Gauge Theory of Quantum Gravity

Abstract

A gauge theory of quantum gravity is formulated, in which an internal, field dependent metric is introduced which non-linearly realizes the gauge fields on the non-compact group $SL(2,C)$, while linearly realizing them on $SU(2)$. Einstein's $SL(2,C)$ invariant theory of gravity emerges at low energies, since the extra degrees of freedom associated with the quadratic curvature and the internal metric only dominate at high energies. In a fixed internal metric gauge, only the the $SU(2)$ gauge symmetry is satisfied, the particle spectrum is identified and the Hamiltonian is shown to be bounded from below. Although Lorentz invariance is broken in this gauge, it is satisfied in general. The theory is quantized in this fixed, broken symmetry gauge as an $SU(2)$ gauge theory on a lattice with a lattice spacing equal to the Planck length. This produces a unitary and finite theory of quantum gravity.