Three-dimensional gravity and deformations of relativistic symmetries

Abstract

It is possible that relativistic symmetries become deformed in the semiclassical regime of quantum gravity. Mathematically, such deformations lead to the noncommutativity of spacetime geometry and non-vanishing curvature of momentum space. The best studied example is given by the $\kappa$-Poincar\'e Hopf algebra, associated with $\kappa$-Minkowski space. On the other hand, the curved momentum space is a well-known feature of particles coupled to three-dimensional gravity. The purpose of this thesis was to explore some properties and mutual relations of the above two models. In particular, I study extensively the spectral dimension of $\kappa$-Minkowski space. I also present an alternative limit of the Chern-Simons theory describing three-dimensional gravity with particles. Then I discuss the spaces of momenta corresponding to conical defects in higher dimensional spacetimes. Finally, I consider the Fock space construction for the quantum theory of particles in three-dimensional gravity.