Quantum gravitational measure for three-geometries

Abstract

The gravitational measure on an arbitrary topological three-manifold is constructed. The nontrivial dependence of the measure on the conformal factor is discussed. We show that only in the case of a compact manifold with boundary the measure acquires a nontrivial dependence on the conformal factor which is given by the Liouville action. A nontrivial Jacobian (the divergent part of it) generates the Einstein-Hilbert action. The Hartle-Hawking wave function of Universe is given in terms of the Liouville action. In the gaussian approximation to the Wheeler-DeWitt equation this result was earlier derived by Banks et al. Possible connection with the Chern-Simons gravity is also discussed.