Abstract
In this work we study the deformations into Lie bialgebras of the three relativistic Lie algebras: de Sitter, Anti-de Sitter and Poincaré, which describe the symmetries of the three maximally symmetric spacetimes. These algebras represent the centerpiece of the kinematics of special relativity (and its analogue in (Anti-)de Sitter spacetime), and provide the simplest framework to build physical models in which inertial observers are equivalent. Such a property can be expected to be preserved by Quantum Gravity, a theory which should build a length/energy scale into the microscopic structure of spacetime. Quantum groups, and their infinitesimal version ‘Lie bialgebras’, allow to encode such a scale into a noncommutativity of the algebra of functions over the group (and over spacetime, when the group acts on a homogeneous space). In 2+1 dimensions we have evidence that the vacuum state of Quantum Gravity is one such ‘noncommutative spacetime’ whose symmetries are described by a Lie bialgebra. It is then of great interest to study the possible Lie bialgebra deformations of the relativistic Lie algebras. In this paper, we develop a characterization of such deformations in 2, 3 and 4 spacetime dimensions motivated by physical requirements based on dimensional analysis, on various degrees of ‘manifest isotropy’ (which implies that certain symmetries, i.e. Lorentz transformations or rotations, are ‘more classical’), and on discrete symmetries like P and T. On top of a series of new results in 3 and 4 dimensions, we find a no-go theorem for the Lie bialgebras in 4 dimensions, which singles out the well-known ‘κ-deformation’ as the only one that depends on the first power of the Planck length, or, alternatively, that possesses ‘manifest’ spatial isotropy.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.