A Regularization of Quantum Gravity

Abstract

We re-examine results of the Liouville theory and provide arguments that a {\it negative} bare cosmological constant is essential to define two-dimensional quantum gravity. From this we are naturally led to a regularization of quantum gravity within the Regge approach such that it is described by small fluctuations around equilateral triangles, whose average link length approaches zero in the continuum limit. We investigate a model based on this idea numerically and present evidence for the desired long-range correlations. Interestingly, the approach might generalize to higher dimensions. The picture of an inflated balloon, which is often used to demonstrate the properties of an expanding classical universe, seems to be valuable to understand quantum gravity as well.