOI
  34. 10.1063/1.529015 · DOI
  35. 10.1016/0550-3213(91)90298-C · DOI
  36. Brügmann B, 1992, Nucl. Phys., 385, 1199

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Thiemann, T.
Affiliations
Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author
Thiemann, T
Venue
Classical and Quantum Gravity
Published
1998-04-01
Volume
15
Issue
4
Pages
839-873
ISSN
  • 0264-9381 (ISSN-L)
  • 1361-6382
OpenAlex
W2081561221
Cited by
750
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 37 · 2012: 39
FWCI
20.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Classical and Quantum Gravity (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • CERN Document Server (European Organization for Nuclear Research) (submittedVersion)
  • Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (submittedVersion)
  • Max Planck Digital Library (submittedVersion)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Funders
  • U.S. Department of Energy (DE‐FG02‐)
  • Harvard 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 spin dynamics, Wheeler-DeWitt equation, spin networks, quantum gravity, factor ordering, ADM energy, canonical quantum gravity

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-06.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-06.

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