Quantum gravity in 2+1 dimensions
The first comprehensive survey of (2+1)-dimensional quantum gravity. It presents some fifteen different approaches, comparing the resulting theories and suggesting implications for the ultimate goal of a (3+1)-dimensional theory uniting general relativity and quantum mechanics. An invaluable resource for all graduate students and researchers working in quantum gravity.
290 pages : illustrations
9780521545884, 0521545889
1064368892
1. Why (2+1)-dimensional gravity?; 2. Classical general relativity in 2+1 dimensions; 3. A field guide to the (2+1)-dimensional spacetimes; 4. Geometric structures and Chern-Simons theory; 5. Canonical quantization in reduced phase space; 6. The connection representation; 7. Operator algebras and loops; 8. The Wheeler-DeWitt equation; 9. Lorentzian path integrals; 10. Euclidian path integrals and quantum cosmology; 11. Lattice methods; 12. The (2+1)-dimensional black hole; 13. Next steps; Appendix A. The topology of manifolds; Appendix B. Lorentzian metrics and causal structure; Appendix C. Differential geometry and fiber bundles; References; Index.
Originally published: 1998