Ponzano-Regge Model Research Articles

3D quantum gravity from holomorphic blocks

Three-dimensional gravity is a topological field theory, which can be quantized as the Ponzano-Regge state-sum model built from the ${3nj}$ symbols of the recoupling of the SU(2) representations, in which spins are interpreted as quantized edge lengths in Planck units. It describes the flat spacetime as the gluing of three-dimensional cells with a fixed boundary metric encoding length scale. In this paper, we revisit the Ponzano-Regge model formulated in terms of spinors and rewrite the quantum geometry of 3D cells with holomorphic recoupling symbols. These symbols, known as Schwinger's generating function for the ${6j}$ symbols, are simply the squared inverse of the partition function of the 2D Ising model living on the boundary of the 3D cells. They can furthermore be interpreted, in their critical regime, as scale-invariant basic elements of geometry. We show how to glue them together into a discrete topological quantum field theory. This reformulation of the path integral for 3D quantum gravity, with a rich pole structure of the elementary building blocks, opens a new door toward the study of phase transitions and continuum limits in 3D quantum gravity and offers a new twist on the construction of a duality between 3D quantum gravity and a 2D conformal theory.

Searching for classical geometries in spin foam amplitudes: a numerical method

We develop a numerical method to investigate the semiclassical limit of spin foam amplitudes with many vertices. We test it using the Ponzano–Regge model, a spin foam model for three-dimensional euclidean gravity, and a transition amplitude with three vertices. We study the summation over bulk spins, and we identify the stationary phase points that dominate it and that correspond to classical geometries. We complement with the numerical analysis of a four vertex transition amplitude and with a modification of the model that includes local curvature. We discuss the generalization of our results to the four-dimensional EPRL spin foam model, and we provide suggestions for new computations.

Quasi-local holographic dualities in non-perturbative 3d quantum gravity II – From coherent quantum boundaries to BMS3 characters

We analyze the partition function of three-dimensional quantum gravity on the twisted solid torus and the ensuing dual field theory. The setting is that of a non-perturbative model of three-dimensional quantum gravity, the Ponzano–Regge model, which is here reviewed in a self-contained manner and then used to compute quasi-local amplitudes for its boundary states. In this second paper of the series, we choose a particular class of boundary spin network states which impose Gibbons–Hawking–York boundary conditions to the partition function. The peculiarity of these states is to encode a two-dimensional quantum geometry peaked around a classical quadrangulation of the finite toroidal boundary. Thanks to the topological properties of three-dimensional gravity, the theory easily projects onto the boundary while crucially still keeping track of the topological properties of the bulk. This produces, at the non-perturbative level, a specific non-linear sigma-model on the boundary, akin to a Wess–Zumino–Novikov–Witten model, whose classical equations of motion can be used to reconstruct different bulk geometries: the expected classical one is accompanied by other “quantum” solutions. The classical regime of the sigma-model becomes reliable in the limit of large boundary spins, which coincides with the semi-classical limit of the boundary geometry. In a 1-loop approximation around the solutions to the classical equations of motion, we recover (with corrections due to the non-classical bulk geometries) results obtained in the past via perturbative quantum General Relativity and through the study of characters of the BMS3 group. The exposition is meant to be completely self-contained.

Quasi-local holographic dualities in non-perturbative 3d quantum gravity I – Convergence of multiple approaches and examples of Ponzano–Regge statistical duals

This is the first of a series of papers dedicated to the study of the partition function of three-dimensional quantum gravity on the twisted solid torus with the aim to deepen our understanding of holographic dualities from a non-perturbative quantum gravity perspective. Our aim is to compare the Ponzano–Regge model for non-perturbative three-dimensional quantum gravity with the previous perturbative calculations of this partition function. We begin by reviewing the results obtained in the past ten years via a wealth of different approaches, and then introduce the Ponzano–Regge model in a self-contained way. Thanks to the topological nature of three-dimensional quantum gravity we can solve exactly for the bulk degrees of freedom and identify dual boundary theories which depend on the choice of boundary states, that can also describe finite, non-asymptotic boundaries. This series of papers aims precisely at the investigation of the role played by the different quantum boundary conditions leading to different boundary theories. Here, we will describe the spin network boundary states for the Ponzano–Regge model on the twisted torus and derive the general expression for the corresponding partition functions. We identify a class of boundary states describing a tessellation with maximally fuzzy squares for which the partition function can be explicitly evaluated. In the limit case of a large, but finely discretized, boundary we find a dependence on the Dehn twist angle characteristic for the BMS3 character. We furthermore show how certain choices of boundary states lead to known statistical models as dual field theories – but with a twist.

3d Quantum Gravity: Coarse-Graining and $$\varvec{q}$$ q -Deformation

The Ponzano-Regge state-sum model provides a quantization of 3d gravity as a spin foam, providing a quantum amplitude to each 3d triangulation defined in terms of the 6j-symbol (from the spin-recoupling theory of SU(2) representations). In this context, the invariance of the 6j-symbol under 4-1 Pachner moves, mathematically defined by the Biedenharn-Elliot identity, can be understood as the invariance of the Ponzano-Regge model under coarse-graining or equivalently as the invariance of the amplitudes under the Hamiltonian constraints. Here we look at length and volume insertions in the Biedenharn-Elliot identity for the 6j-symbol, derived in some sense as higher derivatives of the original formula. This gives the behavior of these geometrical observables under coarse-graining. These new identities turn out to be related to the Biedenharn-Elliot identity for the q-deformed 6j-symbol and highlight that the q-deformation produces a cosmological constant term in the Hamiltonian constraints of 3d quantum gravity.

Asymptotic Analysis of the Ponzano-Regge Model with Non-Commutative Metric Boundary Data

We apply the non-commutative Fourier transform for Lie groups to formulate the non-commutative metric representation of the Ponzano-Regge spin foam model for 3d quantum gravity. The non-commutative representation allows to express the amplitudes of the model as a first order phase space path integral, whose properties we consider. In particular, we study the asymptotic behavior of the path integral in the semi-classical limit. First, we compare the stationary phase equations in the classical limit for three different non-commutative structures corresponding to the symmetric, Duflo and Freidel-Livine-Majid quantization maps. We find that in order to unambiguously recover discrete geometric constraints for non-commutative metric boundary data through the stationary phase method, the deformation structure of the phase space must be accounted for in the variational calculus. When this is understood, our results demonstrate that the non-commutative metric representation facilitates a convenient semi-classical analysis of the Ponzano-Regge model, which yields as the dominant contribution to the amplitude the cosine of the Regge action in agreement with previous studies. We also consider the asymptotics of the ${\rm SU}(2)$ $6j$-symbol using the non-commutative phase space path integral for the Ponzano-Regge model, and explain the connection of our results to the previous asymptotic results in terms of coherent states.

The Ponzano–Regge Model and Parametric Representation

We give a parametric representation of the effective noncommutative field theory derived from a $\kappa$-deformation of the Ponzano-Regge model and define a generalized Kirchhoff polynomial with $\kappa$-correction terms, obtained in a $\kappa$-linear approximation. We then consider the corresponding graph hypersurfaces and the question of how the presence of the correction term affects their motivic nature. We look in particular at the tetrahedron graph, which is the basic case of relevance to quantum gravity. With the help of computer calculations, we verify that the number of points over finite fields of the corresponding hypersurface does not fit polynomials with integer coefficients, hence the hypersurface of the tetrahedron is not polynomially countable. This shows that the correction term can change significantly the motivic properties of the hypersurfaces, with respect to the classical case.

Divergences and orientation in spinfoams

We suggest that at least some of the large radiative corrections appearing in the spinfoam framework might be tied to the implicit sum over orientations. Specifically, we show that in a suitably simplified context the characteristic ‘spike’ (large-spin) divergence of the Ponzano–Regge model disappears when restricting the theory to just one of the two orientations appearing in the asymptotic limit of the vertex amplitude.

The Construction of Spin Foam Vertex Amplitudes

Spin foam vertex amplitudes are the key ingredient of spin foam models for quantum gravity. These fall into the realm of discretized path integral, and can be seen as generalized lattice gauge theories. They can be seen as an attempt at a 4-dimensional generalization of the Ponzano-Regge model for 3d quantum gravity. We motivate and review the construction of the vertex amplitudes of recent spin foam models, giving two different and complementary perspectives of this construction. The first proceeds by extracting geometric configurations from a topological theory of the BF type, and can be seen to be in the tradition of the work of Barrett, Crane, Freidel and Krasnov. The second keeps closer contact to the structure of Loop Quantum Gravity and tries to identify an appropriate set of constraints to define a Lorentz-invariant interaction of its quanta of space. This approach is in the tradition of the work of Smolin, Markopoulous, Engle, Pereira, Rovelli and Livine.

Path integral measure and triangulation independence in discrete gravity

A path integral measure for gravity should also preserve the fundamental symmetry of general relativity, which is diffeomorphism symmetry. In previous work, we argued that a successful implementation of this symmetry into discrete quantum gravity models would imply discretization independence. We therefore consider the requirement of triangulation independence for the measure in (linearized) Regge calculus, which is a discrete model for quantum gravity, appearing in the semi--classical limit of spin foam models. To this end we develop a technique to evaluate the linearized Regge action associated to Pachner moves in 3D and 4D and show that it has a simple, factorized structure. We succeed in finding a local measure for 3D (linearized) Regge calculus that leads to triangulation independence. This measure factor coincides with the asymptotics of the Ponzano Regge Model, a 3D spin foam model for gravity. We furthermore discuss to which extent one can find a triangulation independent measure for 4D Regge calculus and how such a measure would be related to a quantum model for 4D flat space. To this end, we also determine the dependence of classical Regge calculus on the choice of triangulation in 3D and 4D.

Holonomy observables in Ponzano–Regge-type state sum models

Observables on group elements in the Ponzano–Regge model are studied. These observables are shown to have a natural interpretation in terms of Feynman diagrams on a sphere and are contrasted to the well-studied observables on the spin labels. The physical interpretation is elucidated by showing how they arise from the no-gravity limit of the Turaev–Viro model and Chern–Simons theory.

A New Recursion Relation for the 6j-Symbol

The 6j-symbol is a fundamental object from the re-coupling theory of SU(2) representations. In the limit of large angular momenta, its asymptotics is known to be described by the geometry of a tetrahedron with quantized lengths. This article presents a new recursion formula for the square of the 6j-symbol. In the asymptotic regime, the new recursion is shown to characterize the closure of the relevant tetrahedron. Since the 6j-symbol is the basic building block of the Ponzano-Regge model for pure three-dimensional quantum gravity, we also discuss how to generalize the method to derive more general recursion relations on the full amplitudes.

Bubble Divergences from Cellular Cohomology

We consider a class of lattice topological field theories, among which are the weak-coupling limit of 2d Yang-Mills theory, the Ponzano-Regge model of 3d quantum gravity and discrete BF theory, whose dynamical variables are flat discrete connections with compact structure group on a cell 2-complex. In these models, it is known that the path integral measure is ill-defined in general, because of a phenomenon called `bubble divergences'. A common expectation is that the degree of these divergences is given by the number of `bubbles' of the 2-complex. In this note, we show that this expectation, although not realistic in general, is met in some special cases: when the 2-complex is simply connected, or when the structure group is Abelian -- in both cases, the divergence degree is given by the second Betti number of the 2-complex.

Asymptotic analysis of the Ponzano–Regge model for handlebodies

Using the coherent state techniques developed for the analysis of the EPRL model we give the asymptotic formula for the Ponzano–Regge model amplitude for non-tardis triangulations of handlebodies in the limit of large boundary spins. The formula produces a sum over all possible immersions of the boundary triangulation and its value is given by the cosine of the Regge action evaluated on these. Furthermore the asymptotic scaling registers the existence of flexible immersions. We verify numerically that this formula approximates the 6j-symbol for large spins.

The Ponzano–Regge model

The definition of the Ponzano–Regge state-sum model of three-dimensional quantum gravity with a class of local observables is developed. The main definition of the Ponzano–Regge model in this paper is determined by its reformulation in terms of group variables. The regularization is defined and a proof is given that the partition function is well defined only when a certain cohomological criterion is satisfied. In that case, the partition function may be expressed in terms of a topological invariant, the Reidemeister torsion. This proves the independence of the definition on the triangulation of the 3-manifold and on those arbitrary choices made in the regularization. A further corollary is that when the observable is a knot, the partition function (when it exists) can be written in terms of the Alexander polynomial of the knot. Various examples of observables in S 3 are computed explicitly. Alternative regularizations of the Ponzano–Regge model by the simple cut-off procedure and by the limit of the Turaev–Viro model are discussed, giving successes and limitations of these approaches.

Grasping rules and semiclassical limit of the geometry in the Ponzano–Regge model

We show how the expectation values of geometrical quantities in 3D quantum gravity can be explicitly computed using grasping rules. We compute the volume of a labelled tetrahedron using the triple grasping. We show that the large spin expansion of this value is dominated by the classical expression, and we study the next to leading order quantum corrections.

Ponzano–Regge model revisited: I. Gauge fixing, observables and interacting spinning particles

We show how to properly gauge fix all the symmetries of the Ponzano–Regge model for 3D quantum gravity. This amounts to doing explicit finite computations for transition amplitudes. We give the construction of the transition amplitudes in the presence of interacting quantum spinning particles. We introduce a notion of operators whose expectation value gives rise to either gauge fixing, introduction of time, or insertion of particles, according to the choice. We give the link between the spin foam quantization and the Hamiltonian quantization. We finally show the link between the Ponzano–Regge model and the quantization of Chern–Simons theory based on the double quantum group of SU(2).

Diffeomorphisms and spin foam models

We study the action of diffeomorphisms on spin foam models. We prove that in 3 dimensions, there is a residual action of the diffeomorphisms that explains the naive divergences of state sum models. We present the gauge fixing of this symmetry and show that it explains the original renormalization of Ponzano–Regge model. We discuss the implication this action of diffeomorphisms has on higher dimensional spin foam models and especially the finite ones.

Lattice Chern-Simons gravity via the Ponzano-Regge model

We propose a lattice version of Chem-Simons gravity and show that the partition function coincides with the Ponzano-Regge model and the action leads to the Chem-Simons gravity in the continuum limit. The action is explicitly constructed by the lattice dreibein and spin connection and is shown to be invariant under lattice local Lorentz transformations and gauge diffeomorphisms. The action includes the constraint which can be interpreted as a gauge fixing condition of the lattice gauge diffeomorphism.

Non-String Pursuit towards Unified Model on the Lattice

Non-standard overview on the possible formulation towards a unified model on the lattice is presented. It is based on the generalized gauge theory which is formulated by differential forms and thus expected to fit in a simplicial manifold. We first review suggestive known results towards this direction. As a small step of concrete realization of the program, we propose a lattice Chern-Simons gravity theory which leads to the Chern-Simons gravity in the continuum limit via Ponzano-Regge model. We then summarize the quantization procedure of the generalized gauge theory and apply the formulation to the generalized topological Yang-Mills action with instanton gauge fixing. We find N=2 super Yang-Mills theory with Dirac-K{a}hler fermions which are generated from ghosts via twisting mechanism. The Weinberg-Salam model is formulated by the generalized Yang-Mills action which includes Connes's non-commutative geometry formulation as a particular case. In the end a possible scenario to realize the program is proposed. The formulations given here are by far incomplete towards the final goal yet include hopeful evidences. This summary of the overview is the extended version of the talk given at Nishinomiya-Yukawa memorial symposium (Nishinomiya-city Japan, Nov. 1998).