Lecture abstract

Time:   29. May 2015
Place:   Institute of Physics
Title:   Covariant approach to quantum gravity (part 2)
Abstract:
The problem of quantization of gravity is one of the fundamental problems of modern theoretical physics. In the following three lectures we will describe the covariant method of quantization, based on the construction of the path integral for the gravitational field, and the spinfoam models emergent from the Loop Quantum Gravity program. The lectures are aimed at students, so the exposition of the material will be gradual, and we will assume only the most elementary knowledge of quantum field theory and general relativity. In the second lecture we will define state-sum models as one possible rigorous definition of a path integral. We will study its relationship with the Feynman's definition of the path integral in quantum mechanics, with spinfoam models in covariant LQG, as well as the elements of lattice QCD. A short mention will be given also to TQFT's and the relationships with topological invariants of manifolds, Pachner's theorem, and the relationship between topological and physical quantum field theories.