Discrete Mathematics and Physics on the Planck-Scale

Abstract

Starting from the hypothesis that both physics, in particular space-time and the physical vacuum, and the corresponding mathematics are discrete on the Planck scale we develop a certain framework in form of a '{\it cellular network}' consisting of cells interacting with each other via bonds. Both the internal states of the cells and the "strength" of the bonds are assumed to be dynamical variables. In section 3 the basis is laid for a version of '{\it discrete analysis}' which, starting from different, perhaps more physically oriented principles, manages to make contact with the much more abstract machinery of Connes et al. and may complement the latter approach. In section 4 a, as far as we can see, new concept of '{\it topological dimension}' in form of a '{\it degree of connectivity}' for graphs, networks and the like is developed. It is then indicated how this '{\it dimension}', which for continuous structures or lattices being embedded in a continuous background agrees with the usual notion of dimension, may change dynamically as a result of a '{\it phase transition like}' change in '{\it connectivity}' in the network. A certain speculative argument, along the lines of statistical mechanics, is supplied in favor of the naturalness of dimension 4 of ordinary (classical) space-time.