On the gravitational energy problem and the energy of photons

Abstract

The lack of a well-established solution for the gravitational energy problem might be one of the reasons why a clear road to quantum gravity does not exist. In this paper, the gravitational energy is studied in detail with the help of the teleparallel approach that is equivalent to general relativity. This approach is applied to the solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell equations known as $pp$-wave spacetimes. The quantization of the electromagnetic energy is assumed and it is shown that the proper area measured by an observer must satisfy an equation for consistency. The meaning of this equation is discussed and it is argued that the spacetime geometry should become discrete once all matter fields are quantized, including the constituents of the frame; it is shown that for a harmonic oscillation with wavelength $\lambda_0$, the area and the volume take the form $A=4(N+1/2)l_p^2/n$ and $V=2(N+1/2)l_p^2\lambda_0$, where $N$ is the number of photons, $l_p$ the Planck length, and $n$ is a natural number associated with the length along the $z$-axis of a box with cross-sectional area $A$. The localization of the gravitational energy problem is also discussed. The stress-energy tensors for the gravitational and electromagnetic fields are decomposed into energy density, pressures and heat flow. The resultant expressions are consistent with the properties of the fields, thus indicating that one can have a well-defined energy density for the gravitational field regardless of the principle of equivalence.